then uses this information to
determine whether goods need
examination or not. Should
the agency determine that a
shipment is a risk, then ACAS
returns a Do Not Load status
for the shipment and allows for
physical screening to take place
before cargo is consolidated or
loaded on to an aircraft.
Help, though, is available
through CHAMP’s TRAXON
Global Security service, which
offers carriers and forwarders
the ability to send their
consignment data as CargoIMP
FWB and single HWB FHL
messages to TGS in advance of
their loading. This simplifies
the complexity of message
exchange with partners
whilst increasing operational
efficiency. It also saves time,
and reduces the risk of security
“holds”. The measure will also
be compliant with future PLACI
legislation in other regions,
including European Union
Pre-Loading Consignment
Information for Secure Entry
(PRECISE), and Canada’s
Pre-Load Air Cargo Targeting
(PACT).
they have several screening
methods available but there are
no rules with regard to which
method should be picked.
Moreover, stakeholders are not
always made aware of what is
the most suitable method with
regard to their business model
- so it makes the situation even
more difficult. As for flaws
in the system (something,
perhaps, that anyone engaged
in the sector is unlikely to
wish to comment on), Ouakli
mentions that in his view, at
least, there are only challenges:
this is down to the lack of
global harmonisation for air
cargo security programmes, as
already alluded to.
Further ahead
So should the sector be looking
to the next generation of
detectors?
Instead of discussing the
next generation of screening
equipment, Ouakli believes that
we should be focussed more
on how to use, deploy and
be efficient with the current
screening methods that are
available. He declares that the
industry should implement
multi-layer approaches instead
of always looking for the fabled
silver bullet. It would be more
efficient to deploy more low
cost filters first, such as the
current cargo metal detection
and X-ray transmission
equipment, that allow an
operator to rapidly process a
fair amount of freight. Then it
would be possible to send only
a small percentage of goods
to more expensive screening
methods, concurrently
reducing their use and the
expense they generate.
what extent is this a hurdle for
airports and other users?
previous point, there is
unfortunately no security
screening silver bullet, namely
one single piece of equipment
or one single method which
permits the screening of
absolutely everything with
sufficient efficiency. All
methods have their advantages
and limitations - and this is
why they are so numerous.
However, the need for several
SEEING MORE, NOT LESS
And what about cost: to
“To come back to my
With the world on a state of heightened alert, dangerous
object detection is crucial. Specialists like Smiths Detection
have come into their own – and the company has now
added weapon detection to the innovative iCMORE family of
smart and adaptable object recognition algorithms. iCMORE
offers automatic detection of an ever-expanding list of
dangerous, prohibited and contraband goods. It provides
invaluable support for security operators, customs officers
and other controlling authorities.
iCMORE is designed to identify threats and help combat
the movement of unsafe, undeclared or illegal goods.
“In doing so, it reduces the burden on image analysts
and increases efficiency and detection accuracy,”
commented Matt Clark, VP Technology and Product
Development. “The number of detectable items will
continue to grow, along with the range of systems offering
methods, as outlined, does
indeed imply a high cost of
investment. Most air cargo
screening facilities need to
bear this cost without having
the guarantee of return on
investment; and this in an
industry that is defined by its
low margins.”
Freight compliance:
the deadline is looming
In June last year, the US
Customs and Border Protection
agency published a ruling about
freight destined for the US.
It demanded that all cargoes
had to be reported before they
were loaded on to an aircraft.
At that time the agency stated
that it would take a “common
sense approach” towards
enforcement: this meant that
no damages claims would be
issued for the first 12 months
of the ruling. As from June, it is
anticipated that any violation
will, however, trigger a claim
for recompense.
ACAS requires that
several key data elements of
a shipment are submitted
prior to loading. The agency
the various algorithms. Following the introduction of lithium
battery detection in 2018, weapon detection is the latest
option to go live. We plan to expand the iCMORE family to
include other illegal or dangerous goods.”
Offering automatic detection of handguns (pistols and
revolvers), gun parts, flick and fixed-blade knives (with a
minimum length of six centimetres), the weapons module
was developed for use in a range of applications, such as
aviation passenger checkpoints, critical infrastructure
protection, prisons and customs. It is available for the
HI-SCAN 6040aTiX and HI-SCAN 6040-2is scanners. A
weapons algorithm for the HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX has also
been developed and is now ready for customers to trial.
This weapons kit is offered as an option on new
systems or as an upgrade. Potential threats are framed
and shown on the main system screen in tandem with
the images from the explosives detection scan. The
supplementary function does not affect any regulatory
certifications or approvals.
Deep learning is fundamental to artificial intelligence
and Smiths Detection took this approach in developing the
weapons algorithm.
It collaborated with customers to build a huge library
of images from which the algorithm could learn. However,
conventional methodology may also be employed in future
to create iCMORE modules for the detection of substances
which do not present in consistent forms or shapes,
including items such as drugs or currency.
Aimed mainly at the cargo sector, lithium battery
detection is also available for the HI-SCAN 100100V-2is and
100100T-2is. Other scanners will follow in due course for
both the lithium battery and weapons module.
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