Frequently Asked Questions
We have prepared the following questions and answers to help you better understand the technology trials and how to participate in them.
They are based on research we conducted of the travelling public and draw on the experiences of overseas airports who have implemented similar screening technologies.
Scroll down or click on a topic below to find the answers to your questions.
Overview
Why are these screening technologies being trialled?
In response to constantly evolving and emerging threats, the Government is evaluating which, if any, of these technologies is most appropriate for use in Australian airports.
What technologies are being trialled?
Three types of technologies are being trialled, these being, advanced technology X-ray for carry-on luggage, body scanners and liquid explosive detectors.
Are the present restrictions on liquids, aerosols and gels in carry on luggage changing?
No. The technology trials are designed to inform future possible approaches to aviation security screening technology.
Why are you trialling liquid inspection systems at domestic screening points?
We want to capture a large range of containers and liquids. The use of the liquid inspection systems at domestic screening points does not mean that the Government is planning to introduce LAGs restrictions for domestic flights.
In the event that problems occur in scanning passengers with these devices, will the technology trials be called off?
We have already successfully simulated the testing process with volunteers so we do not expect any significant problems to occur, however in the event that problems are encountered, plans are in place to suspend the trial until any issues are resolved.
How will volunteers be recruited for the trial?
A communications campaign is in progress that involves working with travel agents and airlines to inform air travellers about the trials before they get to the airport and at the airport.
When will operational trials commence at Adelaide Airport?
Operational trials will commence at Adelaide Airport on 22 October.
Why is there a delay between the first launch at Adelaide and the operational trials?
This time delay is to allow consultation between the Department and interested stakeholders so that any potential issues can be addressed.
What is the difference in the technologies at each airport?
Melbourne and Adelaide airports will have a body scanner, an advanced X-ray machine and a liquid explosive detector with variances in both brand and technology. Whilst Sydney will have a body scanner and an advanced X-ray but not a liquid scanner. In addition there are slight variances as to how they will be used, at Adelaide the body scanner will be used as a primary means of screening, whereas at Melbourne and Sydney it will be used as an alternative to a pat down.
What technologies will be used at Adelaide Airport?
At Adelaide's main screening point there will be an L3 Provision Body scanner which utilises millimetre wave, a Smiths 6040 ATIX x-ray for carry-on luggage and a Chinese manufactured Nuctech LS1516BA Computed Tomography/Digital Radiography bottle scanner.
Can you explain more about the millimetre wave body scanner?
The Millimetre Wave Scanner creates a three-dimensional image of the passenger from two antennas that simultaneously rotate around the body. Once complete, a passenger steps through to the opposite side of the Millimetre wave portal.
Millimetre Wave technology works by simultaneously comparing the illumination levels from two locations on an individual's body, millimetre technology detects potential threats such as suicide vests and other improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that are hidden under individuals' clothing.
The Millimetre Wave Whole Body Scanner poses no health risks since it operates at power levels 10,000 times lower than any safety regulations covering devices such as mobile phones and remote control garage openers. The scanner does not use X-rays.
What is Computed Tomography?
Computed tomography is used for many medical applications, the security application of CT also reconstructs objects in three dimensions from a series of multiple X-ray images. Essentially CT builds a 3D picture of an object under examination using ionising radiation and is only applied to baggage.
What is Digital Radiography?
Digital radiography is another application of X-ray technology where the image is captured digitally allowing for discrimination between different materials.
What technologies will be in use at Melbourne Airport?
At Melbourne Airport's domestic Tiger Airways screening point a Rapiscan Secure 1000 body scanner which utilises X-ray backscatter will be in place, the Ahura TruScreen liquid detector and a Rapiscan 620 DV AT X-ray for carry-on luggage.
How does X-ray backscatter work?
The X-ray backscatter body scanners use a low energy X-ray that penetrates clothing to create an image which reveals hidden objects on a person.
When will trials at Melbourne Airport commence?
Operational trials will commence at Melbourne Airport on the 15th of October.
What technologies will be in use at Sydney Airport?
The equipment to be deployed at Sydney Airport's international screening point will be an AS&E Smartcheck body scanner which utilises X-ray backscatter and an L3 ACX X-ray for carry-on luggage.
When will trials commence at Sydney Airport?
It is anticipated that operational trials will commence at Sydney Airport in the week commencing 27 October.
Why were Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney Airports selected?
Airports were selected based on their ability to accommodate the new technologies as well as considerations such as passenger volume and proximity to our testing partners and indeed to Canberra to ensure that travel costs were kept as low as possible.
Are the technologies already out dated? Will new developments be trialled?
Some of the technologies are already in use in other countries. Others are new developments that are also being trialled in other countries. We are looking to see how the technologies might operate in the Australian context.
What are the advantages of using advanced screening technologies?
They are better able to detect weapons, explosives and prohibited items. In some cases these technologies are designed to detect explosives in liquids, aerosols and gels. In addition, at some airports body scanners will be offered as an alternative to a pat down, which for some can be an uncomfortable experience.
Why are operational trials of several different technologies required?
We need to make sure that we consider the best possible technologies for our own requirements. We are also looking at how the technologies impact on passenger throughput rates at the airport. In particular the Department is interested in seeing how the technologies work in a configuration rather than simply looking at additional technologies that bolt on to existing screening configurations.
What information will be retained after the trials?
No images will be saved of participants' scans. Specialists from Deakin University's Intelligent Systems Research Lab are recording and analysing passenger flows and other technical data from the different trial sites.
When will the trials conclude?
The trials will conclude by 30 November 2008.
Will results be made public?
Results will not be made available to the general public however should decisions be made to implement any of these technologies further consultation with interested stakeholders will occur.
When could a decision on implementation be expected?
Reports on the trials will be provided to the Department in the first quarter of the 2009 calendar year. Recommendations will then be provided to the Government who will make an informed decision as to the merits of implementation. You could expect that if a decision was to be made it would be by the end of this financial year.
Privacy
What Privacy measures will be in place and do these comply with Privacy legislation?
We have put in place a number of measures to be sensitive to privacy issues:
- Faces are either automatically blurred (the Provision) or in some circumstances only a chalk style outline of the body can be seen (the backscatter X-rays)
- The security officer analysing your image is located away from the security lane and cannot see you
- Images are not saved and cannot be transferred to anybody else.
Does the Security Officer who is analysing my image, see a detailed image of the volunteer?
No, the security screener will only see a computer representation of the volunteer. The face will be blurred on this representation. The security officer will also be located away from the screening point and will not be able to see the person whose image they are analysing.
Will the volunteer be recognisable in the scanned images?
No, faces will be blurred and the image produced by the scanner is a computer representation, not a photo quality image.
What will the Screener see?
An image of the volunteer's body with the face blurred.
Are the scanned images saved?
No. They are not saved and cannot be transferred.
What is the process for children?
The same process and privacy measures apply for children as they do for adults, however an adult must provide consent for a child to undergo a body scan.
How can do people provide feedback or lodge a complaint?
Feedback can be provided at the online form on this website or on the feedback cards handed out after the screening. Complaints can be lodged by:
| E-mail: | technologytrials@infrastructure.gov.au |
| Mail: | Ms Cheryl Johnson General Manager Supply Chain and Identity Security Office of Transport Security Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government GPO Box 594 Canberra City ACT 2601 |
| Phone: | Technology Trials hotline - 1800 505 938 |
If something is detected, what happens? At what point is any personal information captured and what happens to this personal information?
If the security officer identifies a suspicious object or substance they will indicate this to the security operators at the security screening lane. The security operators there will either conduct additional screening or a pat down in line with procedures for resolving these issues. No image or personal information is saved.
What happens if people have religious, cultural or moral objections to being scanned?
Participation in the technology trials is voluntary. If volunteers have issues with the trials they can choose to go through the usual security screening lanes.
Health
Does the Body Scan pose a risk to my health?
It would take 10,000 scans to reach the maximum level of safe radiation recommended in a year.
Is there any radiation involved in the scanners?
There are extremely low levels of radiation in the backscatter X-ray body scanners. To put this in perspective, the dosage from one scan is 1,000 times less than a chest X-ray and furthermore it would take 10,000 scans to reach the maximum level of safe radiation recommended in a year. To explain further, the level of x-ray exposure you would be exposed to in one scan is measured by a unit called a microsievert. You can use this to compare the radiation dosage of an x-ray body scan to other activities.
| Radiation Source | Radiation dose. microsieverts. |
|---|---|
| Passenger body x-ray scan | 0.1 |
| Flight Darwin - Perth | 16 |
| Flight Melbourne-Singapore-London | 65 |
| Chest x-ray (localised) | 100 |
| Dental x-ray (localised) | 1000 |
| Australian background radiation dose per year | 2000 |
The Screening Process
What is the procedure for the Security Scan?
Should the volunteer choose one of the technology trial lanes they will either be directed to stand in a scanner with their arms raised and await advice of clearance as would occur at Adelaide Airport, or should they be selected for secondary screening at either the Melbourne or Sydney Technology Trial lanes they will have the option of choosing to undergo a scan which requires them to stand in front of a scanner and then turn for a scan of their other side.
Must a volunteer walk through the scanner alone? What happens to a baby or toddler when someone being scanned?
Yes volunteers must be alone when being scanned, should they be uncomfortable about this they should choose to go through one of the usual security screening lanes.
Is use of the Body Scan compulsory?
No
What if a passenger refuses to use the Body Scan?
Passengers will have the option of proceeding though another security screening lane or if the scan was offered to you in place of a pat down or another secondary screening process you may choose the alternative.
Will security staff receive special training to operate the machines or analyse the images?
Yes.
Will staff be qualified or accredited and how will I know?
All staff who operate the equipment have been background checked as part of the Australian Government's Aviation Security Identification Card process and have been trained in the correct use of the equipment.
Will staff be monitored?
Yes, strict controls are in place to ensure that images are not retained.
Might it occur that women are evaluated by male operators and vice versa?
No.
Will the trial test across the full demographic - elderly, disabled, pregnant, cultural groups, etc?
All persons who are able will have the opportunity to participate.
How long will it take for people to be scanned? Will it cause more delays, longer queues?
This will be analysed by specialists from Deakin University, all efforts will be made to ensure that the trial processes do not delay passengers. This is an important issue and something we are very keen to understand as part of the technology trials.
Does this method make it possible to keep everything on, such as shoes, coat and belt?
No, you are still required to remove dense or metal items, it is anticipated however that developments in the technology will in the future enable passengers to keep these items on.
Can I take everything with me into the scan, including my wallet, keys, mobile phone, etc?
No, you must remove everything from your pockets.
What will the images viewed by screening officers look like?
The images that screening officers will view depend on the equipment being used. Examples of the images that screening officers will view are below.
Security
Why are we trialling these advanced technologies? Are present security procedures no longer adequate?
Present security measures are adequate however the Australian Government continually examines new ways to improve security procedures.
Are the Body Scanners meant to replace all the walk-through metal detectors eventually?
The Body Scanners are a potential alternative to walk-through metal detectors. These trials are designed to assess how appropriate they may be for the Australian public.
What is the time frame in which this would be done?
There are no current plans to introduce the technology. Once the trials have completed the Government will make an informed choice as to whether or not to implement the technologies over a period of time.