Maximum security for seamless airport operations

3D LiDAR as innovative airport security technology

Airport security is crucial for safeguarding passengers, staff, and infrastructure. As major travel hubs, airports handle large volumes of people and cargo, making them prime targets for terrorism, smuggling, and unauthorized access. The absence of early warning systems and slow responses further underscore the need for advanced airport security technology to ensure protection. Extensive perimeters and numerous checkpoints present significant security challenges in airports. The constant movement of aircraft, vehicles, people, and wildlife adds complexity to threat detection. Additionally, outdoor areas are affected by fluctuating weather and environmental conditions throughout the year. To be effective, airport security technology must adapt to these dynamic environments and provide reliable coverage across diverse and busy areas.

Blickfeld QbProtect, the Smart 3D Security LiDAR, sets new standards in airport security technology. With precise volumetric detection, it reliably monitors vast airport areas and security-critical zones such as perimeters and hangars, independent of lighting and weather conditions. QbProtect’s individually definable 3D security zones safeguard parked aircraft or restricted areas and trigger immediate alerts in case of unauthorized access. Thanks to on-device software with intelligent alarm logic, common sources of false alarms such as small animals or vegetation are filtered out, ensuring that only security-relevant events are reported. In addition, Blickfeld QbProtect integrates seamlessly into existing airport security infrastructures.

Volumetric protection for dynamic airport environments

QbProtect delivers precise 3D LiDAR data, enabling comprehensive monitoring of perimeters, runways, and hangars. Customizable 3D zones can be flexibly defined via software around parked aircraft or restricted areas to immediately trigger alarms in case of unauthorized access.

Reliable airfield perimeter protection without false alarms

QbProtect reliably filters out false alarms caused by small animals, moving vegetation, or changing weather conditions thanks to object-size-based detection and intelligent alarm logic. Individually configurable alarm zones further enable both early warnings in case of suspicious movements and immediate alerts in the event of a fence breach.

Seamless integration in existing security infrastructure

Thanks to open interfaces (MQTT, ONVIF, RTSP), QbProtect integrates seamlessly into existing VMS and PSIM platforms. Combined with onboard data processing, which eliminates the need for external computing units, and Power-over-Ethernet, the transition to LiDAR technology is straightforward.

All-weather detection in challenging outdoor conditions

Airports are exposed to extreme environmental conditions throughout the year, from heavy rain and snowfall to dense fog. QbProtect operates independently of ambient light, reliably detecting objects in both bright sunlight and complete darkness. Even in adverse weather conditions, LiDAR ensures precise detection.

SUCCESS STORIES

Monitoring a Critical Airfield Access Point

At Kassel Airport, Blickfeld’s 3D LiDAR technology has proven essential for securing a vital airfield access point, delivering accurate directional detection and drastically reducing false alarms caused by weather or shadows—ensuring dependable monitoring without physical barriers.

Passenger Flow Monitoring

An example of effective passenger flow management using LiDAR technology is demonstrated in the success story at Frankfurt Airport, where Blickfeld’s solutions enhanced queue management and staffing efficiency.

Our Security Solutions for Airports

Compliance with Security Restricted Area (SRA) Regulations

Adhering to Security Restricted Area (SRA) regulations is essential for airport security. 3D LiDAR technology enables precise monitoring of transitions between airside and landside zones. By accurately determining the direction of object movement through defined areas, LiDAR helps prevent unauthorized crossings into restricted regions, maintaining compliance with aviation security standards through advanced airport security technology.

Ramp/Apron & Aircraft Security

Ramp and apron areas, where aircraft are parked and serviced, are vulnerable to tampering and unauthorized access. 3D LiDAR provides reliable surveillance of these high-traffic outdoor zones, detecting any suspicious activity or attempts to breach security. It offers precise monitoring of parked aircraft, safeguarding them from potential threats using cutting-edge airport security technology.

Hangar Security

Securing aircraft hangars against unauthorized access and vandalism is challenging due to their large, open structures and multiple entry points. LiDAR technology addresses this by providing precise monitoring through virtual 3D zones around each aircraft. These zones use advanced 3D data to detect unauthorized individuals based on object size and movement direction, enhancing detection accuracy.

Airport Perimeter Security

Securing extensive airport perimeters is vital for preventing unauthorized access. LiDAR delivers robust surveillance across large, complex boundaries, effectively monitoring these areas. Its 3D point cloud technology adapts to varying environmental conditions, such as changing vegetation and weather, and filters out disturbances from small animals and other irrelevant sources. This minimizes false alarms and ensures continuous, reliable intrusion detection while maintaining a secure boundary around the airport.

Passenger Flow Management in Terminal Buildings

Efficient management of passenger movement within terminal buildings is crucial to avoid disruptions and delays. 3D LiDAR ensures adherence to designated one-way paths, preventing passengers from mistakenly re-entering restricted areas after luggage pickup. By accurately monitoring these routes, LiDAR minimizes disturbances and delays, enhancing overall operational efficiency. Additionally, its anonymized 3D data protects passenger privacy by tracking movement without identifying individuals.

Runway and Taxiway Safety

Runway and taxiway safety is critical for smooth airport operations. LiDAR provides precise, real-time monitoring with its advanced 3D data capabilities. By establishing security zones within the 3D point cloud and setting parameters for alarm triggers—such as object size and movement direction—LiDAR can accurately detect and track objects. This helps identify potential hazards or unauthorized activity, enhancing safety and preventing incidents on runways and taxiways.

Aircraft Security on the Rollfield

Securing aircraft on the rollfield is critical, especially since airplane doors have no keys and cannot be locked from the inside or outside. LiDAR offers effective monitoring of these high-traffic areas by detecting unauthorized access or tampering attempts through its precise 3D data. Resilient to most weather conditions, including sunlight, rain, fog, and snow, LiDAR provides continuous and reliable surveillance, addressing security needs in rollfield areas where other measures might be inadequate.

Blog Post

Securing Parked Aircrafts

LiDAR technology provides a robust solution for securing parked aircraft, effectively addressing tampering and minimizing false alarms.

Reducing False Alarms with 3D LiDAR

LiDAR technology helps to significantly reduce false alarms by enabling precise object detection – regardless of weather, lighting conditions or sources of interference.

Technology Comparison for Airport Security

	Strenghts	Limitations
Cameras	High image quality and resolution; Relatively low acquisition costs; Easy installation	Strong dependence on light sources; Poor image quality and unreliable detection in various weather conditions; Privacy concerns
Thermal Cameras	Detects heat signatures; Useful in low-light conditions; Greater range and lower false alarm rate compared to traditional cameras	Issues with residual heat from aircrafts; Limited detection through glass or plastic; Highly dependent on weather conditions: rain, snow, and strong sunlight can affect the thermal image
Radar	Effective for detecting movement over large areas; Large range; Light-independent	Limited sensitivity and accuracy in distinguishing objects; No visual feedback / no high-resolution images for alarm verification; Complex integration and maintenance
Inductive Loops	Good for detecting vehicle presence	Can be bypassed; Sensitive to temperature gradients and environmental changes
Motion Sensor	Simple and cost-effective for detecting movement	Mainly suitable for indoor use; No visual feedback; no depth information
2D Scanner	Precise, real-time distance measurement; Day and night operation	Limited to single-plane scanning; No 3D depth information; Unable to detect object size or shape effectively
3D LiDAR	Provides precise 3D data; Effective day and night, and in varying weather conditions; Minimizes false alarms from environmental factors	High acquisition costs; Complex data processing

Monitoring with Blickfeld's LiDAR scanner has made object detection at Kassel Airport significantly more reliable - even in challenging weather conditions. Objects are accurately classified in 3D space, and alerts are now limited to relevant events. Our staff has seen a measurable reduction in workload.

The Blickfeld 3D Security LiDAR is the ideal addition to our video, fence and ground detection systems. The ability to precisely detect the position of objects and people even at long distances is a real game changer. The 3D data analysis not only provides us with precise information about the position of people, but also valuable insights into their movement patterns. This shortens reaction times considerably and enables security personnel to act more proactively. I can recommend the Blickfeld 3D Security LiDAR to any company that wants to take its security infrastructure to the next level.

Get in Touch

Would you like to learn more about Blickfeld QbProtect and the applications of 3D LiDAR technology in security? Send us a message, give us a call, or schedule a meeting—we’re happy to assist you!