Checkpoint Ancillaries
reduce operator costs (by multiplexing Addressing Team-Based Threats
“elipsis.after separating out operators and systems). Remotely locating
operators will allow more screening lanes Improved data and checkpoint integration
computers, electronics, in a given area; saving on build costs while will present opportunities for improving
fewer distractions will improve the work passenger flow and information usage. To
liquids, shoes and environment and likely result in improved improve security, we need to evolve away
operator detection performance. from today’s bag-by-bag or passenger-by-
coats, the average passenger inspection process towards a
The Future system that can counter team-based
person ends up with attacks, where various threat components
Improving Secondary Search are distributed across multiple
four, five or even more In the ongoing effort to deploy better passengers (and/or their bags) and
technology for primary search, a key area assembled on-board the plane. Today’s
separate items for that needs to be considered is how to checkpoint would be hard-pressed to foil
handle greater rejection rates from such attempts.
inspection; if a 25% or primary to secondary search. For hold Through a radical departure from how
baggage, a 15-20% automatic false screening is performed today, data
more nuisance alarm alarm rate is considered good, especially collection and networking tools mean
for international flights. At the that, technically at least, flight-based
rate is likely, then on checkpoint, many of the same screening is feasible. The underlying
technologies need to find smaller hardware is mature enough – with large
average, each traveller quantities of more diverse threats and capacity storage and high-speed
configurations in bags and on computer networks readily available at
will have one item passengers, so the rejection rate is likely low cost. With passenger and inspection
to be significantly higher. data stored in a database, it should be
rejected, so basically Today in the US, after separating out relatively straightforward to sort the
computers, electronics, liquids, shoes checkpoint data by flight number. One
everyone will end up at and coats, the average person ends up or more inspectors could prioritise the
with four, five or even more separate passengers, inspect for suspicious
secondary searchelipsis” items for inspection; if a 25% or more items across different travellers while
nuisance alarm rate is likely, then on they are in the departure lounge. Any
average, each traveller will have one concerns could then be resolved at the
item rejected, so basically everyone will boarding gate.
hardware and software to acquire, end up at secondary search. Unless the Terrorists are becoming more
display and store the primary and industry improves or devotes more sophisticated in their attempts on civil
secondary search information as well as valuable resources to time-consuming aviation targets. Just adding more
passenger and bag details. The system secondary search or compromises on scanners to the checkpoint won’t be
handles the RDS function, but also detection, resolving rejected passengers sufficient. We need leadership, vision
collects, collates and stores bag and and bags will become the bottleneck, and “outside-the-box” thinking to adapt
passenger photos to allow better require more checkpoint space and our screening methods to the 21st
coordination of the various key aspects of become a greater customer-relations Century threat while improving the
the checkpoint screening process. X-ray problem. Hence, secondary search traveller’s experience.
operators categorise the location and improvements are urgently needed,
types of threat on-screen, allowing requiring new technologies and
operators to be remotely located yet still improved processes.
communicate electronically with Feeding forward data collected at
secondary search staff. Secondary primary search will improve secondary
search images, video and suspicious search efficiency and reengineering
object categorisation are stored for each systems that for various reasons are ill-
passenger, potentially enhancing the suited to primary search may help
security process as well as being useful secondary search. For example, Russia
for auditing and training. The open has used a Thermal Neutron Activation
communications architecture permits device made by RATEC Ltd. to resolve
boarding pass scanner data, other rejected bags. Also QR may prove useful The author is President of Wolff
passenger information (e.g. government for rapidly screening suitcase linings Consulting Services. With 25 years
issued ID) and new technologies to be and certain whole body imaging and experience developing and marketing
added in future. trace systems may resolve rejected advanced aviation security products, he
Applying integration and commun - passengers. Good process simulation helps technology companies with
ications technology should allow airports models can help identify and prioritise product development and worldwide
to improve their customer experience and the best solutions. marketing strategies.
34 Register now for FREE instant access to ASI online by visiting www.asi-mag.com February 2009 Aviationsecurityinternational
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