The escalating problem of cross-border movement of contraband is driving the need for advanced technology, which not only detects a range of illicit or dangerous items, but also introduces a much higher level of automation. Add to this ever-increasing volumes of traffic at ports and land borders, a requirement for stricter controls and faster clearance times and the list of demands for border security is long and complex. Image analysis operators are typically fed complex x-ray images, which they match with the cargo manifest but must rely on initiative, training and experience to recognise potential target items. Whilst some types of freight are easy to identify, others can be very difficult to distinguish – making the ‘human factor’ a very significant part of the process. So, is it suspicious or not? Is the quantity and weight correct? Is it really fruit or something completely different? Scanned images can, of course, be analysed further but with up to 20 vehicles or 100+ containers passing across a border every hour, there simply isn’t the time. So what is the answer?
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THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY
In an ideal world, technology should provide operators with the tools they need to maintain exacting security standards and yet scan more cargo without increasing their workload…
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