|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
In the ever-evolving airport security landscape, Changi Airport stands at the forefront with its trial use of cutting-edge innovation, the Automated Prohibited Item Detection System (APIDS). In leveraging this advanced system, designed to enhance security screening processes through AI technology, Changi Airport Group (CAG) recently garnered the prestigious Recognition of Excellence from OpenGov Asia. This honour underscores how CAG has adopted APIDS’s innovative approach and significant potential to revolutionise airport security.
To delve deeper into this transformative initiative, OpenGov Asia reached out to Alan Tan, Senior Vice President of Aerodrome Safety and Aviation Security at Changi Airport Group, a key member of the APIDS team. Alan and his team provided profound insights into APIDS’s development, challenges, and future aspirations, offering a comprehensive look at how this technology is poised to reshape the security screening landscape.
The initial trials of APIDS have shown its potential to enhance security screening by automating the detection of prohibited items. However, the system’s current detection capabilities are limited to a narrow range of items. Alan noted that, as AI technology progresses and X-ray image annotation improves to simulate various threat items, APIDS’s ability to detect a broader array of items is anticipated to grow.
“APIDS’s promise lies in its ability to continuously learn and adapt. With each new update and dataset, its detection capabilities will grow more comprehensive and accurate,” Alan stated. “This adaptability is crucial as new threats emerge and security protocols evolve.”
At its current stage, APIDS is best suited for deployment in assist mode, where it supports human screeners in swiftly identifying prohibited items that the system has been trained to detect. However, Alan pointed out that a major challenge for APIDS is its high rate of false alarms. These false positives require additional inspections of passengers’ belongings, which can detract from the overall passenger experience.
“False alarms are a major hurdle. They slow down the process and can cause passengers frustration. Our goal is to minimise these while maintaining high detection accuracy,” Alan explained. “Further testing and operational trials are essential to assess APIDS’s performance in detection accuracy and false alarm rates before it can be fully integrated into live operations.”
Another critical factor to consider is the cost-benefit analysis of deploying APIDS. As the technology matures, it will be necessary to evaluate whether the benefits of improved detection and efficiency outweigh the costs associated with its implementation and maintenance.
“Investing in new technology always involves financial considerations. We need to ensure that the long-term benefits justify the initial outlay and ongoing costs,” Alan acknowledges.
Given the inherent risks associated with airport security screening, using AI for independent auto-clearance remains a distant goal under the current concept of operations. While the current deployment mirrors existing screening protocols, there are opportunities to review and revise how APIDS can achieve faster and more reliable auto-clearance.
An innovative approach could involve using “APIDS-enabled trays”, a concept developed by Alan. By having passengers place electronics and liquids into separate trays for conventional X-ray machines, this method creates optimal conditions for APIDS to improve detection accuracy and reduce false alarm rates. Arranging items in these trays to reduce clutter and prevent image obstruction could improve the system’s results. This setup also enables the automatic clearing of specific trays, streamlining the screening process.
However, implementing this concept would necessitate comprehensive testing and rigorous approval from security regulators to ensure that it adheres to all necessary screening standards and protocols.
“Redesigning the process to accommodate APIDS’s strengths could revolutionise how we handle security checks. It is about finding the right balance between human oversight and automated efficiency,” Alan noted.
The introduction of APIDS into the security screening process must also consider its interaction with other screening technologies, such as Computed Tomography (CT) x-ray machines. CT x-ray machines allow electronics and some liquids to remain in bags, maintaining the bag’s complexity. This complexity can challenge APIDS’s ability to meet expected detection and false alarm performance levels.
As a result, not all security screening technologies are complementary; in so many cases, they may not be deployed optimally together. For more complex situations, experienced security screeners will still be essential in evaluating the bag images manually.
“Each technology has its strengths and limitations. The key is to integrate them to maximise overall efficiency and effectiveness,” Alan explains. “APIDS is a powerful tool, but it’s not a silver bullet.”
The use of AI in security screening will likely face strict controls and regulations due to associated risks, such as potential cyber threats and the danger of over-reliance on AI, which could erode the competency of human operators. Additionally, cabin bag screening represents just one component of the broader security checkpoint process. Effective security for flight operations also requires thorough screening of passengers and their documents to ensure a comprehensive approach to safety.
Alan appreciates that “Regulatory bodies play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficacy of new technologies. APIDS must meet stringent standards before it can be fully deployed. The balance between innovation and regulation is delicate, and continuous dialogue with regulators is essential.”
Despite these challenges, there is optimism about APIDS’s potential to enhance security performance and efficiency at security checkpoints. By learning how to integrate APIDS and other security-related technologies effectively, Changi Airport aims to improve security outcomes and passenger experiences while reaping the benefits of increased efficiency and productivity.
The team believes that constant innovation, rigorous testing, and close collaboration with security regulators will be essential to realising APIDS’s full potential. This journey will undoubtedly involve overcoming technical and operational challenges. However, the goal remains clear: to better transform airport security screening. With persistent efforts and a collaborative approach, Changi Airport is set to set new benchmarks in aviation security, paving the way for the future of air travel security.
“The potential of APIDS is tremendous. By harnessing AI, we’re not only enhancing security but also streamlining the process for passengers. Ultimately, our goal is to deliver a seamless and secure travel experience,” Alan concluded.
