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November 10, 2009 EDS PrimerDefinition of EDS
Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) is a term generally reserved for machines that have passed the most rigorous certification tests by local regulators. In the U.S. the certification of Explosive Detection Systems is very well defined and governed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In Europe, the term EDS covers three types of systems with increasing detection performance: Standard 1, Standard 2 and Standard 3. Broadly speaking, Standard 3 is equivalent to the U.S. definition of EDS – systems that have passed the TSA Certification test. Although Israel and China have adopted their own standards, these countries also define EDS testing as the most rigorous standard a given technology must meet.
The only technology to have passed all the highest levels of testing, and become operationally viable are based on Computerized Tomography (CT) technology. Reveal is the only company to have designed, manufactured and deployed an EDS that passes all of these international certification tests, including the most difficult and comprehensive of all international standards – the test conducted by the Israeli Government. Meeting the Israeli certification standard is difficult because of the inclusion of liquid and homemade explosives.
It is important to note that other standards for explosive detections systems exist. However, they should not be confused with the U.S. “EDS” standard or EU Standard 3. For example, in Europe there exists Standard 1 and Standard 2 EDS classifications. These operate at a less rigorous standard that focuses on high throughput. To date, no Standard 1 or 2 machine has demonstrated the capability to pass either the U.S. EDS standard, the EU Standard 3 or Israeli “EDS” tests.
In the United States, only EDS or “Certified Machines” are, by law, allowed to screen passenger’s checked baggage. Therefore, the U.S. has deployed a significantly higher percentage of EDS machines as compared to the rest of the world. Israel has a similar regulation as the U.S. in that all bags must be screened by a CT-based EDS. In Europe regulators are moving incrementally toward scanning all bags with Standard 3 EDS machines. EU law mandates that airports screen all bags with Standard 3 certified machines by 2018, and by regulation airports must end new purchases of Standard 2 machines by 2012.
The Process
The process of screening bags is the same for EDS/Standard 3 machines and AT/Standard 2 machines. Bags are screened automatically and cleared bags are released to go directly to the aircraft. Bags that are not cleared are escalated to a threat resolution process. The threat resolution process varies from country to country.
How are EDS Machines Deployed?
Lobby (Standalone)
Standalone machines are typically installed in the lobbies of airports. Machines are place at or near the check-in desks. Bags are scanned and resolved in the same area. For this process the passenger can be present if desired. After the screening process is completed, bags are transported to the aircraft. This type of installation has the following advantages:
- Low installation cost
- Quick installation time
- Few structural modifications to the airport
- Little to no additional maintenance cost on baggage handling system
Lobby installations are common in the U.S., Israel, and China, to name just a few countries.
Integrated or In-Line
The alternative to lobby systems is to install EDS machines directly into the airport baggage handling system. There are, in general, two styles of in-line integration – fully integrated and semi-integrated.
Full integration is defined as having the baggage handling system deliver bags automatically to the EDS and also handle bags when the EDS process (scanning, screener, review, and threat resolution) is complete. Baggage handling includes the diversion or holding of bags that are not completely resolved.
The three primary advantages of the in-line EDS solution over lobby installations are :
- Annual labor savings due to the networking of the on screen resolution process.
- Freeing up of lobby space.
- A simpler check-in process.
The semi-integrated solution, although still an “in-line” solution, is typically less costly then a fully integrated solution.
Fully in-line systems are common in the largest U.S. airports, as well as airports in Europe and Asia. Semi integrated systems are generally found in medium and small airports around the world
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