Overview
TASS is a multi-segment, multi-level intelligence and surveillance system, aimed at creating an entire airport security monitoring solution providing real-time accurate situational awareness to airport authorities. The TASS concept is based on integrating different types of selected real time sensors & sub-systems for data collection in a variety of modes, including fixed and mobile, all suitable for operation under any environmental conditions.
TASS divides the airport security into six security control segments (environmental, cargo, people, airplanes, vehicle-fleet & facilities) each of them being monitored by various technologies that are fused together, creating a multisource labyrinth fusion logic enabling situational and security awareness of the airport anytime and anywhere. These fused control segments will be accessed through the TASS WEB-based portal by running a suite of applications making the airport security control centralized to all airport authorities. Information will be shared and synchronized between all of them in order to generate a comprehensive, real time, security overview for the airport C2, providing all the necessary features to assure a total “no breach” security environment. The integration will include the use of in-place technologies that will result in a cost-effective solution.
The TASS consortium consists of 3 main end users representing 16 airports and 16 technological partners, which bring together European SME’s, industrial and academic partners, ranging from sensor design and electronic communications through to civil airport protection. The technologies will be tested at 3 airports including the hub airport Heathrow, an Israeli domestic airport and Athens airport, in order to cover a wide range of needs at different levels of airport protection. The main test at Heathrow airport will involve scenarios including 2 connected to the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games in London ultimately resulting in a high & smooth passengers flow.
Funding
Results
Helping airports improve threat detection
More than ever before, integrated solutions are needed to prevent security threats to airports. An EU initiative developed a cutting-edge airport security system that combines input from different sensors and technologies to greatly enhance security for airports, aeroplanes and people.
Airports, aeroplanes and air travellers are often the targets of determined terrorists, a reality that poses many security challenges and requires a variety of different security systems.
The EU-funded project 'Total airport security system' (TASS) addressed these threats through the development of a sophisticated surveillance system that represents a security monitoring solution for an entire airport. The system enhances efficiency and reliability of security screening while protecting privacy and rights of airport passengers.
Offering real-time situational awareness of all airport facilities and surroundings, including people, vehicles, cargo and aeroplanes, the system collects and analyses data from different sources and technologies. It features three main components, namely the front end, the data fusion and mediation system, and portal/back-end applications. The portal displays all security and transport information and alerts authorities to execute decisions rapidly, minimising errors and false alarms.
The project team began by mapping and classifying potential threats to airports. It outlined required technologies, designed the system architecture and adapted front-end systems to airport environments.
Data collection tools for the front end were developed, and broadband wireless communication and networking were set up. Software components were also developed for the data fusion and mediation components.
Based on this, a prototype was designed and successfully demonstrated in four different threat scenarios at Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom.
TASS has built a complete security intelligence picture for airport authorities. This will result in an efficient approach to securing airports without affecting travellers and disrupting the flow of commerce.