RFID for airport security and efficiency

The use of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags can aid the detection and identification of possible threats in a diverse range of applications from passenger check-in at airports to the detection of intruders. This paper investigates an automatic tracking system to improve airport efficiency and security by means of a cellular network of passive RFID receivers, combined with far-field active RFID tags which may be issued within boarding cards or as security badges. This paper will present findings on the system protocols, the expected performance of the tracking of individuals within the indoor environment, and discuss solutions to anticipated problems encountered by the implementation of such a system. The work described in this paper forms part of a larger integrated project, involving several consortium members, funded under the EU FP-6 programme. The main aim of the project is to improve airport efficiency and security through the active tracking of passengers and staff using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags combined with advanced high definition digital CCTV. The system aims to facilitate real-time location of individual passengers within the airport, the analysis of both mass traffic & individual behaviours, and where appropriate, the semi-automatic control of CCTV based vision systems to observe and record suspicious or unauthorised activity.