SINGAPORE: Buses passing through Tuas Checkpoint will soon undergo an X-ray scan as part of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's (ICA) plans to implement “future-ready” checkpoints.
Two radiographic scanners have been installed at Tuas Checkpoint and will be in operation as early as June this year, said ICA during a media briefing on Thursday (Apr 26).
The installation of the bus scanners is part of the Ministry of Home Affair's plan to beef up its technological infrastructure, announced during Budget this year.
HOW IT WORKS
Buses coming into Tuas Checkpoint will first allow passengers to alight at a new disembarking area.
Bus drivers will then move their buses through an X-ray scanner which will make a detailed image of the vehicle instantly. However, the scan will exclude the driver’s area for safety reasons.
This image is relayed to an image analysis office and will be examined by officers for concealed contraband cigarettes, drugs, prohibited weapons or explosives among others.
The image analysis office where the officers will check for for concealed contraband cigarettes, among other things. (Photo: Fann Sim)
The bus lanes and scanning portals will be made free of officers. Officers who were previously in charge of boarding buses to do visual checks have been re-trained to perform X-ray image analysis and analytics-driven security profiling.
Bus lanes at Tuas Checkpoint will also be expanded from two to four lanes, with two scanners each serving two lanes. Both scanners will be able to scan up to 1,000 buses a day, within the expected daily volume of buses.
AdvertisementAdvertisementBAGGAGE CHECKS TO BE BROUGHT FORWARD BEFORE CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
ICA is also making changes to its passenger clearance process by bringing the baggage checks forward.
Passengers will have to go through security checks involving walk-through metal detectors and X-ray screening before immigration clearance. Currently, this step is being done after immigration clearance.
This will also be implemented by June this year, said ICA.
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Two radiographic scanners have been installed at Tuas Checkpoint and will be in operation as early as June this year, said ICA during a media briefing on Thursday (Apr 26).
The installation of the bus scanners is part of the Ministry of Home Affair's plan to beef up its technological infrastructure, announced during Budget this year.
HOW IT WORKS
Buses coming into Tuas Checkpoint will first allow passengers to alight at a new disembarking area.
Bus drivers will then move their buses through an X-ray scanner which will make a detailed image of the vehicle instantly. However, the scan will exclude the driver’s area for safety reasons.
This image is relayed to an image analysis office and will be examined by officers for concealed contraband cigarettes, drugs, prohibited weapons or explosives among others.
The bus lanes and scanning portals will be made free of officers. Officers who were previously in charge of boarding buses to do visual checks have been re-trained to perform X-ray image analysis and analytics-driven security profiling.
Bus lanes at Tuas Checkpoint will also be expanded from two to four lanes, with two scanners each serving two lanes. Both scanners will be able to scan up to 1,000 buses a day, within the expected daily volume of buses.
AdvertisementAdvertisementBAGGAGE CHECKS TO BE BROUGHT FORWARD BEFORE CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
ICA is also making changes to its passenger clearance process by bringing the baggage checks forward.
Passengers will have to go through security checks involving walk-through metal detectors and X-ray screening before immigration clearance. Currently, this step is being done after immigration clearance.
This will also be implemented by June this year, said ICA.
Let's block ads! (Why?)
More...