SWISSPORT, the international ground handling services company, has installed ICS 'Guard Black Box' in-cab computers in 60 of its vehicles at Heathrow, as part of its programme to fit the system in all its 250 vehicles fleet at the airport. The fitment follows successful trials of more than 10 vehicles by ICS Black Box engineers and comes despite recent controversy over the use of black boxes in vehicles.

The vehicles to be fitted range from cars and small vans, through minibuses and 7.5 tonne box trucks, to aircraft push-back vehicles and a 17-ton roller conveyor for container and pallet handling. The system provides driver identification, together with access prevention and vehicle identification if a driver is not on its approved list, as well as recording unauthorised disconnection of the in-cab computer.

The system features a report-writing facility for vehicle maintenance planning and the updating of service schedules. It also automatically monitors vehicle parameters including acceleration and deceleration, speed, engine revs and idling time of a vehicle for a few seconds before an incident.

A Swissport spokesman said the firm focused on safety when deciding to use the system. 'The overall objective is to provide the fleet with a comprehensive security system that will give complete control over driver and vehicles movements, as well as provide in-cab monitoring of vehicle parameters.'