Transportation Security Engineering

 

Since 1992, GST has supported the FAA (and now the Department of Homeland Security) in improving the technology and evaluating the effectiveness of US aviation and transportation security. Great strides have been made in securing the public against threats such as explosives in baggage and deranged fellow travelers. Now, the threat has escalated to include deliberate suicide assaults by well organized and well financed international terrorist organizations. The entire US is on the front line in a new kind of warfare.

GST personnel developed training doctrine to teach Security Screeners how to produce efficient and reliable results using Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) equipment for checked and carry-on baggage.  GST also manufactures training aids and kits that simulate disguised IED explosive threats to support visual and x-ray training for security personnel and first responders.

Our mission is to bring technology and know-how to bear on the problem, to help create solutions that produce maximum protection for the public, with the least possible infringement on the rights of individuals.

  Protection of the air traveling public begins long before their flights take off. The Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) is engaged in fostering the development of state-of-the-art security systems and equipment to counter terrorism aimed at Civil Aviation, public transportation, and the US transportation infrastructure.

  In addition, GST has developed and documented specific techniques to evaluate critical instrument characteristics such as lower limit of detection, minimum alarm level, linearity, precision, baseline drift, and saturation points. Outside of the laboratory, GST has contributed to the successful evaluation of these systems in an operational airport.

  GST personnel are involved in development of training for large numbers of airport Screeners in how to produce efficient and reliable results using Explosive Trace Detection equipment for checked baggage.

  GST has supported all aspects of the TSA's test and evaluation of these systems including systems analysis, development of test protocols, test plans, and test procedures. In addition, GST has been an active participant in many TSA test efforts to include system operation, configuration control, data collection and analysis, and documentation of test results.

 The three primary classifications of aviation / transportation security systems and equipment include; bulk explosives detection, trace explosives detection, and weapons detection systems. Bulk explosive detection systems typically employ nuclear, enhanced X-ray, computerized tomography or other technologies to detect the presence of explosive material based on its elemental or structural properties. Trace explosives detection systems are designed to collect, analyze, and identify trace amounts of explosive material. Trace detection systems, not unlike precise chemical instruments, require an extensive laboratory test protocol to effectively evaluate their performance. GST has been a primary participant in theoretical and practical development and certification of these technologies.
Copyright© 2008 GST, Inc.