Automated Border Control Solutions

Due to the many interested parties involved the implementation of the ABC process is quite complex. However, this technology will most certainly be gradually introduced in the course of the next few years.

Due to the many interested parties involved the implementation of the ABC process is quite complex. However, this technology will most certainly be gradually introduced in the course of the next few years.

Automated Border Control is a next generation technology that will make it possible to speed up passenger border controls and to lighten the workload of border police, reducing personnel costs significantly.

German manufacturer Kaba Gallenschütz offers, within its wide range of products for airports, different types of interlock systems for Automated Border Control. These solutions allow registered passengers, such as frequent travellers, to pass through the checkpoints using an automatic identification system. The system consists of an interlocking sensor barrier ready to be equipped with a document reader outside and a biometric device inside the passageway. For this purpose, any standard document reader and biometrical device can be applied. As an additional feature, Kaba’s ABC system is equipped with an infrared sensor to detect that just one person at a time is inside the interlock – an essential requirement for reliable border control.

To cross the interlock, registered passengers place their passport or identity card on the document reader at the entrance to the checkpoint. Data is scanned from the document and after checking validity the passenger is allowed to enter the passageway through the first door. An infrared optical recognition system above the door checks that only one person at a time enters the passageway. Within the interlock area passenger identity is verified by a biometric device (fingerprint, iris, face recognition or any other standard system). Once identity is successfully verified, the second door opens automatically and the passenger can cross the border. If the system detects an error when verifying the passenger’s identity, the second door remains closed and the person can be encountered by an official at a checkpoint with manual passport control. Any attempt to pass the interlock without authorisation activates an optical or acoustical signal to warn border police, while the doors remain closed.

Kaba units for Automated Border Control are currently operating in a number of pilot projects in European airports. Today ABC technology is still in a testing stage and its wide application is coupled with the general introduction of biometric passports.


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