AI Monitors Dangerous Cargo in Brazilian Tunnels
New video intelligence software tracks hazardous materials in real-time to improve emergency response on the Tamoios Highway.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- May 01, 2026
A major transit artery in southeast Brazil has implemented artificial intelligence to monitor the transport of dangerous materials through its extensive tunnel network.
The Tamoios Highway (SP-099), a 50-mile route connecting the industrial hub of São José dos Campos to the coast at Caraguatatuba, now utilizes SecurOS Hazardous Cargo to track shipments. The highway traverses mountainous terrain and includes the longest road tunnel in Brazil, stretching 3.5 miles.
The system uses neural networking algorithms to identify international ADR standard plates on vehicles traveling at speeds up to 93 mph. By integrating this data into a video management platform, the highway’s concessionaire can maintain georeferenced tracking of every hazardous load currently inside the tunnel complex.
When a vehicle carrying dangerous goods is detected, the software logs license plate details, the specific product type and timestamps. This metadata allows the Operational Control Center to flag irregularities or trigger specific emergency protocols based on the chemical properties of the cargo.
In a recent incident involving a vehicle fire inside a tunnel, operators used the software to instantly identify the risks, halt traffic and guide the driver to safety.
Management plans to expand the technology to other strategic points along the corridor. Future applications include using the AI to detect potential chemical leaks before they reach environmentally sensitive creeks and streams near the roadway.
The technology was also recently deployed on the BR-101 logistics corridor in southern Brazil to enhance incident detection and operational efficiency.