How the EMEA security screening equipment market is at the forefront of technological advancement due to regulatory and customer demands, compared to its US counterpart; by Peter Kant, pictured, Executive Vice President at Rapiscan Systems.
As demand for security screening technology has increased, the companies that produce and operate it have seen rapid business growth. But this growth seems to be slowing in the United States and these companies are increasingly looking to sell their latest technologies outside the US, particularly to European Union (EU) customers. EU regulatory requirements are also encouraging these companies to develop new technologies and techniques to make the aviation security screening process even safer and ever faster.
Take Rapiscan Systems; the company produces a range of security technology including the cargo and baggage scanners used by, amongst others, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Rapiscan has also provided security screening technology at many of the recent Olympic Games, including at London 2012 and Beijing. After years of growth the company is currently seeing fewer opportunities for new work in the United States. In contrast, in the Europe, Middle East and African (EMEA) region, security screening prospects are growing again, which is not only good for passengers and air travel but good for the airport security industry.
The demand for air travel and air cargo screening is increasing, and with growing passenger numbers inevitable, companies in this field are looking to sell their latest technology to the EU where regulations allow, and even demand, the early adoption of more advanced screening technology.
For example, the relaxation of the Liquids and Gels (LAGs) restrictions, planned to change by January 2014 and the Explosive Detection Screening (EDS) deadline for Hold Baggage in September 2014, is really driving growth the EU market. Security scanners that are approved and certified as European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) type B and C, such as the Rapiscan 620DV certified as type C, are much more likely to be deployed in the EU than in the US. There is some concern, especially with the upcoming LAGs deadline, that passengers may be ill-informed about the reasons behind the relaxation. However by preparing and distributing the correct information, the end result is positive and leads to more passenger freedom.
The continuous rise in demand will only heighten the need to incorporate radiation detection technology into the air cargo security screening process, and solutions such as the Rapiscan 638DV encourage and support this. The Rapiscan 638DV is an advanced Dual-View X-ray screening system for ULD type, ISO standard, lower deck and large cargo pallet type freights. It uses innovative dual-view technology to generate a horizontal and vertical view of the object under inspection. By providing two views simultaneously, the Rapiscan 638DV provides a more complete perspective of scanned items, regardless of their orientation in the X-ray system. This reduces the need to reposition and re-scan pallets, thereby improving detection and increasing speed of throughput.
Another aid that is used to accelerate the scanning process without jeopardising safety is Rapiscan’s security solution “Target”, which uses proprietary detection algorithms that perform a material analysis of a scanned item. By gathering data such as atomic number, mass, size and other properties of the scanned materials and comparing this information to the known characteristics of threat items such as explosives, Target is able to identify potential threats accurately.
There are of course, other market opportunities with the growth of technology and desire for customers to heavily protect their borders in the EU. The ECAC standard 3 for explosive threat detection is a key driver for security equipment growth. The recent certification of Rapsican’s RTT110 (Real Time Technology) Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) system is yet another advance which encourages airports to up their game. With the scanner able to provide detailed 3D images of hold baggage at a speed of up to 1800 bags per hour, it is reassuring that airports will be able to cope with growing passenger numbers and remain at their highest security standard.
With the European regulations for hold baggage screening getting set for change as of September 2014, when all European airports will need to have Standard 3 certified equipment if they want to install a new HBS system, it is vital that airports adopt screening solutions that will not have a negative impact on operations. The benefit is the speed at which bags will be scanned using technologies such as the RTT110, whilst many US airports are only scanning at 500-600 bags per hour, this technology will enable airports in the EU to scan much faster. Clearly there is a massive incentive for security equipment companies to embrace this EU regulation. The demand is heavy for an improvement in speed and accuracy at airports and the technology is now available to meet the EU standards and scan at higher speeds. Receiving standard 3 certification will be compulsory for all hold baggage systems as of 2019, and every EU airports needs to be ready for this change.
Not only will this change support the advancement of regulatory and customer demands, it will also offer greater advantages to travel around the EU, and give US companies such as Rapiscan the incentive to continue developing their technologies and to deploy these outside of America.
The US may still be behind with liquids, but Europe and other regions are demonstrating demand for the latest technology. Technology has also been developed beyond just identifying radiation, but differentiating legitimate sources from potential terrorist material. This advance speeds up identification and may pose questions of accuracy vs. speed, the internal research, which is internally funded, is constantly developing and promising positive results.
Europe has leapt ahead in regards to growing with their passengers and technology. The regulations, which can be tough for security equipment providers to keep up with and add pressure to airports, are something of a positive for the security equipment market. The regulations may change, but technology continues to improve and fit in with these movements therefore the market has a great opportunity to get a head start in Europe.
