Smiths Detection Introduces New Vehicle Screening Systems
Smiths Detection has launched two new screening systems, an ultra compact mobile system for vehicle checkpoints and a light vehicle screener for busy traffic checkpoints. The mobile HCVM e35 is suited for space constrained areas such as cities, ports, borders, airports and sporting events. The system can screen whole trucks, containers, and vehicles for threats such as explosives, drugs and contraband. Smiths says the HCVM e35 is available in two variants, offering mobile, pass-through and occupied vehicle scanning modes. The system features a 4MeV accelerator and can obtain X-Ray images through as much as 200mm of steel. The company has also introduced the medium-energy HCVL X-Ray scanner for screening light vehicles such as cars, vans, minibuses and camping vans for threats such as explosives, drugs, weapons, radioactive materials, contraband and stowaways. The system can scan up to 180 vehicles per hour and is offered as drive-through or conveyor system that can be integrated into existing road lanes or infrastructures. The HCVL also features a vertical-centric top view X-Ray, enabling screening of fully loaded vehicles.
Smiths Detection Launches Handheld Explosives Identifier
Smiths Detection has introduced the ACE-ID, a handheld chemical identifier for use with explosive ordnance division teams, bomb squads, hazardous materials technicians, and law enforcement officers. The contactless ACE-ID system, which is based on Raman spectroscopy technology, can identify explosives, drugs and toxic industrial chemicals in 20 seconds or less. Smiths says the system works on solids and water-based solutions contained in certain types of glass and plastics.
Unisys Installs Kiosks to ID Pedestrians Crossing U.S. Mexico Border in Cali
As part of its Land Border Integration (LBI) contract with Customs and Border Protection, Unisys [UIS] has helped the agency install an automated kiosk-based, radio frequency identification solution to speed the flow of pedestrian traffic in San Ysidro, Calif., the world’s busiest land border crossing. Unisys says the San Ysidro installation is the eighth pedestrian solution under the three-year old LBI contract, with the first implementation done at El Paso, Texas, in 2011. In the re-engineered pedestrian lanes, travelers crossing the border on foot will approach a kiosk and scan their RFID-enabled travel documents on electronic document readers. While the travelers proceed to the primary inspection area, information identifying the travelers is relayed to officers who determine if they are admissible into the U.S.
TCOM Says Border Patrol Evaluating Aerostats on Mexico Border
TCOM says the Border Patrol is evaluating its aerostat surveillance systems along key parts of the U.S. border with Mexico. The company says the Border Patrol is receiving its 17M and 22M tactical class aerostats and 38M operational class aerostats, to aid in detection and tracking efforts throughout the most highly trafficked areas along the border with Mexico. The aerostats can typically stay aloft for two weeks to a month at altitudes of up to 5,000 feet. The systems usually carry radar, video and communications systems with data transmitted to a ground control station via a fiber optic tether. TCOM, which is based in Maryland, has provided aerostat systems in support of U.S. and allied military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq for the past decade.
SITA Kiosks Deployed to Miami Airport for Self-Service Passport Control
SITA says Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has deployed 36 of the company’s kiosks at Miami International Airport for self-service passport control to process passengers arriving at the airport on international flights faster. SITA says the kiosks can process passengers in less than two minutes. “SITA’s kiosks are reducing wait times and making arrival in Miami faster and easier for international passengers,” says Maurice Jenkins, director of Information Systems and Telecommunications at Miami International. The kiosks are used by U.S. passport holders and returning Canadian passport holders. The systems scan the passenger’s passport, collect flight information and declaration data, take a photo and give the passenger a receipt that is presented to a CBP agent. “Miami International Airport is one of the first airports in the U.S. to offer self-service kiosks for international passengers,” says Paul Houghton, SITA President, Americas. He says other airports using similar technology have reduced wait times by up to 36 percent. SITA says additional kiosks will be deployed at the airport in 2014.