Airport Gate Control / Security Management System / Contractor and Vendor Management

Airport Gate Control – Manageable at last

Gate control plays a crucial role at airports. Until now, gate control was often managed locally at the gate. This will change with gate control by Nedap. The gate control application derives from Nedap’s security controller, the world’s first controller that combines all security functions previously performed by separate dedicated systems in one generic device. The so called gate controller links the gates with a network that centrally monitors the door settings and with a database that contains the personal data and biometric characteristics of the airport’s staff. At the same time, the controller manages the task of locally controlling the gate. A winning combination that significantly improves security and efficiency.

At European airports, gate control is essential for monitoring the difference between Schengen and non-Schengen* passengers. The situation at many airports is still such that the staff member who is responsible for the gate has to personally check all the entrances each time an aircraft arrives or departs. This person controls the doors for each docked aircraft, either manually or using some form of technology. The gates are multifunctional and are used for flights from Schengen and non-Schengen countries. For that reason, access via the gate needs to be set up in a way that arriving and departing travelers are separated accordingly. The most important issue is to be absolutely sure that the various passenger flows follow different routes. The gate doors are generally controlled using passes or a key system, possibly in combination with a local technical set-up that locks or opens the doors. This often requires a manual intervention that has to be performed under the supervision of the authorized member of staff who is present.

Gate Controller
In collaboration with NEDAP, a number of airports have drawn up a list of requirements to make their gate controls both easier to check and more secure. The main objective was to keep existing local control equipment operational in view of the investment involved. Linking the control system to a network infrastructure was the main change that NEDAP introduced. All the gate doors in the system can now be monitored online via the network. The gate controller plays a crucial role in this. The operating equipment and the doors are connected to this controller. The programs that control the doors are still locally present (in the gate controllers) but are visible in the central online display. Moreover, the system can reference staff data and data relating to contractors who may be active at the airport both centrally and locally. This information includes the passes that have been issued to these persons and their biometric data. The gate controller links the personal data on somebody's pass, that person’s biometric data and the code (flight number) to a defined door configuration. After the correct values have been entered, the gate is set up according to the agreed procedure.

Greater Security
Verification of the identity of the staff member who is authorized to operate a gate is an important factor in improving gate control security. Verification using biometric data minimizes the chance that unauthorized personnel operates the gate. Security and efficiency are further improved by the use of codes or flight numbers to automatically set doors to the right configuration. The authorized staff member at the gate enters a code (or flight number), which is used to automatically set the gate doors to the right position. This takes place locally, because it happens regularly that aircrafts have to dock at another gate, making it necessary to change the door settings as well. The doors that have been set generate a feedback signal to confirm that they have in fact adopted the set configuration. Only then does the process of aircraft embarkation or disembarkation start. The doors at the gate are opened for a programmed time. Movement detectors signal the movement of persons in the gate. If movement is no longer detected for a preset time, the gate door closes automatically. Obviously the door can also be closed before this (centrally/locally).

Greater Efficiency
The use of a network infrastructure and gate controllers saves time and makes it possible to operate the gates with less personnel. The chance of errors is also minimized and possible errors/abuse are reported immediately. The network allows the control programs at each gate to be viewed and ensures consistent control. A network failure does not prevent execution of the programs as they are locally active. Implementing changes to the control program however takes place centrally; this is faster and less complex than changing all the gates at local level. The link to the HR system means that a staff member’s personal data are directly accessed by the gate controller. The information at the gate is always current because the system is updated immediately when a staff member leaves the company or when a staff member’s authorization is suspended. All the events relating to persons, gate operation and door positions are collated and given a clear date and time stamp. The system can be set in such a way that combinations of events automatically result in an increased state of alertness or trigger an alarm. Data that are stored in the database can easily be retrieved via a search function and are directly available.

Visual identification
Some airports have indicated a need for visual identification when setting and operating the gates. Video images can be linked to existing authorizations by connecting a local IP camera to the gate controller. This means, for example, that the gate may only be released for operation after the image of the staff member has been verified against the information in the database. A further option is to store the video footage together with the registered events. This can be particularly handy when events need to be evaluated at a later stage; instead of looking at badge numbers, you can immediately see the faces of the people involved in a particular event on the corresponding video footage.