Transportation

CA Bay Area port officials find a creative way to get federal funding
After federal port security bill shortchanges local ports, authorities consider counting a recently-passed bond measure among matching funds claims; voters earmarked $100,000 for port security; Port of Oakland looks to build biometric portals and enhance RFID capabilities
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French launch UAVs to stop Israeli flights over Lebanon
International peacekeepers seek to ease tension over Israeli surveillance activities said to violate cease-fire; Israelis charge French with trying to undermine local UAV industry
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Sago succesfully tests iPat airport screening system
Thermal system screens passengers for weapons and explosives; unlike Z Backscatter, no privacy issues are implicated; handheld version also available; Sago just one of many companies succesfully nurtered by Trex Enterprises
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Heathrow begins new biometric tracking pilot
Passengers will scan their fingerprints at self-service kiosks or ticket counters; some will receive iris and face scans; only Emirites and Cathay Pacific flights to Dubai and Hong King effected; Accenture, IER, Raytheon, Sagem Defense Securite, and Sita provided the technology
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Swedish border patrol agents dabble in passport pornography
Two are in trouble after supervisors find a binder containing passport photographs of “exceptionally beautiful” women
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AS&E gets TSA go-ahead for a modified Z Backscatter screening system
Privacy issues delayed roll-out; an algorithm brushes away passengers’ most intimate secrets, and the video is immediately erased after processing; to ease embarassment concerns, monitoring will be done out of sight of the passengers
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Verified Identity gets the go-ahead to expand
DHS authorizations means the Brill-owned company can move in at airports in New York, California, Indiana, and Ohio; Lockheed to work as subcontractor for account and network management
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Raytheon wins contract to help TSA determine ideal emergency flight paths
$1.9 million Advanced Route Evaluation System will perform risk analysis on aviation routes by assessing such factors as aircraft type, fuel loads, and flight route; Tec-Masters lends a hand
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Boeing wins patent on uninterruptible autopilot system
New technology can be activated by the pilots, government agencies, even on-board sensors; not even a tortured pilot can give up control; dedicated electrical circuits ensure the system’s total independence
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British air force tests unmanned jetliner
Two-hour flight shows off Qinetic’s UAV command and control interface; the next step is to to fly the jetliner, a fighter jet, and a fleet of UAVs simulateously without stepping into a cockpit
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Maine to host maritime security course for first responders
Classes will take place at the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine; the 100 expected participants were chosen by local emergency authorities; pilot program may establish Maine course as the nationwide gold standard
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Portendo teams with Swedish government to develop explosives detectors
Deal signals growing European awareness of terrorist risk; Swedish Defense Research Agency will help improve Portendo’s nSure sensors; in return, Portendo will help FOI with their own ESSEX technology
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AFGE looks again to unionize airport security screeners
Federal law prohibits labor organizing in that industry, but a recent UN ruling and an incoming Democratic majority gives hope to the American Federation of Government Employees
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Snakes on the plane no movie for Phillipines authorities
X-ray screener finds 60 snakes stuffed into two suitcases; reptile smuggling a major problem in Southeast Asia; consequences for smuggler, animals unknown
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Transportation sector lags behind in forming DHS "sector council"
National Infrastructure Protection Plan asks industry groups to form councils to advise DHS on critical assets, risk assessments, and an agreed security approach; so far, diverse nature of transportation has been a major road block; TSA now encouraging the development of smaller subsector councils, but still hopes for an industry-wide group
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