Review: Transport Security Expo 2015 at London Olympia

The 13^th annual Transport Security Expo 2015, held at the Olympia National Hall in West London on 2^nd to 3rd December, proved to be an outstanding success, with its record-breaking attendance of over 4,500 international security professionals, 150 leading global exhibitors, 36 official Government-hosted country delegations, and 20 UK stakeholder agency delegations.

The 150 security system OEMs and suppliers were exhibiting innovative solutions for transport security. They ranged for example from Audax, Avon Barrier, Axis Communications, Bosch Security Systems, Canon, Dahua, DVTel, Excelerate Technology, Gallagher, Genie CCTV, Gunnebo, Inova Gates, Integrated Design (Fastlane turnstiles and Door Detective brands) and Key Tracker through to L-3 Security and Detection Systems, Morpho Detection, Network Video Technologies, Panasonic, Rapiscan Systems, Samsung Techwin Europe, Scanna MSC, Smiths Detection, Sony, Southwest Microwave, Varian Security and Industrial Products, Verint, Vivotek and Zaun / Harper Chalice.

Themes of the trade conferences – standing room only for most of the two days – were Aviation Security, Maritime Security, Rail and Public Transport Security, Secure Transportation, Major Events Transport Security and Border Security. Particular new features for 2015 were the World of Perimeter Security and Future Borders Experience.

The World of Perimeter Security offered visitors a complete, end-to-end integrated solution to protecting the perimeter of any critical national installation. Interactive tours – combining a video briefing and narrated introduction to products like specialist fencing, vehicle barriers and blockers, bollards, high-security gates, CCTV and intrusion detection – culminated in lively Q&A sessions with experts from this sector.

Emphasising the need for cross-sector collaboration, the Future Borders Experience provided a unique insight into next-generation border security. Having been given fictional identities, visitors were registered with finger-vein biometrics and given simulated travel documentation, allowing passage through entry gates to a security screening process involving various detection technologies. The output from those systems was relayed on large-screen TVs for general exhibition visitors to follow.

One of the five-star products on the stands in the National Hall was Morpho’s Itemiser 4DX. More than 50 airports throughout Europe deployed Itemiser 4DX explosives trace detectors (ETDs) in 2015. In fact Itemiser 4DX was the most selected ETD system by airports to meet EU legislation for enhanced passenger screening effective September 2015. With over 900 shipped worldwide in 2015, Morpho has deployed Itemiser 4DX to leading European aviation hubs including ones in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.

A lightweight, portable desktop system, Itemiser 4DX quickly detects and identifies trace amounts of explosives on skin, clothing, carried items, bags, vehicles and other surfaces. Currently approved for passenger and cargo screening throughout ECAC’s 44 member nations, the Itemiser 4DX delivers advanced explosives and narcotics detection and screening capabilities powered by a non-radioactive ITMS (Ion Trap Mobility Spectrometer) source.

Optimised for ease-of-use and mobility, Itemiser 4DX eliminates the administrative, regulatory, storage and shipping requirements associated with a radiation-emitting detection source. By leveraging long-life consumables and internal calibration, Itemiser 4DX seeks to minimise operational costs for airports and air cargo facilities, law enforcement agencies and government and critical infrastructure installations.

At the Expo Morpho Detection also reported its third consecutive Integrated Logistics Service (ILS) contract from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for maintenance of its hold baggage explosives detection systems (EDS). The TSA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security which has authority over the security of the travelling public in the United States.

Valued up to $221 million over three years, Morpho Detection was selected for this contract following successful completion of two previous ILS contracts first awarded in 2005. This sole source contract covers acquisition of Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) services including preventive, corrective and excepted maintenance actions on TSA’s entire fleet of Morpho CTX EDS.

In addition Morpho Detection announced a contract from Spain’s national airport operator Aena SA to supply and service 290 Itemiser 4DX detectors. Following competitive operational testing closely supported by local partner Alava Ingenieros, Itemiser 4DX was selected to meet the requirements of new EU legislation for enhanced screening of passengers at more than 20 airports throughout Spain.

The stand of regular exhibitor Scanna MSC, a specialist in portable x-ray solutions, was promoting the company’s portable X-ray systems, American Science & Engineering’s Mini-Z handheld backscatter X-ray unit and Scanmax postal X-ray cabinets.

Another well-known exhibitor Smiths Detection showed its range of threat detection equipment including powerful X-ray screening systems (more than 75,000 supplied globally so far), trace detectors, chemical agent detectors and identifiers and body screening systems. They are used extensively in transportation, critical infrastructure, ports and borders, military and emergency responder markets. A Seminar speaker on the subject of “People Screening” at the event was Smiths Detection Product Manager Rory Doyle, responsible for the development and deployment of the company’s mm-wave screening devices.

Of course X-ray scanning equipment for cargo, baggage, parcels and personal effects can only be as good as its operators. They must be able to interpret X-ray images and correctly recognise prohibited items. So, with that in mind, Simulscan from Lombardy, Italy, provides initial and ongoing web-based training for them, wherever they are employed. This will be typically at ports, airports, border crossings, postal facilities, prisons, courthouses or military sites. Aviation security expert Roberto Sergnese, founder of Simulscan, was a Seminar speaker at the Expo.

In a dearth of body-worn video suppliers at the Expo, it was good to see Reveal Media offering to protect frontline staff, security personnel and law enforcement officers with their innovative systems, now available worldwide. See the accompanying picture.

Then the hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) solutions described on the Avon Barriers stand included road blockers, barriers, bollards and gates, all impact-tested to the PAS68 Standard to ensure their integrity if rammed by a 7.5t truck laden with explosives.

Inova Gates of Londonderry, a leading manufacturer of automated cantilever sliding gates, explained how the patented design of its Inova gate has the drive unit fully concealed within the lower beam for maximum security and safety.

Nevertheless even the most sophisticated gate or perimeter security has natural vulnerabilities to serious and concerted attacks, one being to knock out the imaging control and intrusion detection network, another to send in drones able to overfly barriers undetected.

The remote nature of drones means that thieves, spies, smugglers and terrorists are able to pilot their drones over perimeter walls and into properties not visible from public roads – and all this from a relatively safe and risk-free distance for the criminal.

Accordingly, software company Dedrone of Kassel, Germany, and Charleston, West Virginia, can protect government buildings, embassies, top security construction sites, automotive test tracks, film sets, prisons and industrial premises against terrorist drone activity, spying and smuggling.

The company’s DroneTracker detects UAVs by means of a multi-sensor system running intelligent software. Dedrone technology enables facilities to react quickly and often to locate and neutralise the pilot. The drone detection system not only provides realtime video of an incident, but records the threat for video evidence. DroneTracker is distributed worldwide via a global partner network.

Birmingham-based Credit Card Keys, a new name at the Show, displayed its range of intelligent key and asset management solutions. Its Smart Box can manage from 14 keys up to several thousand. Using Credit Card Keys’ smart KeyWin 5 software, you can manage one cabinet or 100 cabinets in multiple locations using the same system and decide who can access each key.

Peter Jones, CEO of the organisers Nineteen Events, summed up the thoughts of many: “It’s been 13 years since we launched Transec, and never have we experienced a more critical period than now. Recent events, including the bombing of Metrojet Flight 9268 and the atrocities witnessed in Paris, have re-ignited so many pressing questions around security.
Our role as event organisers is not to answer these questions, but to facilitate an effective platform that brings governments, industry and academia together to debate the issues.
I would like to express a sincere thank-you to the UK Government for the use of its Britain is GREAT brand, the Home Office and UKTI Defence Services Organisation for its support and also to the UK Security Minister, the Rt Hon John Hayes, MP, for opening Transec.
Our sincere gratitude also goes to the Prime Minister’s Office for sending eight trade envoys along to join our programme of 36 hosted international delegations.”

The eagerly awaited 2016 Transport Security Expo will be held from 30^th November to 1^st December, so put those dates in your diary now!

Oliver Haines