Major UK airport uses Vidient's SmartCatch technology to improve security regulations

Vidient Systems, the technology leader in intelligent video, announced that a major UK airport has completed the deployment of MFlow - an automated exit lane security system using Vidient's SmartCatch video analytics suite, while a second UK airport, Newcastle International Airport, has just purchased another such system.  

The SmartCatch system is a major component of the MFlow Exit Lanes solution developed by Human Recognition Systems (HRS), an award winning biometric and identity management consultancy and system integrator from the UK.

The MFlow Exit Lane solution, using the SmartCatch system, has been proven for use in UK airports after successfully meeting rigorous testing against the UK Department for Transport (DfT) security regulations. The solution automatically identifies people attempting to enter through the exit lane and, upon detection, immediately activates an escalating series of alerts to allow an operator to respond to the emerging threats appropriately. The passengers are initially alerted via audio message, and if the behavior continues, maximum alert will activate doors to close.  

Currently in operation in several terminals at the latest airport deployment, the automated system improves security protection with continuous real-time monitoring and alerting, ensuring the smooth flow of passengers, and removing the reliance on manual security checks.

The SmartCatch Exit Lane analytic automatically identifies exit lane breach attempts through real-time analysis of CCTV video.  The software accurately detects violations even at times of high exit traffic flow and when the intruder is barely visible.  As well as monitoring the flow of passengers, the system detects people standing near the exit lane.  In the case of a suspicious event, both human and automated actions, such as spoken audio warnings to turn back, are initiated to respond and contain the situation.  By combining video analytics technology with real-time control of security doors which shut if an intruder goes too far in the wrong direction, and without the requirement for at-location security personnel, the airport has significantly improved security and efficiency while reducing ongoing cost, delivering a return on investment resulting in payback within months, not years.  

"By using SmartCatch, yet another major international airport has substantially improved their security profile while increasing their efficiency as well, joining Vidient's many airport customers including San Francisco International," said Frank Pao, CEO of Vidient.  "With continued successful deployments, together with HRS, we are supplying the aviation industry with a sophisticated, cost effective and rapidly deployable application for securing airport exit lanes.  With this complete solution, our airport customers can rest confident that they can prevent exit lane violations that cause drastic consequences like the one that occurred recently in the U.S."

"To meet the strict requirements for deployment at airports, we required the most accurate and reliable video analytics solution available," said Neil Norman, CEO of HRS.  "We evaluated many solutions, but the performance of SmartCatch technology from Vidient met all the requirements of the demanding airport environment and was an essential element of the MFlow Exit Lane solution, in meeting regulatory requirements.  The MFlow solution, using SmartCatch technology delivers a very real opportunity for airports to invest in a solution that not only improves security, but also delivers a quick return on investment."