From 30th of January to 1st of February the consortium members of the FastPass project met for the official project kick-off at AIT headquarters in TechGate Vienna. AIT coordinates the the EU-funded research project in the 7th Framework Security Programme, Markus Clabian (AIT Safety & Security Department) is head of the project. The consortium is comprised of 27 partners from 8 countries and will last for 4 years with a funding of 11.3 Mio EUR.
FastPass will establish and demonstrate a harmonized, modular approach for Automated Border Control (ABC) gates. FastPass brings together key players of the entire ABC value chain - system and component producers, research institutions, governmental authorities and end-users. The development of a harmonized ABC gate will be accomplished with continuous end-user involvement. The entire innovation process, from components development to the final design of the user interface, will continuously be evaluated by the two end user groups, travellers and border guards.
Border control is a major challenge for security and mobility within the EU. Travellers request a minimum delay and a speedy border crossing, while Border Guards must fulfil their obligation to secure the EUs borders against illegal immigration and other threats. Fastpass will serve both demands at the same time to keep security at the highest level while increasing the speed and the comfort for all legitimate travellers at all border control points.
The FastPass ABC process will be designed to address both requirements with equal emphasis. One aspect of a speedy border crossing by legitimate travellers is a harmonised user interface. This will allow frequent travellers from Europe and third country states to pass through an ABC with minimum delay, using the full potential of ID documents. Improved traveller identification technologies, such as new biometric modules will increase the security of the ABC process and minimise spoofing. A demonstration and evaluation at all types of border (air, land and sea) will be implemented in at least three different member states. Compliance with European societal values and citizens rights is central to the acceptance of the developed technologies, and will accompany the development and end-user interaction throughout the project. FastPass will develop a reference architecture for ABC gates, and will pursue a European initiative for a global standard in ABC technology.
Links:
- <link research-services research-services-safety-security ict-security fastpass-a-harmonized-modular-reference-system-for-all-european-automatic-border-crossing-points _blank external-link-new-window external link in new>FastPass
- Press Release (German)
- <link research-services research-services-safety-security _blank external-link-new-window external link in new>Safety & Security Department