As we mentioned earlier, LiDAR is increasingly used in airport for security and non-security purposes. But how can a LiDAR system be set up right? This article takes a closer look.
As we
mentioned earlier,
LiDAR is increasingly used in
airports for security and non-security purposes. But how can a LiDAR system be set up right? This article takes a closer look.
LiDAR has increasingly found its way into airports. LiDAR stands for light detection and ranging and works by way of shooting laser beams into the environment and analyzing the beams that return. More and more, it’s used by airports as a viable solution not just for security, but for operational efficiency as well.
“To avoid lengthy waiting times at the security checkpoints, passenger volumes and movements in the check-in hall can be detected and analyzed. LiDAR-based people counting technology allows the staffing of the security checkpoints lanes to be adapted to the actual passenger traffic,” said Florian Petit, Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer of Blickfeld.
Advantages over video surveillance
Indeed, LiDAR offers certain benefits to airport operators, compared to conventional security systems such as
video surveillance. “3D LiDAR sensors can cover a very large area compared to traditional cameras by an order of magnitude. Coupled this with its hyper-accuracy, 3D LiDAR provides a significant total cost of ownership (TCO) advantage, which becomes even greater when considering the cost of infrastructure, cabling, and deployment. In short, you only need a few LiDAR sensors to cover the same area that would otherwise require several cameras to monitor,” said Enzo Signore, CEO of Quanergy Solutions.
Raul Bravo, President and Founder of Outsight, agrees.
“While LiDAR technology used to be quite expensive and more on the prototype level, it's now much more accessible both in terms of cost and performance,” he said. “The value you get from (Outsight partner) RoboSense LiDAR these days is impressive. Thanks to the company’s technological progress and increased production, it's become a more affordable option compared to regular camera systems. What really adds to its cost-effectiveness is using fewer units per square meter, cutting down on everything from hardware costs to installation, wiring, networking, and ongoing maintenance.”
Bravo adds that the cost saved from false alarms reduction achieved by LiDAR can also be significant. “LiDAR’s advanced features significantly mitigate the issue of false alarms, a major concern in security operations, where false alarm rates can reach as high as 97 percent, leading to alarm fatigue and potential security lapses. In 2022, these false alarms cost an estimated US$1.8 billion in wasted resources. LiDAR, especially when paired with sophisticated software, marks a significant advancement in this area,” he said.
Working in conjunction with cameras
Yet this doesn’t mean LiDAR can’t work in conjunction with cameras in airports. In fact, both technologies can complement each other quite well.
“3D LiDAR can easily become the ‘third eye’ of any security camera system. 3D LiDAR sensors provide object geolocation with pinpoint accuracy to the PTZ cameras to enable a ‘slew to cue’ workflow so the cameras never lose sight of the people/objects identified for tracking,” Signore said.
“In many scenarios, after the detection of unauthorized intrusions with LiDAR technology, cameras are employed for verification, which can also be beneficial in airports. However, careful attention must be paid to protecting individuals' privacy rights in this process,” Petit said. “The high resolution of the data provided by the Blickfeld Security solution can in certain cases eliminate the need for cameras for verification and distinguish people anonymously from other objects.”
Deploying a LiDAR system in airports
As with other types of security solutions, deploying a LiDAR system in airports requires careful planning and a thorough understanding of the airport environment.
“3D LiDAR deployment at commercial airports needs to be strategically planned and deployed just like a security camera-based solution to ensure that the desired wide area coverage is obtained,” Signore said.
“The optimal installation depends on the specific local conditions. Typically, an installation on the hall ceiling or other elevated areas is recommended, allowing the sensors to have a comprehensive view and minimizing the number of devices required. With Blickfeld’s Qb2 LiDAR solution, installation and operation are notably straightforward. This is due to the software on the device requiring less cabling, and the possibility of WLAN transmission of the data,” Petit said.
According to Bravo, successfully deploying a LiDAR solution hinges on three critical aspects: engaging with LiDAR technology experts, ensuring distinct expertise in hardware and software, and utilizing advanced 3D simulation software.
“The complex nature of LiDAR technology necessitates collaboration with seasoned professionals. This specialized technology requires expertise that many companies, traditionally offering old-fashioned solutions like Wifi tracking or Stereo-vision, may not possess,” he said.
Bravo added: “It's essential that hardware and software components are provided by expert entities, keeping a full inter-operability. Crafting LiDAR software is a complex task, more challenging than traditional computer vision software for cameras, and requires its own set of specialized skills, distinct from hardware design and manufacturing. For planning, advanced tools like Outsight's 3D LiDAR Simulator are indispensable in optimizing sensor setup, a crucial step in deployment. Utilized in over 2000 projects, this tool is both a pioneer and leader in its field.”