Crossing borders gets easier

Security, facilitation, harmonisation: these are the key challenges for automated border control in the European Union. Indeed, as passenger flows increase, more and more travellers want to cross the European external borders with maximum convenience and speed, while at the same time border guards should secure the zone against various threats, including terrorism, irregular immigration or crime. One viable solution involves the introduction of automated border control (ABC) gates in combination with border guards who can intervene when necessary.

Taking up the challenge, the EU-funded FASTPASS (A harmonized, modular reference system for all European automated border crossing points) project is developing an EU-wide border-crossing strategy using ABC gates. Bringing together 27 partners from 9 EU countries, FASTPASS is addressing crossings for land, air and sea. It is designing a modular system for airports, land borders (enabling travellers to stay in their cars), as well as a similarly smart solution for cruise ships.

Importantly, the envisioned solution protects against fraudulent identity documents and biometric-related infringements (e.g. face or finger spoofing), minimising as well the chance of piggybacking through ABC gates. The system envisions automatic background checks that alert border guards in cases of suspicious crossings. This is based on a user-friendly interface and innovative decision support to help the guards with their duties.

So far, the project team has analysed the needs of all stakeholders and the system, from traveller privacy to ship security. It integrated powerful automated authentication technology, defined the overall architecture and evaluated risks. A workshop on the system took place in August 2015 in Germany, with work continuing to create a harmonised, comprehensive border-crossing solution.

Once installed, the FASTPASS system will be able to process up to, 500 people per hour and reduce resources required to manage border controls. In addition to facilitating travel, the system will raise the competitiveness of the European security industry. With citizens travelling seamlessly from and to European countries, the result will be a European continent that is safer and more tightly knit than ever before.