Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has begun the installation of new Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) technology to 354 vehicle lanes at 39 major land ports of entry along the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico. Unisys [UIS] is supplying the RFID technology which will work with new travel documents, such as the Passport Card and Enhanced Drivers’ Licenses, by reading a unique number on the cards that quickly brings up information on a computer display about the cardholder as the person nears an entry gate. CBP says that so far the State Department has received over 300,000 passport card applications and that the department will be incorporating RFID technology into the next generation Border Crossing Cards. The agency also says that Washington State, which began producing the EDL in February, has issued over 17,000 of the licenses. The RFID readers are supposed to help reduce traffic congestion at high volume border crossings.
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