Portable x-ray bomb and threat detection protects transport infrastructure against terrorist attacks

(19/11/2007)

3D x-ray technology provides a major security advance in detecting bombs, knives, guns and other suspect devices that are left in bags at airports, left on railway platforms, or in stadia.

3DX-RAY offers real-time, portable x-ray, bomb and threat detection, using the same technology that it employs in its 3D baggage inspection system. It introduced and pioneered both of these tools in the fight against terrorism in close collaboration with the UK Home Office and customers such as the British Transport Police to provide an ever higher level of protection for the public.

Already the USA’s Transport Security Administration, which is charged with security across all areas of America’s transport infrastructure, has undertaken a long-term and independent trial of their 3D baggage inspection technology which demonstrated significant improvements in security screening performance when compared to all other systems.

As well as the introduction of 3D x-ray images, there have been several technology breakthroughs in the area of x-ray technology over recent years. These include:

The first big step forward has been a revolution in image clarity. Recent improvements in x-ray sources and detectors - plus some very clever processing tricks, have virtually eliminated the problem of poor resolution. Now, details smaller than 0.2 millimetres can be detected with ease.

Previously if a suspect package was identified, the main decision was typically where to position the disrupter to conduct a controlled explosion. With the growing potential risk of a ‘dirty’ or biological device, this could lead to terrible consequences! In such situations improved discrimination is vital. Extra clarity makes detection much easier and leads to a real reduction in false alarms.

Portability is another practical issue, especially if we step away from the scenario of the baggage scanner and towards screening of packages left on platforms. There have been several vital developments.

Firstly, the equipment has become genuinely portable, it is lighter and can be handled easily - even when wearing cumbersome body armour. This has come about both through newer, more accurate, lighter detectors and sources which now weigh as little as 8kg each.

Secondly, the detectors are much larger and thinner. No longer constrained to the typical ‘A4’ sized detectors, the new panels are more than four times the imaging area – it is now possible to image the whole package in one shot! Thinness may not sound important – until you realise that a terrorist could totally flummox an old detector simply by leaving a bag close to a wall. At only 5cm thick the TPXi is amongst the thinnest devices on the market today.

There is also the simple seeming advance of a fully integrated secure wireless connection – which means that an operator can just drop the source and detector in place then move quickly away to view the results in safety.

A drawback of conventional x-rays is the absence of depth information. A single x-ray image can’t tell you what’s on top of what. However, by taking more than one image at a time, from positions about as far apart as human eyes, the software can reconstruct a 3D image in real-time. This technique for airport baggage scanners has recently been adapted to work with portable x-ray imaging systems as well. It helps operators to recognise threats with greater accuracy - producing fewer delays and increasing the possibility detecting a dangerous device.

Dual energy x-ray detectors can differentiate between some materials, particularly between organic (such as plastic explosive or biological threats) and non-organic materials, (such as the metal used in guns and knives). Having been widely used in baggage scanning systems for several years, the same capability is now also available on the TPXi system.

Automating image processing is the last advance. It involves the auto-identification of the huge variety of shapes, combinations and objects that a terrorist can use to build a bomb, gun or other device.

“3D x-ray technology is an area where the UK already leads the world” said Nick Fox, Managing Director of 3DX-RAY “it allows you to untangle items visually and decipher exactly what you are looking at - in the same way we do with normal eyesight. The complimentary lightweight TPXi technology was developed by us here in the UK and is already used by the British Transport Police’s rapid deployment teams for checking bomb and other threats across London. Other system are in use across the world performing similar roles for many foreign governments. We have built our 3D technology into a range of fixed, mobile and portable devices which help protect the nation’s capital and railway network, plus other transport hubs around the world. The next few weeks should see the announcement of two major new developments which will help to provide some of the toughest anti-terrorist technology available.”

Superintendent Phil Trendall, speaking on behalf of the British Transport Police, in relation to the portable TPXi product commented: 'Our officers are in the front line protecting the transport infrastructure against terrorist attack and it is very important that they have the best equipment available to protect the public, help minimise disruption and keep the rail system moving. The new TPXi product is one of the most advanced portable x-ray systems available. Its exceptional image quality and robust wireless capability are particularly important in terms of maintaining our ability to manage the high levels of unattended items reported within the rail environment. We believe this new capability will enhance significantly the service we can provide the travelling public.’

Related topics:  Detection systems   Physical protection   Safety and protection systems   Security guarding 

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