Maryland Adds Video to Transportation Security

When a passenger tests positive for explosives residue, a close-up digital image of that person is transmitted to one or more stationary or portable video displays that alert security personnel to intercept the individual and conduct additional screening tests. The alert includes the precise location of the gate that the person is attempting to enter. A digital image is stored and distributed only when a passenger tests positive for explosives residue, to protect the privacy of others.

BroadWare Technologies Inc., a leader in distributed digital video surveillance, has delivered the BroadWare Media Management System (BMMS) to Cubic Corporation to provide video security functionality for a specialized explosives detection system tested successfully in the Baltimore MTA subway.

This Early Warning Explosives Detection System (EWEDS) is integrated with Cubic's advanced automatic public transit fare collection system. EWEDS incorporates GE Security's ITMS trace technology and BroadWare's digital video platform. The integrated system was designed to detect explosives residue on passengers as they purchase tickets prior to passing through fare gates. If a passenger tests positive for explosives, access to fare gates is denied and security and law enforcement are alerted to the potential threat. The explosives analysis is completed in seconds and adds no additional time to the ticket transaction.
The Baltimore MTA project also included the participation of the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology unit, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).