Mühlbauer - Smart Passenger Management

Connecting all the touch points along the passenger’s journey through the airport based on biometric identification improves security and efficiency and increases passenger satisfaction.

Rising passenger volumes and growing public concerns about security are just some of the challenges that airport operators, airlines and border authorities are currently facing. In these conditions, balancing convenient passenger facilitation and protection requires a close cooperation between all involved stakeholders. They need to team up for managing the entire passenger flow through the airport via interconnected systems including airport security, airline systems and border management. In addition pre-checks and a higher level of automation will significantly reduce the risk of human error and thus increase overall security.

Integrated touch points

The MB IDVERSO^® FASTLANE has been developed in order to meet the requirements of an automated passenger flow. To improve the security and efficiency of passenger identification the system is equipped with face capture units and is connected to the border management system. Based on biometric identification and verification, the FASTLANE allows passengers to carry out all steps of the process flow autonomously using self-service units for check-in, baggage drop-off, security check, automated border control and boarding.

During enrollment at a check-in kiosk the booking information is matched against the passenger’s ePassport. The identity is verified based on live-captured personal and biometric data and an individual passenger dataset is created. This passenger dataset includes demographic and biometric data such as face or fingerprint or iris. The standard biometric characteristic is the passenger’s face.

The passenger dataset is temporarily stored in the background system of the airport. At each touch point of the MB IDVERSO^® FASTLANE the background system automatically identifies the passenger based on biometric data which is captured live and matched against the temporary passenger dataset. New information such as luggage data, successful security check, authorization for border clearance and finally the status “on board” is successively added to the passenger dataset.

Enhanced security

Smart surveillance systems and connected information sources between various stakeholders are the keys to a higher security level at airports and on flights. The border police can perform identity background checks starting from the first touch point where the passenger is registered and while the passenger proceeds through all the touch points. Beside person and document verification, related information can be retrieved from connected databases or watch lists. Thus potential security threats can be identified long before the passenger comes into obvious contact with border police systems. The result of this risk assessment is added to the passenger dataset.

Despite comprehensive pre-checks, the unsuspicious passenger’s journey through the airport is not delayed. Passengers need to present their travel document and boarding pass only once, since they are identified via face recognition whenever they approach any touch point. This reduces waiting times and minimizes queues.

Connecting government systems and international police databases with airport and airline information systems takes airport security management to a new level. As all processes are highly automated, the border police and security staff can concentrate on high-risk individuals. Passengers are tracked along their journey through the airport via on-the-fly person recognition and can be redirected to detailed inspection at any touch point. This gives authorities a head start in their fight against terrorism, organized crime and illegal immigration.

Improved convenience

The MB IDVERSO^® FASTLANE not only supports efficient facilitation of increasing passenger numbers in the same environment, but it also contributes to a high-quality airport experience. Simplified and transparent workflows, reduced queue times and hazzle-free procedures create a laid-back atmosphere which travelers will appreciate. Feeling safe and relaxed, they can spend more time in shops and restaurants instead of waiting in queues.

The temporary passenger dataset can also be used for granting access to club lounges, VIP zones or premium services. Personalized services can be offered to passengers based on their known preferences, for example to owners of a frequent-flyer card, if the relevant system is connected to the FASTLANE system. New loyalty programs can be set up and integrated as well.

Creating synergies

Mühlbauer provides comprehensive turnkey solutions for airport passenger management, including Automated Border Control systems (MB FAST GATE series), biometric self-enrollment units (MB KIOSK) as well as mobile identification and verification solutions. Due to space-saving components and optimized workflows, the MB IDVERSO^® FASTLANE allows to handle more passengers than before based on the existing building capacity, also in combination with a modern and barrier-free airport interior.

Automatically collected data from inspection processes can be used to generate statistical reports and analyze overall system performance and passenger acceptance. This allows to continually improve workflows and staff allocation and to align them with changing conditions.

Moreover, integrating the MB IDVERSO^® FASTLANE into nationwide border management solutions ensures a secure and efficient flow of passengers at all air, land and sea borders. Centralized systems minimize local administration requirements at border posts, as all inspection routines follow a unified process. Combining the border management solution with a national visa system is just another possibility covered by Mühlbauer’s portfolio.

For more information please visit www.muehlbauer.de