Smiths to supply advanced explosives trace portals to United States Registered Traveller programme

29 September 2006 - SMITHS Detection, part of the global technology business Smiths, today announces it is supplying explosives detection walk-through portals as part of the US Government’s Registered Traveller (RT) programme.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and private industry are developing the Registered Traveller programme to provide expedited security screening for passengers who volunteer biometric and biographic information to a TSA-approved RT vendor and successfully complete a security threat assessment.

The programme is market-driven and offered by the private sector with the TSA largely playing a facilitating role.
Smiths has joined the Fast Lane Option (FLO) Alliance, a group of industry leaders which includes Saflink Corporation, Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, Johnson Controls, Inc., ID Technology Partners and The Paradies Shops.

As a world leading provider of explosives trace detection and x-ray security screening equipment, Smiths Detection will supply the security equipment, including the Sentinel II explosives detection walk-through trace portals, for FLO, which is an RT Programme.

Stephen Phipson, Managing Director of Smiths Detection, said: “Smiths Detection continues to pursue the development of technologies that will optimize the passenger’s security checkpoint experience while providing increased overall security.

“We are pleased to have our security equipment, including the Sentinel II, included as a central part of the FLO Registered Traveller solution. Our advanced explosives screening system will not only benefit travellers by expediting the security screening process, it will also help free up airport security personnel to focus their attention on high-risk or unknown travellers.”

The Sentinel II is currently deployed at major metro-area and international airports, including JFK International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) and the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS).

The Sentinel II is a state-of-the-art explosives trace detection system which utilizes proven Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS). The walk-through trace portal operates automatically, passing air gently over a person from head to toe to release any particles that are naturally absorbed by or cling to a person’s clothing, hair or body. These particles are then drawn by a vacuum and collected for analysis. Detection of particles or vapours can indicate that a person is either carrying an explosive device or has come into contact with explosive substances.

“The efficiency and speed of checkpoint screening technology in FLO Registered Traveller lanes is an important differentiator from traditional security lanes,” said Glenn Argenbright, CEO of Saflink.

“With its advanced security technologies, checkpoint experience and track record, Smiths Detection will play an important role in establishing the FLO solution in the market place. The Sentinel II will significantly increase checkpoint throughput on FLO lanes, improve customer satisfaction and heighten security.”


About Smiths Detection
Smiths Detection is one of four operating divisions of Smiths Group. Smiths Detection offers technologically advanced security solutions to detect and identify explosives, chemical and biological agents, weapons, and contraband, plus specialist applications for life sciences and food manufacturing industries. Employing trace detection technology together with Smiths-Heimann x-ray imaging, Smiths Detection provides security solutions for customers in homeland security and defense markets worldwide.