Abstract
Developments of computer software and hardware have resulted in e-gate; these gates have been adopted in some airports. E-gates are program-regulated gates used to clear passengers getting in or out of an airport. The system has numerous securities, efficiency, and revenue benefits to airports using them; however, the innovation is still young and requires more upgrading and development (GHAFOUR, 2010).
Introduction
The invention and innovation of computer applications has resulted in the development of electronic gate used in airports; the innovative electronic passport control system is used to boost security and facilitate the flow of people and commodities from and to airport.
The most successful e-gate has been installed at Dubai International Airport and King Khaled International Airport; the system has facilitated the flow of traffic in the airports; the innovation has attracted praises from frequent travelers and the staff operating the e-Gate system (Ghafour, 2010). This paper discusses how e-gates operate as well as the benefits they have brought to airports.
Methodology and structure
The report will approach the topic from a case referral point of view; it will do a literature review on the issue and will keep referring to the Dubai International Airport for review of their e-gate system that happens to be one of the most efficient systems in the world.
The first part of the report will cover introduction and methodology of the paper, then the body will consist of literature review and discussion section detailing what has been learnt from the literature review.
Literature review
Technology has been used in different section; the invention of e-gates has offered a breakthrough in security and quality service provision in airports. The system is integrate with
Business information system involved in e-gates
Airports need to have high security all the time, they are terrorists target points thus they need to be secured. On the other hand, they need there is need to have fast and efficient services as they are points of entry and exit of goods and services.
Electronic gates are computer-regulated gates, which interpolate input information offered by a person or luggage seeking opening or closing of the gate. The system operates like normal computer were information given are interpolated to trigger some action. In the airports, the gates use e-cards, barcodes and finger prints to function.
The program operating the entire system is set to interpolate information, contained in a chip, fingerprint, bar code or any other accepted access means. When the input at is passed through the system, the operating system functions as per the information that trigger a certain function; the system adopted is called dataviellance technology.
In Dubai International airport for example, passengers and staffs are given an electronic chip, which has information stored in the data base of the system; when someone want the gate to open, he swaps the card on the peripheral devise at the gate; in matters of micro-seconds sends the information to the operating system.
In the operating system, the information from the card is interpolated and compared with the fed action in the database; then it functions as it has been programmed. The technology adopted at Dubai International Airport e-gate allowed the system to have a pre-registered users where after giving their chip or finger print, the system can learn their information and make a decision to open the gate or not (Brain, 2011).
Advantages of e-gates
The main components of an e-gate is the operating system that is fed with some information and command codes to trigger a response after receiving information fed by the e-card, barcode or finger print. Every card is integrated with the system so as the system can recognize the command given by the card. The process of integrating the e-card, bar code and finger print is called “creating an account,” the duration of the card, the barcode and the finger prints is defined by the system such that after an expertly, a person cannot get access.
The system is made in a way that it can sense any effort to tamper with its operation and raises an alarm; as technology develops, the system is expected to be improved further to facial recognition technology where someone only need to come across the system and the fed data can tell the action that the person want.
When using e-gates, visitors in an airport will be cleared fast; the e-card that comes with the system has some information that the system can verify then allow accesses or deny; previously visitors had to wait for fiscal verification of their legality in a country; this called for long hours of queuing.
Airports are entry points of people with different intentions in a country; when a foreigner is getting to another country, there is need to have valid documents like passport, visa and other legal documents, these documents needs to be verifying and the receiving country be certain that the intention of the visitor has been known.
When swapping the cards, the time taken is minimal and saves space on passports; traditionally when a passenger was being cleared, the immigration officer had to stamp the passport to clear the passenger, with the invention, this move never will happen.
The system has the ability of reading carious intergraded databases and verifies all the documents that need to be verified within some minimal time; this benefits the receiving country in making sure they clear people within minimal time. Immigration department is the one that stands to benefit from the goodies stated above.
The customs and revenue collection department has a share of benefits from the system; before one is cleared by the system, the system checks with the revenue department if there are any dues that the visitor has not settled; this facilitates collection of taxes and revenue.
Security is another area that the company has looked into, the fed data that the system is verifying determines the response that the system will have, the system offers an advanced, reliable and fail-safe screening system; if the information cannot be verified, then the system denies the person at hand access.
With the current satellite integration for world surveillance, the international data collection centers have the chance of getting information of terrors attacking different countries; they will be able to offer the system with some information that when they come across the information, it raises alarm for easy capture of the person at hand.
Access and departure at airports of great importance to a country, the country needs the data for decision making, when using the system, it can be integrated with the national data collection for security reasons. International security forces want some people, they are likely to use some airport to access different places with well-integrated system, and such people can be arrested easily.
According to Worldroom Travel Digest, passengers who have used Dubai international airport had said that the system was efficient, secure and reliable; the passengers and staffs felt that the system was efficient in facilitating quick access to the airport to those people rushing to board a plane as well as those returning to Dubai.
Addressing the milestone that the company had gone because of the system, Colonel Saeed bin Belailah, Director of DNRD said, “e-Gate has come as a blessing to regular travelers through Dubai International Airport, going by the extremely positive feedback we have received from registered users,” (Worldroom Travel Digest, 2003).
The above statement was an indication of the breakthrough that the airport has gotten from the invention; the manager went further to clarify that the invention has reduced queues at passport control a move that has facilitated transport of goods and people.
When using the system, passengers whether getting back to a country or coming to the country for a visit, makes them feel privileged and welcome; the efficiency and the friendliness of the system make people feel comfortable with the country and probably a promise for better things in the country. Having efficient and quality services right from the entry of a country offers a welcoming, peaceful environment.
Management methods, measures, and techniques
Security and business information departments in an airport manage the gates, with the assistance of information and technology department. The management ensures that the gates are safe and they are operating in the most appropriate manner. In case there is a problem, the issue is handled with urgency since their failure can result to massive loss in the airport in the form of revenue and reputation (Dubai International Airport Official Website, 2011).
Discussion and observation
E-gates have offered a breakthrough in security and clearance issues in airports that have adopted them; they are efficient and reliable systems that assist a country to control the accumulation of queues waiting for clearance at the airport.
When using the system the main areas that are facilitated are security, customs and revenue collection departments, the immigration and customer service departments. The efficiency of the system has made them reliable and has continued being used to facilitate the flow of people and goods into and out of airports.
When someone is arriving to a country for the first time, the reception that he gets from the airports goes a long way in shaping the attitude, and perception that the person holds for the country: with an e-gate, visitors feel welcome and immediately creates a positive attitude and perception towards the country (Dubai international, 2011).
Conclusion and recommendations
Scientific innovation and invention of computer hardware and software have resulted in e-gate system in airports. The gates use pre-fed data to accept command input via e-cards, fingerprints or bar codes.
E-gates are effective, fast, and accurate; they are able to clear passengers getting into or departing from the airport in a matter of seconds. Although the system is young, more research and development need to be done to incorporate other data capture methods like eyes, face, and scent recognition; when such developments are done, the system will be more efficient and reliable.
References
Brain, M. (2011). How Electronic Gates Work. Web.
Dubai International Airport Official Website. (2011). Dubai International Airport. Web.
Dubai international. (2011). Departing. Web.
Ghafour, A. (2010). E-gate system introduced at two airports. Web.
Worldroom Travel Digest. (2003). E-Gate earns praise for simplifying passport control. Web.