Category: Security

airport

Heathrow Rolls out 3D Scanners to Streamline Airport Security

by James Gill, posted in Administration, Airports, Amenities, Facilities, Information Systems, Infrastructure, Security, Technology

Airports and airlines are employing new technologies to cut down on the wait times associated with air travel, from getting through security to lining up to board. One of the biggest time sinks that people usually experience at the airport is moving through the X-ray scanners in the security line. Now that many countries require people to remove most liquids from their carry-ons and have rules about how much someone can carry, these lines often get congested as travelers make sure they abide by restrictions and open up their luggage to remove items that need to go through separately.

3D Scanners Make It Easier to Process Checked Luggage

Luckily, airports may have a new strategy for streamlining the entire process. London-Heathrow Airport, the largest airport in the United Kingdom with more than 80 million passengers each year, recently introduced a 3D scanner as part of the baggage screening process at Terminal 5.

Terminal 5 handles about 60,000 bags each day. The baggage screening process, which is now completely automated, starts after a bag is dropped at departure. During the sorting process, bags go through an imaging process that essentially eliminates the need for human hands while remaining completely secure. Formerly, 2D images would necessitate significant human intervention to check through bags manually and ensure that no dangerous items are within, a process that also potentially puts employee lives at risk.

The new scanners work much like computed tomography (CT) scanners used in hospitals. The machine is essentially an X-ray scanner that takes many images at all angles to provide a 3D depiction of the contents of a bag. Using image recognition and human supervision, the machine flags suspicious items within a bag, and any flagged baggage is removed for further inspection before it makes it to the aircraft. Meanwhile, algorithms make it possible to identify explosives and other threats automatically.

The infrastructure at Heathrow had to be updated to accommodate the new machines, which are larger and twice as heavy as the former ones. This was difficult to carry out in a live airport, especially since floors had to be lifted and changed to support the new weight. In fact, it took Heathrow four years to update the 29 screening machines, largely because the majority of work could only be done during the four hours at night when flights do not occur.

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How the New Technology Will More Directly Benefit Travelers

Unfortunately, this technology may not exactly excite passengers, as they do not see the differences happening behind the scenes. What will benefit passengers more is bringing this 3D imaging technology directly to the security line, which is the project that Heathrow has taken on since the completion of Terminal 5.

Heathrow plans to use the same CT technology to scan hand luggage, which would eliminate the requirement of taking liquids out of carryon luggage. The technology makes it possible for staff members to zoom in on and rotate images of the contents of luggage for a more thorough inspection. The scanners can also effectively identify the specific liquids contained within the luggage.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently called upon airports throughout the United Kingdom to implement 3D scanners in airports by the end of 2022 in an effort to cut down on lines and wait times. The United Kingdom has restrictions on flying with fluids similar to those in the United States. If the new initiative significantly helps move passengers through the airport, as predicted, it would not be surprising to see the same technology adopted more widely in the United States in the coming few years. Already, O’Hare in Chicago and Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta have begun using the technology. Heathrow is the first airport in the United Kingdom to begin implementing CT scanners in security lines, a project that will cost approximately $61.5 million USD and take several years to complete.

The Potential Downsides of New 3D Scanning Technology

While the price tag may sound shocking, UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has asserted that aviation companies, rather than taxpayers, would collectively cover the costs of implementing this technology. However, there is always the possibility that airlines will increase their ticket prices to offset the cost. Some passengers may not mind paying a premium on their tickets to save themselves time spent waiting in line, but the technology meant to speed movement through the airport could also hurt overall sales, at least in the short term.

It is also worth mentioning that the new technology does not eliminate the ban on traveling with liquids in excess of 100 milliliters—instead, it prevents the need to remove the bottles from a bag. However, travelers would no longer need to house their bottles of liquids in transparent plastic bags.

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New Program Allows Travelers to Skip Airport Security Lines

by James Gill, posted in Airports, Passengers, Programs, Regulation, Security, Technology, Transportation

One of the top sources of stress at airports is security lines. An unexpectedly slow or long security line can put you at risk of missing your flight, which is why many people arrive at the airport very early. However, this often means spending an hour or more waiting at the terminal for the flight to board. Several different solutions have been offered to make this process quicker and more convenient. One option that has recently gained some traction is Clear. More than 3 million people have become members of Clear, which uses biometric data that enables them to move quickly through security lines. Clear members can use either their fingerprint or iris to prove their identity, which allows them to then move directly to the security bins after showing a valid boarding pass.

The Availability and Cost of a Clear Membership in the United States

Naturally, Clear will only come in handy if the airport that you use has the technology. In the United States, the Clear technology has already been adopted by more than 30 airports, a number that will likely grow in the coming years. Moreover, Clear is working to partner with other organizations besides airports. For example, Yankees Stadium and the Staples Center have already installed Clear booths at the entryway into the events that they host. Clear uses an encrypted code that corresponds to members’ data in order to verify their identity so that no other form of identification is needed at the airport. The biometric data from the Clear station is compared against a computer database in order to identify the traveler. With their identity confirmed, they do not need to show any further physical identification.

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Clear is not a free service. Currently, individuals must pay an annual fee of $179 to use the biometric scanners. While the price may be worth it for those who travel often or who simply value their time, the average traveler may find the cost to be a bit exorbitant, particularly if they arrive at the airport and there are no or few security lines, meaning that the service would have little value to them. However, if a security line is unexpectedly long, the service could mean the difference between catching and missing a flight. In addition, there are ways other than paying for a Clear membership to obtain access to the service. A number of airlines have partnered with the company to obtain free or discounted memberships for their frequent flyers, including Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.

Delta Uses Clear to Eliminate Another Step in the Security Process

Delta is taking its partnership with Clear a step further by removing yet another step in the process of boarding a flight. Customers flying on Delta with a linked SkyMiles account do not need to show their boarding pass when moving past security, as this information is linked to the biometric scan. The airline conducted a trial run on the system for several months before it went live. Through these trials, they found that the Clear system could successfully identify travelers and retrieve boarding pass information using their personal identity. The process saves individuals from having to dig into their pockets to find their boarding passes, going to the counter to print their passes, or downloading a mobile pass onto their smartphones.

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Currently, only Delta offers boarding pass verification, so members flying on other airlines will still need to show a physical or digital ticket. Since Delta has a stake in Clear, it makes sense that this airline is the first to develop this technology. In the future, travelers should expect to see Clear used at many other steps of airport identify verification, such as when checking their bags or entering a lounge. Using a fingerprint or iris scan will make the entire process safer and faster for customers. Delta has also worked to make Clear technology accessible to its customers. Delta Diamond members have access to Clear at no cost, and any person with a SkyMiles membership receives a reduced-cost membership, which may range from between $79 to $99 annually. This half-price deal may encourage many more people to purchase the service, which could drive its inclusion at new airports across the country.

The Risks Involved with Biometric Identification Services

Travelers considering Clear may worry about security, especially considering the debate over the use of facial recognition technology in airports. Clear makes information security a prime concern and works diligently to ensure that its systems are as safe as possible. After all, even this data could be used in harmful ways if it falls into the wrong hands. So far, no breaches have occurred with Clear, and the data sent remains heavily encrypted. Still, it is worthwhile to note that potential customers recognize the risks involved with biometric identification.

facial recognition

What You Need to Know about Airport Facial Recognition Technology

by James Gill, posted in Airports, Information Systems, Infrastructure, Security, Technology

Airports across the United States are quickly adopting new technologies to make the experience of flying as simple as possible for passengers. One of the technologies that is being adopted rather quickly is facial recognition, which has led some people to become rather hesitant about the implications of this technology. On the surface, facial recognition seems like a great way to speed up the process of flying. Already, on some flights you do not need to present any form of identification or even a ticket because a computer system verifies your identity based on your face alone.

A number of different airlines and airports are piloting this technology. JetBlue, for example, has already scanned 150,000 faces and used this information to verify international travelers on their flights. Delta has created a biometric terminal in Atlanta that uses facial recognition at check-in, baggage drops, security, and boarding. With this technology, flights are able to board nearly 10 minutes faster due to the time saved per passenger. While the convenience of this technology is obvious, the hesitation comes with the fact that the technology is largely unproven and involves storing personal information that could possibly be stolen in the future.

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Technology Could Be Used to Increase Security and Make Flights Safer

Facial recognition is an opt-in technology at airports that is only used for international flights. In other words, American citizens do not need to consent to having their faces scanned if they do not wish to do so. At the same time, trading in this personal information for an easier experience at the airport, which is already a stressful environment, sounds very alluring so it would not come as a surprise if passengers decide to jump at the chance to get through security faster. In the future, it is possible that such technology could be used to increase security and make flights safer, which would offer more reasons to participate, but as of right now the main question is one of convenience.

The fears of many people were confirmed recently when US Customers and Border Protection (CBP) announced that photos taken of travelers had been compromised in an attack on the organization. Officials said that the images stolen included ones of people’s faces, as well as their license plates. The attack was actually launched on a federal subcontractor, but it raises the question of how airports can implement technology like facial recognition if there is no guarantee that personal information, including a face scan, remains protected. The images stolen in this event were taken as part of border defense. While no passport nor travel document images were compromised, the event has raised concerns when it comes to facial recognition and travel.

How the Current Facial Recognition Model Works

Currently, facial recognition at airports occurs in a different way than it does with the technology that initially put it in the public spotlight: the iPhone. When someone uses Face ID, the process occurs internally over your iPhone, and Apple never receives any information. However, at the JetBlue e-gates, individuals can put their feet on blue markers and look toward a box that takes a picture and transmits it to CBP, which then reports back about whether or not the individual is cleared to board. The system has photos of travelers stored that it compares against photos taken at the gate, and these stored images come mostly from passports and visa applications. For this reason, the technology is only employed on international flights.

At present, the technology is perhaps not as reliable as it should be. While the research about it has been unofficial, it shows that a significant portion—up to 15 percent of passengers—were not approved when they should have been. Furthermore, one passenger was allowed through even while wearing sunglasses when they were trying to test the system.

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Some of the Kinks That Need to Be Worked Out

At the same time, people who do not match simply go through the normal process of having their passports checked by an agent, which is not a major disruption. However, this issue could become a bigger one if facial recognition is employed in many different places in an airport. Perhaps the real lesson here is that facial recognition software just needs to improve before it is more widely implemented at airports, particularly for domestic flights.

Another issue that still needs to be worked out is one of security. Given the recent data breach, it is possible that pictures used for convenience could become stolen. Technological improvements are only beneficial when security keeps pace with them and ensures that the convenience offered does not come at a price. Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how the conversation goes in the months and years ahead and what kinds of solutions are offered in terms of keeping data safe, as more airlines begin to adopt the technology.

artificial-intelligence

This Is How AI Could Improve Airport Security

by James Gill, posted in Administration, Airports, Facilities, Information Systems, Infrastructure, Security, Technology

Airports are quickly adopting a range of new technologies, from autonomous vehicles to artificial intelligence (AI), to improve passenger experiences and drive efficiency. One of the most significant ways in which AI is being implemented in airports has to do with security.

Across the globe, airports have implemented a number of new safety measures in recent decades because of emerging threats. In some instances, these measures have created significant delays when it comes to moving through the airport. As a result, the customer experience has suffered. This means airports are feeling mounting pressure to streamline the process as much as possible without creating any lapses in security.

Many airports, as well as the governments that back them, have looked to AI as a means of accomplishing the difficult feat of relieving wait times while maintaining strict security standards.

For example, the United Kingdom government recently invested 1.8 million pounds into the development of a new AI system in airports across the country. The Transportation Security Administration in the United States has implemented computed tomography (CT) scanners that implement AI to identify threats in several major airports. In other parts of the world, facial recognition has been implemented at customs and immigration stations.

These technologies do seem to have significant promise when it comes to improving security while minimizing wait times. Here’s how:

Machine Learning and Its Potential for Improving Security

AI

One form of AI that shows the most promise is known as machine learning. AI systems can become more “intelligent” as they receive more information. In terms of airport security, systems can become very good at identifying threats based on patterns and do so much more quickly than a human could. Machine learning has driven trust in AI-based systems a great deal in the past few years.

Industry experts believe that implementing machine learning in airports could help avoid the need to scan certain items separately, such as laptops and other large pieces of electronic equipment. Letting passengers leave these items in their carry-on luggage as they pass through security would eliminate a significant amount of the delay caused in security lines.

One system employing this technology has already been developed. Called the Evolv Edge system, it uses cameras, millimeter-wave technology, and facial recognition to detect threats while people move through a scanner. The system successfully ignores non-dangerous items, such as keys and belt buckles, while reliably identifying explosives, firearms, and other weapons and hazardous materials.

Up to 900 people can pass through the scanner in an hour, making it not only more reliable than a traditional x-ray scanner, but also much faster. Evolv Edge is already being used to screen employees at the Oakland International Airport. It is expected to be deployed at other international airports soon.

How AI Could Reinvent the Airport’s Approach to Security

AI has already made a significant impact on airport security through biometrics. In the coming years, this technology will likely become even more widespread. A recent report showed that more than three-quarters of airports had new biometrics programs in the works for the coming five years. While people mostly associated biometrics with face scans, fingerprints and retinal scans are also expected to grow in popularity because of their reliability.

Some researchers want to go even further with this technology and have broached the possibility of behavioral biometrics. For example, University of Manchester researchers have created a system that identifies individuals based on gait and walking patterns as they step across a pressure pad. Each person has a distinctive, singular walking pattern.

Another application of biometrics is already being tested. The iBrderCtrl project involves an AI program in which a virtual border guard asks standard questions to individuals in an immigration line. If the system believes that the passenger is lying because of facial expressions, the individual gets passed on to a human for further review.

Of course, there is the question of accuracy with such technology. Early implementation of iBrderCtrl had a success rate of 76 percent. The developers believe that tweaks will make it 85-percent accurate. However, this rate may still not be acceptable to some airports, at least not as a primary means of maintaining safety.

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The Challenges to Implementing AI-Driven Airport Security

Scrutiny of these systems remains high, especially after some prior failures. In the United States, $160 million was spent on body scanners that were later found to let serious threats through during undercover testing. Because of this, the standard is very high for AI technologies.

However, there is another hurdle that airports need to surmount: the amount of information collected by these systems, especially when it comes to biometrics. A great deal of information security is necessary to safeguard the privacy of passengers. In other words, while there is a lot of potential for AI in airport security, there are also significant challenges to overcome.