The aviation industry takes airport safety and security very seriously. However, this mindset can result in excessive wait times and significant frustration for travelers. As luck would have it, there are several changes in the works, as technological advances aim to make the airport experience smoother and quicker.
improve airport safety
Here are different ways that help improve airport safety and they help make the daily processes much easier to use for airport employees and passengers.
1. Powerful Body Scanners
One precaution going through the trial stage is a very powerful walk-though passenger scanner which will recognize potential hidden threats without passengers needing to stay still or remove items of clothing.
The system was recently tested at Cardiff airport. And it has the potential to not only improve security but additionally speed up the whole passenger security process.
The scanner images people’s body heat and utilizes computer learning to tell the difference between something that’s a threat and something that is not without passengers having to stop or standstill.
2. Countering Drones
Drones flying around airports (which we’re progressively seeing) not only cause disruptions but also potentially very serious security risks.
An incident at Gatwick airport in late 2018 showed how much chaos can be caused by one drone flying close to an airport. Unsurprisingly then, aviation authorities are viewing numerous options to deal with this issue.
The many possibilities include enforcing stricter regulation over the drone industry as a whole. Or perhaps forcing drones to comply with geo-fencing, where internal GPS stops the drone from entering restricted areas.
3. The introduction of E-Passports
E-passports are one of the most important large-scale airport security advances in recent years. E-passports (also referred to as biometric passports) have been rolled out across the united kingdom, with the first one issued way back in 2010. All new British passports are issued in this format, so it certainly seems to be here to stay.
The passports contain a chip that will be scanned by automatic machines at airports around the world. This considerably reduces the amount of work that has to be carried out by airport employees. These passport chips additionally eliminate the likelihood of human error in the process, guaranteeing that airport security runs not only faster but safer too.
4. Facial Recognition Software
Facial recognition software is one of the new security features that many people are already acquainted with. for instance, e-passport machines scan your face to establish whether or not it matches the one within the passport that you present.
However, this process is only in its infancy. A related innovation would enable an individual to check in, drop off luggage, and even board a flight without having to show a passport.
Instead, the technology scans the passport chip and utilizes facial recognition cameras throughout the airport to verify the person’s identity. The individual passes through security automatically as their face is recognized by scanners.
5. Physical Security Measures
In the rush to become more technologically advanced. Proper physical security measures are a requirement for airport safety to keep passengers and employees safe at all times.
6. Terahertz Screening
Terahertz screening is another vital technology that has the potential to revolutionize the airport industry. British business Thruvision is at the leading edge of this technology. Which works by sensing heat emissions from an individual’s body to check for hidden objects.
Some have suggested that this could present a health risk. However, Thruvision has argued that the devices don’t use artificial illumination, which makes them safe.