Terahertz screening tech reduces airport throughput time

https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/terahertz-screening-tech-reduces-airport-throughput-time-2019-08/

By David Manners

Sales of equipment used to screen people for explosives, weapons and contraband will grow at 6.6%  between 2018 and 2023, says IHS Markit.

Emerging technologies, including millimeter and terahertz waves, are being used for passenger screening at airports.

These technologies now promise to increase security in other applications and better protect visitors at large event venues and in open areas.

Public transport and event security face many challenges, with suicide bombings, public-area shootings and knife attacks now more likely than ever.

Traditional event security has focused on manual searches of bags or the use of bag X-ray scanners and metal detectors.

X-ray bag scanning and metal detection are time-consuming processes.

In the case of public transportation hubs, security is provided by CCTV and monitoring to spot threats.

However, operators will not be able to spot all unusual behaviors, and they will not be able to assess whether a suspicious situation involves explosives.

Open areas are even more difficult to protect, prompting work on equipment as part of a concept of stand-off detection, where scanning for explosives or contraband can be performed at a distance from the potential source.

Terahertz technology, specifically, offers a solution to these challenges by allowing the scanning of a large number of people without requiring them to stop for a security check. This is particularly vital for high-throughput areas such as train stations or open areas.

Even though the detection process is more challenging due to high speed of people’s movement, machine learning and analytics can help improve the accuracy of the detection process.

This will help reduce false alarms, which can be a particular challenge in such complex environments.

Terahertz devices are also small enough to be located in inconspicuous, strategic spots around the area, which can help extend the security perimeter away from the most sensitive parts and avoid impeding the flow of people.

Another benefit of terahertz devices is that they do not emit radiation, and instead only read gaps in natural radiation emitted by human body.

This is an important factor in addressing concerns over long-term safety of exposure to various types of radiation.

Deployment of people-screening devices in non-traditional applications such as event venues and public transportation stations is likely to elicit controversy and may inadvertently create a feeling of panic.

Even though the industry has successfully managed to commercialize terahertz technology, its practical application may require much more testing before wider deployment is possible.

Also, in case of a positive detection, the details of operational response by police or security services would have to be carefully elaborated to prevent panic and disruption.

False positives and negatives can be particularly problematic in public transportation settings as people usually rush for trains to get to workplaces and appointments.

Any further disruptions to their journeys would have a negative impact on the railroads’ business and customer satisfaction, with the disruption being blamed on the train companies.

Also, terahertz devices cannot be treated as a panacea for the expected threats. Furthermore, if there is a false negative detection that results in an incident, the backlash against the technology may be significant.