Aeronautical safety solutions in 2021
As the world prepares to open up again for travel, we are dealing with a completely different security landscape, and fears of infection and for personal safety are paramount in many people’s minds.
That is why the airline industry is looking at new solutions for safety while deploying a range of security measures, including the use of anti-bombing devices and more widespread use of body temperature scanners.
We’ve put together an overview of the different types of scanners and what they offer in terms of safety screening initiatives.
Forehead scanners
The idea behind using a forehead scanner is that you can rapidly test a large number of people who are waiting in line at an airport to move through security and continue with their journey.
Using a forehead or temporal thermometer allows you to take a reading of the person’s temporal artery in their forehead using an infrared scanner. Forehead scanners are a practical solution that allows security staff to get an accurate reading and identify whether a passenger is running a temperature and could be infected.
Temperature kiosk
Another possible option is to install a temperature kiosk, which often delivers highly accurate results. Each person entering the kiosk will be scanned using a body temperature scanner that can also be adapted for facial recognition purposes.
This sort of device can also be used to measure someone’s temperature even while they are wearing a mask, helping to ensure hygiene and social distancing measures are followed.
Accuracy levels
Thermal imaging scanning technology is considered to be extremely accurate and a fever screening system can deliver temperature readings that are within an accuracy range of between 0.3°C and 0.5°C.
Body temperature screening devices are designed to operate within a wide range of conditions. A typical system is capable of delivering accurate readings while been used in an environment that can vary between -10°C and 55°C. This means that there are unlikely to be any conditions where you will not be able to obtain an accurate body temperature reading.
Anti-bombing technology
Another area to talk about when reviewing airport security is the development of anti-bombing technology as a viable alternative to using dogs.
Scanners, using ion mobility spectrometry, for instance, are capable of detecting minuscule traces of explosives, even when masked by other substances. A heater vaporizes a sample to ionize it, which allows the equipment to identify explosives by the size and shape of the ions. Results are normally available within about 5 seconds and the error rate is less than 1%.
These scanners are easy to use and any airport security personnel should be able to use the equipment. They also work 24/7, making them more reliable than trained explosive detection dogs.
Anti-bombing technology is rapidly evolving and is a valuable addition to the range of scanning options.
The science behind scanners
There is a part of your brain, known as the hypothalamus, which is designed to regulate your body temperature and deploy a response mechanism when it thinks you have a virus in your body.
The hypothalamus increases your body temperature to create a hostile environment for the virus and it is this response that allows a scanner to detect if you are infected. The scanner will take a reading that shows if your temperature is above normal.
The obvious advantage of using body temperature scanners is that they are a reliable method of identifying the early signs of infection, which is critical in an airport or any other busy public space.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about the latest aeronautical safety solutions.