On April 24th our partner, European Association of Air and Seaport Police (EAASP), led a workshop titled “Shaping the future requirements for traveller verification at the European borders” at the World Border Security Congress. Led by Dr Richard Chisnall, the workshop gathered more than 70 people to discuss end-user requirements and wishes. Through a highly interactive session, participants gathered to identify the main areas for improvement and potential pitfalls for new solutions.
While reliability remains a cornerstone of new solutions, end-users are now also looking to make border crossing more efficient and traveller friendly. New technology offerings should focus on usability, understandability, and ensuring the same level of security. Attendees pointed out that many sophisticated technologies are already at their disposal to identify travellers. However, many are not easy to use and do not include explainability mechanisms. This leads to more obstacles resulting in higher wait times and misused technologies. The arrival of the Entry Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will at least temporarily slow an already time-consuming process, leading authorities to further prioritise minimum delays and disruption in new solutions. With efficiency, frictionless identification and security at its core, SafeTravellers fully plans to address this requirement in its research through easy-to-use and interoperable solutions. The proposed solution would link the travel credentials to the individual and employ biometrics to ensure more secure identification, avoiding counterfeitable identity and travel documents while minimising stops and delays. Additionally, the research on risk evaluation technology, which uses AI to analyse unusual patterns, was of particular interest to participants as it would alleviate the workload of border agents.
To reach the simplification goal, new solutions should also include training tailored to end-users. This both ensures knowledge around new technologies and use cases, and that human aptitudes remain at the core of border crossing. Efficient training will be of even higher importance with the implementation of EES/ETIAS, which could limit the adoption of technologies that would further disrupt authorities’ role or slow border crossing. SafeTravellers addresses this need through Training Needs Analysis and the development of dedicated training modules. The project will also seek end-user involvement to consider all relevant needs. Wish to be involved? Get in touch via our contact form!
The final conclusion of the session was the need for adaptability to fit a wide range of use cases. For solutions aiming at both controlled and non-controlled border crossing environments, additional multifunctionality and mobility considerations apply. Simplifying non-controlled border crossing in environments such as land borders implies reducing operator workload and specific training to all applicable modalities. With pilots in air, sea, and land borders, including inside buses and trains, SafeTravellers will use the expertise of internal border forces partners and external stakeholders to consider the needs of different actors. The final solution aims to be as appropriate, simplified, and interoperable as possible.
SafeTravellers will participate in the 2025 edition of the World Border Security Congress and provide updates on how it integrated the end-user requirements into its research. The European Association of Airport & Seaport Police (EAASP) will also unveil plans for the 4 pilot testing on the components:
– attacking biometrics at Airports;
– fraudulent identity and travel document at sea and land borders;
– new way of identification at the land borders and within vehicles; and
– enhanced current identification on railway premises.