Spain Trials Biometric EES, Paving Way for EU Rollout
The European Union is moving forward with implementing its ‘Smart Borders’ package. This initiative aims to make crossing Europe’s borders easier for bona fide travellers. It also focuses on protecting Europeans. Among the initiatives is the Entry/Exit System (EES) which will register travellers’ entry and departure data. It also includes biometrics of non-EU nationals crossing the external borders of Member States.
It will introduce new technology, equipment, and processes for border officers and travellers. Preparing Member States for these vital changes at border crossing points (BCPs) was a crucial challenge. For this reason, the Research and Innovation Unit of Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, made a concerted effort to pilot the EES processes by applying technologies at busy border crossings.
Project
Solution: Border Security
Region: Estonia
Year: 2020
Operational Simulation of EES Systems
The Land Border Pilot Project simulated EES processes using Laxton’s solutions. The aim was to facilitate seamless border crossings, mainly focussing on pedestrian travellers. The task involved providing an EES-compliant solution, considering the technical specificities of two Member States.
The technology required a core system connected to the national border management systems and an EES mock-up database. The solution needed to efficiently register data, enabling travellers to scan documents and capture biometric information. The objectives were to:
Speed up processing times
Reduce the workload of border guards
Respect the space constraints at BCPs
Cooperation with eu-LISA for Efficient Border Control
eu-LISA facilitated the exchange of technical and operational information regarding the EES biometric functionalities. Frontex encouraged stakeholders to develop new products and methods to enhance the pilot operations. Innovations included seamless biometric capture, mobile registration workstations, touchless fingerprint scanners, and biometric e-Corridors.
The core systems included four Self-Service Kiosks and two biometric corridors at each crossing.
Laxton’s mobile devices supported the core system operations. The setup included hardware and software, along with development and integration services. For this, Chameleon 8 devices were supplied to enable:
Stand-alone mobile registration and verification. This allowed border control at any location within the BCP.
Supervision of the Self-Service Kiosks and the e-Corridor for border crossings.
The kiosks enabled the registration and verification of up to four travellers simultaneously, all under the supervision of one border guard. Following this, the Biometric Corridor facilitated a seamless crossing by utilising biometric recognition while travellers were on the move.
Volunteers Test System for Complete Registration
Travellers volunteered to test the technology and processes during the pilot project. They used Self-Service Kiosks and Laxton’s mobile devices to register their biometric data. This data was integrated into a mock-up EES database, aligned with the national border checks system. Strict adherence to data protection regulations ensured that travellers could complete all required actions, simulating a border crossing experience.
97% Verification Success Rate Achieved in Member State
Border officials at BCPs in Spain and Bulgaria aimed to enhance technical processes for implementing the EES in all Member States.
The average processing time for third-country national (TCN) traveller registration in Spain was 69 seconds, with TCN Visa Exempt travellers averaging about 20 seconds for departure controls and a successful verification rate of 97%.
In Bulgaria, devices from different stakeholders led to less success, with TCN registration averaging just over 91 seconds and a verification rate of 48.3%. Consequently, Bulgaria will use Laxton devices to improve performance and efficiency in the upcoming roll-out.
Success-Driven Insights on Technology Performance
The evaluation of the devices was critical for understanding what worked well in the simulation and what required improvement. The following key insights were revealed:
Network Connectivity: Robust network connectivity ensured continuity during mobile operations. This capability enhanced reliability and effectiveness in real-time processing.User
Interface Design: The intuitive interface communicated background check information effectively. This feature assisted border guards in making informed and timely decisions, improving operational efficiency.Handling Peak
Travel Times: Laxton’s mobile solutions seamlessly addressed busy BCPs, ensuring smooth operations during peak travel.
Data Capture: Biometric data was accurately and quickly processed while on the move, ensuring efficient and reliable traveller verification.
29,020 Unique Registrations
Over six months, 29,020 unique transactions were conducted using the piloted systems during real border operations. This involved approximately 15,000 travellers. This represented the most extensive operational test of EES data quality compliance. The process involved two steps; travellers approached the Self-Service Kiosks to register their data and then moved to the e-Corridor, which recognised them based on their earlier registration. Depending on the Self-Service Kiosks outcomes and the border guard’s decision, travellers were allowed to cross the border or directed to manual checks.
The deployed system was flexible, handling various BCP scenarios as an entry and exit installation for EU and TCN travellers. While primarily focussed on pedestrians, it also processed vehicle travellers without requiring them to exit their vehicles. The system’s portability and compact size made it ideal for border authorities, allowing for quick allocation and relocation to BCPs needing intensive automation.
The Future of Border Operations
The project initially planned for one border guard to supervise the enrolment of four travellers. However, one or two assistants were needed to manage queues and support the Self-Service Kiosks. This arrangement improved productivity, and although better training could reduce the number of guards required, the current setup was more efficient than manual processing.
The project offered a unique chance to test concepts for planning flows, processes, and technologies vital for EES operations. The system’s implementation will significantly impact border guards and national authorities by introducing new technology and processes for officers and travellers.
