Next Generation Detection Solutions for Future Airport Baggage and Passenger Screening Operations

SPECIAL REPORT

Detection Solutions for Future Airport Baggage and Passenger Screening Operations Trusted Solutions. Experienced Support.

Why Airports Should be Upgrading their Hold Baggage Scanning Standard 3: A New Age for Screening CT Baggage Scans – A Giant Leap Forward The Future of Security and Detection

Published by Global Business Media

BECAUSE THERE’S NO TIME FOR DOWNTIME. The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) Deadline for Standard 3 is Fast Approaching As an experienced Standard 3 explosive detection systems (EDS) partner, we’re here to help. From understanding the unique needs of small airports to leading installations throughout large airport ecosystems, we have the ECAC-approved EDS technology, experience, and service support you need.

Connect with us today and discover how we’re helping leading airports successfully transition to Standard 3.

Visit: morphodetection.com/ATR1

Email: info@morphodetection.com CTX 98OO DSi™

Keep moving with Morpho Detection.

DETECTION SOLUTIONS FOR FUTURE AIRPORT BAGGAGE AND PASSENGER SCREENING OPERATIONS

SPECIAL REPORT

Detection Solutions for Future Airport Baggage and Passenger Screening Operations Trusted Solutions. Experienced Support.

Why Airports Should be Upgrading their Hold Baggage Scanning

Contents

Standard 3: A New Age for Screening CT Baggage Scans – A Giant Leap Forward The Future of Security and Detection

Foreword

2

Tom Cropper, Editor

Trusted Solutions. Experienced Support.

3

Morpho Detection, LLC.

Gathering the Right Data Choosing the Right System Published by Global Business Media

Proactive Service and Support

Published by Global Business Media

Supplier Partnerships

Global Business Media Limited 62 The Street Ashtead Surrey KT21 1AT United Kingdom

Why Airports Should be Upgrading 6 their Hold Baggage Scanning

Switchboard: +44 (0)1737 850 939 Fax: +44 (0)1737 851 952 Email: info@globalbusinessmedia.org Website: www.globalbusinessmedia.org

Tom Cropper, Editor

Publisher Kevin Bell

Market Pressures

Business Development Director Marie-Anne Brooks

Standard 3: A New Age for Screening 8

Editor Tom Cropper Senior Project Manager Steve Banks Advertising Executives Michael McCarthy Abigail Coombes Production Manager Paul Davies For further information visit: www.globalbusinessmedia.org The opinions and views expressed in the editorial content in this publication are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily represent the views of any organisation with which they may be associated.

Material in advertisements and promotional features may be considered to represent the views of the advertisers and promoters. The views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily express the views of the Publishers or the Editor. While every care has been taken in the preparation of this publication, neither the Publishers nor the Editor are responsible for such opinions and views or for any inaccuracies in the articles.

Business Is Booming Safety First

Jo Roth, Staff Writer

What Is It? Choosing a System Future Proofing

CT Baggage Scans – A Giant Leap Forward

10

James Butler, Staff Writer

New Technology Computed Tomography Takes Centre Stage Unprecedented Visual Quality A Revolution of Process and Protocol

The Future of Security and Detection

12

Tom Cropper, Editor

Futuristic New Tech Developing Metrics Tomorrow’s Technology Today

© 2017. The entire contents of this publication are protected by copyright. Full details are available from the Publishers. All rights reserved.

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DETECTION SOLUTIONS FOR FUTURE AIRPORT BAGGAGE AND PASSENGER SCREENING OPERATIONS

Foreword A

IRPORT BAGGAGE scanning is passing

Regulators are also demanding a change. Over the

through a transformative phase. With new

next couple of years, European airports will have to

technology becoming available and regulators

move to ECAC Standard 3 compliant systems. These

demanding more effective systems, airports in the

use computed tomography (CT) technology as a first

UK, Europe and around the world are updating to

line in the scanning process and will have a major

more sophisticated scanners, which can detect a

impact on airports. Making the transition will be far

much wider range of substances.

from straightforward and will need careful planning.

Doing so will be a challenge. New technology will

James Butler will then show how this latest CT

have to be incorporated in a way which enhances,

technology can deliver real improvements. It may not

rather than disrupts, existing security systems. In our

be entirely new, but it is now moving from a secondary

opening article, Morpho Detection explains some of

to primary line of defence.

the key considerations airport operators should be

Finally, we’ll look at some of the exciting

taking into account when planning and implementing

developments on the horizon now and into the

a new system.

future. The aviation industry faces some enormous

We will then look at why airports need to upgrade.

Traffic is expected to double over the next 20 years;

challenges. Advanced screening may well offer the answer.

terrorism is likely to continue to be a major problem, all of which will encourage airports to make a change.

Next generation baggage scanners offer faster processing times, lower error rates, and superior detection. They are safer, faster and more efficient.

Tom Cropper Editor

Tom Cropper has produced articles and reports on various aspects of global business over the past 15 years. He has also worked as a copywriter for some of the largest corporations in the world, including ING, KPMG and the World Wildlife Fund.

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DETECTION SOLUTIONS FOR FUTURE AIRPORT BAGGAGE AND PASSENGER SCREENING OPERATIONS

Trusted Solutions.

Experienced Support.

Morpho Detection, LLC. In the UK, many airports are getting their Standard 3- approved explosive detection systems (EDS) for hold baggage screening installed and operational before the 2018 deadline. Their advice to the rest of Europe facing the ECAC Standard 3 mandate for 2020 and 2022 is to start early and choose an experienced EDS supplier who understands the technology and operational needs for high-performing security solutions.

When London’s Heathrow Airport began trials to meet the mandate for Standard 3, they knew time was of the essence

W

HEN LONDON’S Heathrow Airport began trials to meet the mandate for Standard 3, they knew time was of the essence.

With increased passenger growth, getting the operational and detection benefits of Standard 3 CT EDS was a top priority. Starting in 2013, they went through a comprehensive tender process before selecting forty-five of Morpho Detection’s 9800 CTX DSi™ to screen all ingauge baggage in Terminals 1,2,4, and 5.

Today, these systems are being installed in phases. Along with other airports upgrading to Standard 3, this will help make the UK the first country outside of the United States and Israel to screen all bags using Computed Tomography (CT).

Why is choosing the right EDS solution so critical?

Passengers want to arrive safely, on-time and with their baggage intact. If an airport’s hold baggage screening equipment is not performing at optimum levels—screening high volumes of bags with low

false alarm rates – any delays impact the overall customer experience. The key: high-performing security systems, supported by experienced service teams. That’s why any selection criteria for an EDS supplier should include proven performance data, the supplier’s service reputation, and compliance with regulations.

Gathering the Right Data The first step to get started: gather a team of internal stakeholders to define the process parameters and technology requirements. What is the plan for the system—not just for today, but also how it needs to evolve in the next ten to fifteen years? With a plan in mind, airports then need to evaluate how upgrading to Standard 3 will impact their baggage handling system (BHS).

With the more advanced and powerful Standard 3 CT EDS machines operating at Level 1, security detection becomes the center of operations within the BHS. Selecting the type and number WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 3

DETECTION SOLUTIONS FOR FUTURE AIRPORT BAGGAGE AND PASSENGER SCREENING OPERATIONS

©2017, MORPHO DETECTION LLC

“When you’re doing a mass system integration and changing from one product to another, the sooner you start to make choices on your machines and decide how to integrate and interface those machines into existing systems, the easier it will be.”

Dan Haines, Senior Manager Service Delivery, Heathrow Baggage Operations, 74 989 914 PAX in 2015, installing forty-five 9800 CTX DSi™

of machines that will be needed provides critical information for many of the downstream decisions around conveyor lengths, queuing and tracking space, high level controls, and networks. This also allows for better coordination between all the stakeholders and BHS partners to integrate effectively into an airport’s infrastructure.

Choosing the Right System As part of the evaluation, key decision makers should travel to sites where the systems have been operational in a live environment and request data on performance, uptime, and failure points. Data on throughput, Level 1 alarm rates, Level 1 decision times, bag jams, operator alarms, operator decision times, mistrack rates, and network redundancies should also be collected. Another key question to consider: Is the product designed as a platform with the headspace and bandwidth to grow and expand as needs change, not only from a capacity but also from a detection standpoint?

At Morpho Detection, we have the benefit of drawing site data from more than 2,000 EDS units deployed worldwide and the experience of installing them in every kind of environment. Combining proven site data with an airport’s operational requirements lets us provide a series of solutions and products to meet specific needs and space requirements. Once manufactured in our facilities, our experienced teams then have the ability to install and integrate the systems in seven days.

Other key customer benefits include highresolution 3-D imaging from a single x-ray source, an efficient power consumption footprint, compliance with current regulations, and technology that can be upgraded for future standards. Built on a scalable platform, our CTX family includes CTX 9800 DSi at .2, .3 and .5 meters per second, depending on an airport’s needs for throughput. Additionally,

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for out of gauge and smaller spaces, we offer the CTX 5800TM running at .3 meters per second.

Proactive Service and Support With each machine containing complex electromechanical systems and components, a big part of the supplier evaluation should focus on service and support capabilities. This includes preventative maintenance tools and protocols, the ability to service in the field (without having to move the machine off-site), spare parts onsite, and the availability of trained, experienced engineers. Top performing service teams should be proactive, experienced, and demonstrate that they care about a customers’ operational environment. And, they should use data analytics, advanced diagnostics, and sensors to better ensure downtime can be planned for and scheduled.

Currently, the service teams at Morpho Detection support 90 percent of the world’s top twenty airports, with more than 400 field service engineers posted worldwide at or near major installations.

These field service engineers and technicians service both Morpho Detection systems as well as other manufacturers’ and competitors’ equipment. In either case, delivering the highest levels of service excellence is the top priority.

These teams are supported by a supply chain network of a hundred local depots and five distribution centres around the world. We’re proud that 50 percent of our fielded equipment has been in service for more than ten years, with some equipment installed, functioning and under service contracts for more than twenty years.

Supplier Partnerships Finally, many of the airports that have upgraded to the new systems have stated that having a trusted partner who collaboratively works with the airport’s ecosystem of suppliers has been a critical part

DETECTION SOLUTIONS FOR FUTURE AIRPORT BAGGAGE AND PASSENGER SCREENING OPERATIONS

©CHRISTOPHER JUE / SAFRAN

of the process. This provided confidence in a complex process that commitments would be met and any challenges overcome. With more than twenty-five years’ experience designing and implementing leading-edge detection solutions, we have a proven track record of success with all the BHS providers and major consultants.

To get additional best practice insights on selecting an experienced Standard 3 EDS partner, visit morphodetection.com or contact us at info@morphodetection.com.

The information, materials, and opinions contained in this editorial are for general information purposes and your convenience only. They are not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice and should not be relied on or treated as such. They do not constitute any guarantee and/or implied warranties. The appointment of a security provider shall be subject to further due diligence according to customer’s policies.

“Once the Standard 3-approved EDS system

With each machine

was up and live, we

containing complex

immediately saw a

electromechanical

massive improvement.

systems and

It’s now a far better

components, a big part

security experience

of the supplier evaluation

as well as a better

should focus on service

customer experience.”

and support capabilities

Al Titterington, Managing Director at Cornwall Airport Newquay, 250 000 PAX in 2015, installed one CTX 5800

©2017, MORPHO DETECTION LLC

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Why Airports Should be Upgrading their Hold Baggage Scanning Tom Cropper, Editor New technologies, more demanding passengers and increased regulations – just some of the reasons airports are updating their explosive detection capabilities.

The primary concern for any airport is passenger safety and, in a post 9-11 world, the prospect of international terrorism overcasts everything airports try to do

A

IRPORT OPERATORS face a difficult environment of new regulation, increased threats, growing traffic and tight finances. At the same time, new technology is becoming available which promises to substantially improve the performance of baggage systems.

While many will be cautious about making the investment, evidence shows it pays itself off many times over.

Business Is Booming The market for luggage scanning systems at airports is in rude health. Global Markets Insights placed the size of the market at over $2bn in 2015 and is estimated to grow at 5.7% CAGR between 2016 and 20231. This positive outlook stems from a belief that airports around the globe will be working to upgrade their hold baggage handling and scanning operations over the next few years.

Many are doing just that, building new infrastructure, training staff and purchasing new technologies. They are motivated by a combination of factors, such as increasing security concerns, compliance with regulation, passenger demand and the rise of new technology.

Safety First The primary concern for any airport is passenger safety and, in a post 9-11 world, the prospect of international terrorism overcasts everything airports try to do. Furthermore, there is concern that many existing scanning technologies are not sophisticated enough to identify every single threat.

In 2012, newly installed scanning equipment at Indian airports failed to identify explosive substances. The scanners used a mixture of X-Ray imaging and automatic intelligence to identify suspect packages. During the test, 6 | WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM

officials from the IB, RAW, SPG, NSG, BCAS and the civil aviation ministry passed bags containing six kinds of explosives such as PETN and ammonium nitrate, as well as IEDs through these systems, without raising an alarm2. The manufacturers argue that the fault lies, not with the technology, but with the staff who used it. Even so, the incident illustrates the limitations of many existing scanning systems.

Regulators have taken note and are putting pressure on airports to increase the quality of their baggage scanning. The most obvious example is in the EU’s requirement for all scanners to adhere to Standard 3 certification.

This will be investigated in more detail elsewhere in this Report, but achieving Standard 3 requires the use of advanced computed tomography detectors (CT) which have enhanced detection capabilities over and above conventional fixed X-Ray scanners.

As this technology becomes increasingly available, airports are updating their scanners to match. The benefits go much further than just safety – indeed they can help airports address many of the key challenges in the future.

The first is the rise in passenger numbers, which is already placing a strain on infrastructure. IATA’s long-term forecast predicts passenger numbers to double over the next 20 years3. International hubs are being stretched to and beyond capacity.

Even today, many airports around the world are operating at above capacity. A McKinsey report found that in 2013 Jakarta’s Soekarno– Hatta International Airport, which was designed for 22 million passengers, handled more than 53 million passengers. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, China, operated at nearly 20 percent above capacity in 20144. Congestion is a growing problem and impacts performance in a number of ways. On-

DETECTION SOLUTIONS FOR FUTURE AIRPORT BAGGAGE AND PASSENGER SCREENING OPERATIONS

time performance becomes harder to maintain; aircraft become harder to schedule. Airports are planning to expand, but even this will not be enough. Planned expansion is difficult and expensive. Heathrow’s Terminal 5 was over 20 years in development. Controversy still reigns over plans for a new runway. Physical, economic and environmental pressures limit the expansion potential of existing infrastructure.

The only option is for airports to become faster and more efficient in how they work. Every area of operations must play a role including baggage scanners, which will have to increase significantly the number of bags processed every hour.

The latest scanners can greatly accelerate the throughput of passenger belongings. They also reduce the risk of false alarms and are designed to be more durable with reduced maintenance requirements. As such, downtime is reduced, and turnaround time improved. Even savings of a few minutes here and there can help an airport increase the number of aircraft it can handle.

Market Pressures Airports face an increasingly demanding passenger. Today, most people have a choice of more than one international airport. They want their bags to arrive safely and intact at the right destination; if that does not happen, it impacts on their view of the airport and the air carrier.

They have shown a willingness to choose different hubs and carriers if they receive superior service.

In such an environment, the latest technology gives airports a competitive edge. By cutting out delays and expediting processing times, they can reduce waiting times, minimise the instances of lost bags and improve every passenger’s flying experience.

Lost baggage also creates a financial drain on companies. Every bag that goes missing costs and average of $100 to repatriate. That doesn’t take into account the reputational damage and the loss of future custom. The media regularly publishes accounts of the best and worst offenders for lost luggage.

There are numerous reasons why airports are updating their scanning systems. Their passengers want it, regulators want it and the market demands it. Furthermore, the technology is there and has the ability to deliver major improvements in terms of safety, efficiency, accuracy and speed. However, they will have to choose the right system and implement it in the right way. New technology will not only offer new functionality, but it will require changes in staff training, security procedures and much more.

Operators will need to understand what a system can do, how to work with it and feel reassured that it can indeed offer the performance gains they need.

The only option is for airports to become faster and more efficient in how they work

References: 1

Global Baggage Scanning Market: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/x-ray-security-screening-system-market-report

2

Airport Baggage Scanners Didn’t Detect Explosives:

http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/karnatakapoll08/story_page.php?id=1030278 3 4

IATA Forecasts Traffic to Double in 20 Years: http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2016-10-18-02.aspx Gridlock on the Ground: http://bit.ly/2lqn6PM

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DETECTION SOLUTIONS FOR FUTURE AIRPORT BAGGAGE AND PASSENGER SCREENING OPERATIONS

Standard 3: A New Age for Screening Jo Roth, Staff Writer There’s no time like the present – why airports should be embarking on the process of transition to Standard 3 as soon as possible.

A

This will bring a number of benefits, including faster throughput of bags, better image quality, elimination of false alarms and greater sensitivity of detection

BIG change is coming to airport baggage screening. Over the next couple of years European Airports will be required to upgrade explosive detection systems (EDS) to Standard 3. This will help airports streamline security processes, increase the number of bags being screened every hour and, more importantly, improve the detection success rate.

What Is It? Any EDS manufactured from September 2014 will have to conform to Standard 3 (tomographic).

Furthermore, existing systems will have to be updated to Standard 3 by 2020 and 2022. Here in the UK the process will start much earlier with Standard 3 applying from 2018 onwards. As such, the UK will be at the vanguard of change and will, in many ways, represent a testing ground for what is to follow in continental Europe.

This will bring a number of benefits, including faster throughput of bags, better image quality, elimination of false alarms and greater sensitivity of detection. In other words, it will make the process faster and better with an ability to detect an increasing range of threats. Bring in the change, though, represents a major upheaval and investment.

Construction can interrupt normal airport operations and there’s never a guarantee that a new system will enhance security in practice.

A failure of scanners at Birmingham Airport in May 2016, for example, caused delays of more than an hour1. New security checks implemented in Belgium in the wake of the 2016 terror attacks also caused delays2. New technology can experience teething problems and glitches which can compromise existing security operations and impact on the process of development.

For this reason, the process must start early.

The UK Department of Transport estimates it will take up to four years to implement, which means, if an airport has not already begun the transition,

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it already faces an uphill task. The exact process of change will also vary considerably from airport to airport, depending on factors such as location, size and the number of passengers.

Larger airports, for example, may benefit from a phased installation with construction work taking place in stages outside of peak operating times.

Smaller airports on the other hand, could use their off-peak periods as an opportunity to implement the transition in one go. Planning will be crucial.

Airports will have to meet with their supplier, discuss how the installation will proceed, how long it will take and what logistical adjustments, if any, will be needed.

Choosing a System Possibly the most crucial step will come in the choice of a system. The transition to Standard 3 has created a huge market opportunity for manufacturers of EDS products. A report from Homeland Security Research found that the airport security market is predicted to grow by CAGR of 7.4% between 2015 and 2022 driven by factors such as the growing importance of enhanced security features such as EDS, growing passenger volume, and the need to streamline processes and replace outdated systems.

With the EU now mandating the replacement of older systems, manufacturers are working hard to make their systems stand out from the crowd. It’s a seller’s market and the buyer can be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed with information3.

Future Proofing Selection should firstly be based on much more than just existing requirements, but also on future needs. This is an evolving landscape; the threat is ever-changing and so too are the demands from regulators. Before implementing a system, operators must meet with all parties to decide on what their requirements are and how these

DETECTION SOLUTIONS FOR FUTURE AIRPORT BAGGAGE AND PASSENGER SCREENING OPERATIONS

©2017, MORPHO DETECTION LLC

The transition to Standard 3 has created a huge

The best systems today

market opportunity for manufacturers of EDS products

would be those which provide a facility for easy

can be met in the medium and long term future.

To an extent, this means identifying future trends and threats ahead of time. This is, of course, easier said than done. The one thing history teaches us is the need to expect the unexpected.

Forward projections in 1999, for example, would not have taken into account how the landscape would change in a post 9/11 world.

The best systems today would be those which provide a facility for easy upgrade to keep up with future demands and regulatory changes.

The technology is developing rapidly, and airports will want to stay at the cutting edge to remain competitive. By doing so, airports will go some way towards future-proofing their installations to ensure they are fit for the next few decades rather than just the next few years.

Equally important is the level of service.

Customers are not looking for providers who just deliver the system and then leave. They are

looking for a comprehensive ongoing customer support service. Close collaboration between service provider and buyer throughout the process will be crucial. They are looking for a fully managed system which involves the longterm positioning of personnel on-site, ongoing training for airport staff and continued support.

Crucial to this will be a provider which has considerable experience and a demonstrable record of past success.

This is, then, a considerable undertaking, but it’s one which can help airports take a major leap forward in their security systems. 2020 may still seem long time off, but it’s never too early to get started. Those who do, can take advantage of all the benefits on offer much earlier and will have longer to iron out any teething problems. It is a major disruption, but with proper planning and implementation it can have a revolutionary impact on security protocols.

upgrade to keep up with future demands and regulatory changes

References: 1

Scanner Problems Cause Birmingham Airport Delays: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englandbirmingham-36192851

2

New Security Checks at Brussels Airport Cause Delays and Missed Flights:

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-attacks-belgium-airport-idUSKCN0XU17S 3

Global Airport Security: http://bit.ly/2lLTZcn

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DETECTION SOLUTIONS FOR FUTURE AIRPORT BAGGAGE AND PASSENGER SCREENING OPERATIONS

CT Baggage Scans – A Giant Leap Forward James Butler, Staff Writer Why the next generation of CT baggage scanners represents a revolution for airport baggage scanning.

W

The benefits offered

by CT technology are: automatic and accurate categorisation of threats, faster clearance rates, improved detection and reduced instances of false alarms

HEN BRISTOL Airport embarked on a £24 million terminal extension, it included an extensive upgrade of its hold baggage systems. For Bristol, as with many other airports, this move is partly designed to meet government mandates for more sophisticated baggage scanning solutions.

However, next generation technologies such as this can do much more than just facilitate compliance. When implemented correctly, they can offer a huge leap forward – one which can help airports meet the formidable challenges of modern aviation.

New Technology Bristol will roll out the new systems, supplied by Morpho Detection, over the next two years. In September 2018 five high speed CTX 9800 will screen all in-gauge hold baggage. Meanwhile, a compact CTX 5800 will screen all out-ofgauge hold baggage. In addition, they will take advantage of an onsite service network for the next ten years.

Commenting on the move, Fraser Drury, Head of Engineering at Bristol Airport said: “Bristol airport is committed to leveraging the most effective technologies and solutions to ensure high standards of security are maintained with minimal impact on passengers. Working with Morpho Detection helps ensure continued regulatory compliance as we develop and enhance our terminal infrastructure1.”

Computed Tomography Takes Centre Stage The new installation is an example of the sophisticated hold baggage scanning solutions being introduced in airports around the world. They rely on CT tomography to deliver unparalleled results. Each device comprises a hollow tube in which the bag sits. An X-Ray mechanism revolves slowly around the bag and 10 | WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM

displays data in a 3D tomograph – or slice – of the bag contents. It can calculate the mass and density of individual objects. If the mass and density falls within the range of a dangerous material, the scanner alerts the operator who can separate the bag for inspection. Operators can rotate the image to view from any angle; they can clear obstructions and have a much better chance of accurately identifying objects and materials.

The comparison with old fashioned 2D scans is remarkable. These use X-Rays to measure the mass and density of an object. The image is produced by measuring the reduction in density of the X-Rays as they pass through an object. The results are then displayed in a two-dimensional image with different colour levels to denote different substances.

The result is a much lower quality image than 3D scans. Operators struggle to differentiate between objects and they need to separate more bags for checking, which takes time and effort. More importantly, it can fail to identify some explosives.

The benefits offered by CT technology are: automatic and accurate categorisation of threats, faster clearance rates, improved detection and reduced instances of false alarms. Airports such as Bristol hope this technology can detect substances which would have previously been missed. For example, a piece of explosive moulded into a thin sheet and folded inside a laptop is the reason we can’t take laptops in our hold baggage and why we have to take them out for inspection when passing through security.

Experiments using CT scans have successfully identified this type of threat2.

Unprecedented Visual Quality CT technology is not entirely new in airport security, but what’s changing is the sophistication of the images and the way it is being used.

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©2017, MORPHO DETECTION LLC

Morpho’s CTX line is an example of just how far the technology has progressed. It uses Clarity Data Acquisition technology to produce unparalleled levels of clarity. The images come in HD and 3D, giving operators a clearer than ever view of luggage contents. Morpho Detection’s high resolution EDS fits any airport size, works with any baggage handling system and copes with increased passenger volumes today’s busy airports demand.

They enable systems to meet ECAC Standard 3 categorisation, which sees CT scanning technology used as part of primary scanning.

That’s a significant jump forward over traditional Standard 2 systems which currently operate on a method designed to process the majority of lowrisk bags without any problems. Any bags which are flagged are only then sent to a CT device for more detailed examination.

Standard 3 systems bring the CT scanning right to the forefront as part of the primary scanning process. They can do this because the latest systems feature much faster CT scanning capabilities. A White Paper by the Buemer Group found that ‘in general the Standard 3 dramatically improves the screening process by reducing the

number of rejected bags and combining stages one and two3.

A Revolution of Process and Protocol However, much depends on how staff use the new system. Staff who are used to working on Standard 2 devices will need time to adjust to Standard 3.

Staff will require some training but will quickly realise the benefits from their new systems. As such, a key factor is the ongoing service and support on offer. Developers are not simply selling a product and moving on, they are developing an ongoing relationship with the end-client to ensure the system realises its full potential.

This is, then, a revolution both of technology and process. It will require a change in the way staff are trained and security protocols are managed. It will also lead to a shift in the relationship between manufacturer and the end-provider. Now, and in the future, it will be a much deeper, ongoing and collaborative process. It’s an approach which works well for all parties. The airport maximises the potential of each new system while the developer can show their innovations off to maximum effect.

Staff will require some training but will quickly realise the benefits from their new systems

References: 1

Morpho Detection Wins Bristol Airport Contract: http://bit.ly/2m1ZMLG

2

New Airport Scanners Make Security Faster and Safer: http://bloom.bg/2m1R9kq

3

Assessing the Impact of ECAC on Baggage Handling Systems: http://bit.ly/2mChfqR

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DETECTION SOLUTIONS FOR FUTURE AIRPORT BAGGAGE AND PASSENGER SCREENING OPERATIONS

The Future of Security and Detection Tom Cropper, Editor How Airport Security operations will be transformed over the next few decades.

A It is possible to draw up metrics based on data such as the number of dangerous objects discovered, a reduction in false alarms and the results of secret testing

IRPORTS AROUND the world are investing huge amounts of money into updating their security measures. While coping with the existing demands of modern aviation represents one challenge, making sure those changes are future-proofed for coming decades is quite another. The aviation industry is constantly changing as is the threat landscape. More technologies are entering the market all the time, which means airport operators will always be presented with a host of new solutions.

Futuristic New Tech Scanner technology is advancing rapidly. In the USA, for example, a new high tech body scanner which uses artificial intelligence to scan and identify dangerous objects is being trialled.

It’s a solution which could be positioned at the entrance to an airport or a train station to perform a security sweep with minimal interruption to the flow of traffic1.

CT scanners have had a major impact since their introduction and are now standard across most airports in the world. However, there is more technology to come and it is developing rapidly. Real time tomography has the potential to revolutionise the experience by offering ever clearer, and more detailed images with the option to view in three dimensions. Smarter lanes and automated check-in screens can all do a lot more to speed up the process and reduce queues.

The list of solutions is almost endless which can be seen as a positive or negative depending on one’s chosen outlook. On the bright side, competition spurs innovation which, in turn, pushes the entire sector forward. On the downside, too much choice makes it difficult to make the right selection.

Developing Metrics That choice is not made any easier by the difficult challenge of developing clear and reliable 12 | WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM

metrics to determine performance. Part of the problem remains assessing the true level of threat. Public perception of the threat levels is high.

However, there have been few terrorist attacks in the mainland USA since 2001. Does this mean security measures are having the desired result or is the perceived threat level simply too high?

It’s a difficult question to answer.

There are factors which can be assessed. Over the past year, attacks have focused on softer targets in areas which are difficult to protect. The Brussels attacks saw suicide bombers attack the public areas without security measures in place; similarly, the Turkish attacks occurred in public areas as did the suicide car bomb at Kabul Airport. Indeed, looking at all the terrorist attacks worldwide, the overwhelming conclusion is that, in the majority of cases, airport security measures could have had little impact because terrorists had switched their attention to those areas before security.

If terrorists are aiming at softer targets, check-in security would seem to be successful in general terms at the very least. However, that still does not provide detailed information on how effective individual security measures are.

It is possible to draw up metrics based on data such as the number of dangerous objects discovered, a reduction in false alarms and the results of secret testing. However, this does not take into account the fact that the existence of security measures in themselves serve as a deterrent. There is scope, in some senses, for big data to analyse those attacks which do occur and cause the most casualties to identify a correlation with a certain security measure.

The nature of attacks can also be a guide.

As explosive substance detection capabilities have increased, terrorists have switched their attention to smaller packages which are more difficult for existing scanning devices to detect.

It’s another indication that as the technology to

DETECTION SOLUTIONS FOR FUTURE AIRPORT BAGGAGE AND PASSENGER SCREENING OPERATIONS

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protect airport improves, terrorists are being forced to alter their approach.

Tomorrow’s Technology Today The development of new technology requires a certain amount of crystal ball gazing. How will the market evolve? What will the terrorist threat of the future be like? How many people will pass through major airport hubs every day? Before choosing a new system, airport operators must develop a clear picture of what they think the airport of the future will be like. Once they have that, they can work to put in place the security mechanisms they feel will be necessary.

IATA’s Checkpoint of the Future2 sets out a roadmap through which new technology will be introduced over the next few years.

By 2020 IATA envisages a system in which passengers will be able to move through security seamlessly without interruption unless there is a problem, thanks to advanced screening technologies. Big data will be used to apply individual risk assessments to each passenger and a known traveller program can be used to fast track those passengers viewed as zero risk.

Alternative methods of explosive detection will be incorporated into front of house security processes. In the short term, this can include

liquid explosive detection systems which can be incorporated at the checkpoint where possible as well as multiview and multi energy X-Ray technology. In the medium term, it will move to the screening of liquids without removing from luggage, increased automation in the detection of explosives and dynamic adjustment of equipment sensitivity. Finally, it will move to remote screening technology, enhanced automated detection of explosives, the screening of electronic equipment without removing from luggage and the use of dynamic risk assessment algorithms.

IATA’s document serves as a useful roadmap detailing where it expects airport security to go in the future and how it can get there. Operators can therefore make incremental gains while bearing in mind the updates that may come further down the line. It’s a great opportunity to develop a comprehensive short and long term plan to ensure security remains as tight as it possibly can be. In doing so, it represents a shift towards a more proactive approach which looks ahead to new threats and technologies rather than reacts to events as and when they unfold. The result will be a security system which wastes less time, improves safety and makes for a much better flying experience for everyone.

Big data will be used to apply individual risk assessments to each passenger and a known traveller program can be used to fast track those passengers viewed as zero risk

References:

1

Airport Body scanners:

http://www.alphr.com/security/1004638/america-is-using-ai-to-transform-airport-body-scanning 2

Checkpoint of the future: https://www.iata.org/whatwedo/security/Documents/cof-executive-summary.pdf

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