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Technology

- Toronto’s Pearson Airport installs NEXUS border-crossing technology
- New airport perimeter security system unveiled
Toronto’s Pearson Airport installs NEXUS border-crossing technology

Beginning in February, Toronto’s Pearson International Airport implemented two key elements of the cross-border NEXUS program – an enrollment center and self-serve kiosks. NEXUS is a partnership program between the Canada Border Services Agency and United States Customs and Border Protection, designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, pre-approved travelers into Canada and the United States. The program uses iris-recognition technology and self-serve kiosks that allow travelers to avoid the primary inspection lines at airports.

The NEXUS program is applicable to air, land, and marine travel, and is in compliance with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. The program, which has more than 115,000 members, is available to citizens or permanent residents of Canada or the United States who meet certain requirements. Specifics are available by visiting: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/frequent_traveler/nexus_prog/nexus.xml or http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel/nexus/. There is a non-refundable processing fee of $50 USD per applicant and membership is valid for five years.

The NEXUS enrollment process involves both a written application and an in-person interview at an enrollment center. During the interview process, a border officer verifies a traveler’s personal information, including proof of citizenship or residency, reviews eligibility requirements and takes the traveler’s fingerprints. Then, if the traveler is accepted into NEXUS, the officer will explain the terms and conditions of the program, take a digital photograph of the traveler’s irises and face, and will show the traveler how to use the self-serve kiosks for air travel.

In addition to being operational at Pearson International, the NEXUS program will soon be available at six additional Canadian airports, including Edmonton International, Calgary International, Winnipeg International, Ottawa International, Montreal Dorval International and Halifax International airports.

Sources: Canadian Press, Canada Border Services Agency

New airport perimeter security system unveiled

New York’s Westchester County Airport – the third busiest corporate airport in the United States – recently installed a $5 million USD “virtual” perimeter monitoring system that may be replicated by Newark International Airport as well as New York’s LaGuardia International and John F. Kenney International airports

The system uses leading-edge surveillance to identify any unauthorized perimeter breach. It uses cameras and underground sensors to provide detailed images in the dark and during reduced-visibility environments. It differs from most other airport security systems because it allows one security coordinator to view all of the monitoring devices and all security-related activity on a single screen. The system detects, tracks, and classifies objects, plotting their activity on one monitor. Then, if unusual activity is identified, security personnel can immediately notify the police. Like most security systems, the information is all recorded so it can be used in a criminal investigation, if necessary.

So far, the system’s only test of effectiveness has come from a coyote that ran onto the runway. Surprisingly wildlife collisions with aircraft are not uncommon – the Federal Aviation Administration reported 66,000 wildlife strikes in the U.S. from 1990 – 2005. While 98 percent of collisions were with birds, run-ins between planes and deer, coyotes, turtles, dogs, alligators, skunks, cats, and horses have also been reported.

Sources: The Westchester County (NY) Journal News, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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Technology

Toronto’s Pearson Airport installs NEXUS border-crossing technology

New airport perimeter security system unveiled