Applications of technology in airport access control

Airport access control has traditionally been achieved with electronic systems using ID cards (badges) and electrically controlled doors. There are limitations inherent in these systems, particularly the problems of lost badges and unauthorized access by way of piggybacking or tailgating. The FAA is the regulatory agency responsible for monitoring compliance of the airports to prevent unauthorized access to specified security areas of the airport. The FAA has recently completed the development of several security related guidebooks for airport operators who wish to improve their security and access control systems. The paper summarizes the key findings in these technology surveys. The Recommended Security Guidelines for Airport Planning, Design and Construction is a broad guideline, addressing all aspects of airport security, including access control. One guideline focuses on the use of biometric devices in airport employee access control and other airport applications. It covers a wide range of different technologies that appear to be suitable for airport use. Piggybacking at employee access points to the secure areas of the airport is the subject of the guideline Implementing Technology to Address Tailgating and Piggybacking at Airports. The problem of security breach of the checkpoint is addressed in the guideline Implementing Technology to Address Checkpoint Breaching in the Airport Environment. The paper focuses on the technological solutions that are generally high throughput, low maintenance, relatively low cost solutions, as those are the devices that are most attractive to airport operators providing security systems on a tight budget.