On a path to scientific truth

Borders and ports are vital economic gateways that account for trillions of dollars in trade and travel each year – securing them is critical, reports LINEV Systems UK Ltd.

X-ray security inspection systems can be used for border and port protection from the illegal movement of weapons, drugs, contraband and people while promoting lawful entry and exit; this is essential to security, economic prosperity and national sovereignty.

Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

Sharm El-Sheikh (meaning “Bay of the Sheikh”) is one of the most important and famous tourist resorts in south Sinai and on the Red Sea. Its strategic importance led to its transformation from a fishing village into a major port and naval base for the Egyptian Navy. Now, the city is a significant centre for tourism in Egypt and is also attracting international conferences and diplomatic meetings.

Egypt’s tourism sector, making up approximately 12% of the country’s economy, has experienced a significant slump in the last few years. After a number of tragic events, the city was forced to surround itself with a wire and concrete fence 22 miles long and 20 feet high. The construction of the wall was to ensure the security and protection of tourists and residents of Sharm El Sheikh.

Rob Keeler, Director UK, EU, Africa & Australasia, commented: “Now, anyone entering the city by road needs to pass through one of four security gates dotted along the wall, which is guarded and staffed by the police.

“The main purpose of these checkpoints is to mitigate the smuggling of weapons and explosives, which in turn helps to prevent future incidents. As well as drugs, which have been a big problem for many years in this region, these checkpoints help to monitor any potential threats to the city.”

Technology

Our world is developing rapidly and the transportation industry plays a key role in connecting both people and cargo. Sometimes, for several reasons, connection points need to have vehicle and cargo control. Traditionally, checkpoints were only used for the checking of documents, and involved a quick visual inspection of the vehicles. Unfortunately, rough checks, corruption and human factors cannot guarantee appropriate safety.

Nowadays, there are many different technologies and, for the inspection of vehicles and cargo, different X-ray screening technologies are used: Transmission technology or Tx (when sensors measure the value of X-ray photons that penetrate the inspected objects) and back-scatter technology or Bx (when sensors measure photons that are scattered as a reflection from the transmission signal.

“Bx” technology is great, however, it is only suitable for the searching of objects that are hidden very close to the “body’s” outer surfaces, so in this case “Tx” X-ray technology was chosen by government security consultants in Egypt.

Solution

Egyptian Government Officials and Security Consultants were precise on their requirements. Selection of the correct X-ray technology is critical to the success of these security checkpoints since they are the only way of seeing threats hidden inside of the vehicles.

Following a review of the products available on the market, LINEV Systems was selected for the supply of all X-ray screening equipment.

Each check point on this project has a combination of high-energy X-ray system DTP 7500LV with 7.5MeV X-ray source, which is capable of successfully imaging large lorries with drivers still in them, and low-energy DTP 200DV with two 200kV X-ray sources and Dual-view capability for other vehicles like passenger cars and minibuses.

Sometimes, the material composition of one superimposed object can affect how the material composition of objects behind it appears in a transmission image.

Dual view technology is designed to eliminate blind spots in scanned images. Each checkpoint is fully integrated with hanger protection and equipped with automatic road-barriers. At the request of the customer, the DTP 7500LV systems was also fitted with under-vehicle inspection options.

Results

The results from these installations are game changing and are positively disrupting the smuggling efforts, which include drugs and weapons.

While with single view technology (the most common on the market – lateral-view X-ray inspection system) you can achieve a perfect side-view image, however, dual-view technology leaves little chance for smuggling to be successful – it provides two different views, which noticeably improves detection capabilities, eliminating any ‘blind zones’ within the inspected vehicle or container.

After Egypt implemented these security measures and checkpoints, international flights were seen to open up again, helping in the fight against terrorism and organised crime in the area.

LINEV Group

LINEV Group is an eco-group of companies that specialise in the supply of class-leading X-ray systems for the security, medical and NDT markets. Today, we live in a turbulent, constantly evolving world. LINEV Group is on a path to scientific truth, striving for new technology to innovate the health, safety and wellbeing of people around the world.

The group is a unique ecosystem made up of international companies, boasting over 30 years of experience within the X-ray technology industry. Providing world class, quality products and solutions, supplied from UK, UAE, USA and EU to all corners of the world.

The combined unification of our companies allows for the LINEV Group to deliver the highest quality products and services beyond customer expectations, whilst keeping two steps ahead of the competition through the latest industry leading high-tech innovations.

For more information on our full scope of vehicle and cargo scanners, as well as our range of baggage and body scanners, please contact our UK and UAE teams on [email protected] or visit our website, www.linevsystems.com, and we will be happy to help.

This article was originally published in the January 2023 edition of International Security Journal. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.