Today, like every year on January 26th, customs administrations of 180 member states of the World Customs Organisation are celebrating World Customs day. World Customs day recognizes the role of custom officials and agencies in maintaining border security.
Border security helps to preserve the local way of life and the cultural identity of the nation. Each country has different challenges dictated by social, geographic, economic and political factors, not to mention natural disasters and many other often unforeseen situations. Failing to have a proper border security in place may lead to economic instability, domestic unrest, violence and a potential increase on terrorist threats.
Border Security is a complex and dynamic activity that involves multiple factors and players. Geospatial technology can simplify and increase the efficiency in which border security officers perform their task to protect the nation’s border and its citizens.
Border Security involves air, land and sea. Therefore it is important that software used in this field is capable to deal will all three domains combining them seamlessly into one single operational picture.
As today is World Customs Day, let me explain you how Luciad helps security officers around the world.
Image Processing and Remote Sensing
Luciad does not only connect to traditional GIS data such as satellite images, terrain elevation, road information etc., but also combines this data with information collected from all kinds of sensors such as video cameras, intruder detection systems, radars, heat sensors and so on. The information from the sensors can be visualized in real-time on a map.
Besides visualizing data, Luciad also processes data with unmatched performance. For instance, images can be enhanced by adjusting opacity, brightness, sharpness and contrast on-the-fly. Color histograms can be adapted to get the most out of every image.
Multispectral images are a valuable tool in border security applications. They are used to spot the heat produced by human bodies or vehicles at night.
Change Detection
An important analysis tool in surveillance is change detection. By comparing two images taken at different times, changes can be identified that might indicate that something had been buried or someone has passed through the sand.
Luciad provides many visual comparison tools such as side by side comparison, swipe controllers and allows to switching from one image to another with just a simple click.
Video Feeds
Next to static imagery Luciad also handles live video feeds, for instance surveillance videos from UAV’s or fixed cameras. A video feed can be placed on the map just like imagery. Video feeds can be synchronized and replayed together with other data recordings such as historical tracks from other sensors or audio recordings.
Geofencing
Apart from physical fences, border security can rely on virtual fences on a map. Luciad enables you to easily create such borders or areas so alerts can be sent out whenever something enters or crosses the border of a restricted area. You can use any presence detection sensor for this such as motion detection, heat detection, sound detection, infrared, laser beams, radars, or other electromagnetic devices.
So next time you’re crossing a border, be aware that Luciad might be watching you!
