Adelaide Airport to trial new body scanner

Wednesday 19 April, 2017

Adelaide Airport will today start a month-long trial of a high-speed full body scanner to help

passengers clear the central security screening point faster.

The Rohde & Schwarz Quick Personnel Security Scanner completes a scan in a matter of

seconds, automatically detecting potentially dangerous items. It will operate in addition to the

current four screening lanes at Adelaide Airport.

Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Mark Young, said the new scanning technology, which

was already in place across the UK and Europe, would make it easier and quicker to scan

customers.

“The open plan design means passengers simply stand in front of the scanner with their arms

held slightly away from the body,” Mr Young said.

“This will make for a more pleasant experience, particularly for customers with medical

conditions or those with medical implants who might otherwise activate an alarm at the current

‘walk through’ metal detectors.

“Objects are recognised by an evaluation of the reflected (backscattered) microwave signal.

“The system is considered very safe. The microwaves are of very low intensity, and several

orders of magnitude below the signal level of mobile phones.

“If the scanner reports an alarm, the location of the object is marked on a generic graphic of

the human body – with no identifying features – preserving the privacy of passengers.”

The trial will take place from 19 April to 19 May.