News & Newsletter

The Center for Adaptive Security Research and Applications (CASRA) will host a webinar titled “What you are seeing is not exactly what was scanned…A review of some key concepts that will Improve your image analysis accuracy and effectiveness,” during which our subject matter expert and instructor will present some of the topics that are taught in our new training on X-ray image analysis and interpretation for high energy systems. If interested in participating in the webinar, please contact customerrelations@casra.ch.

CASRA is delighted to announce the launch of its newly released X-ray Image Analysis and Interpretation Training for High Energy Systems. The training combines the theoretical knowledge necessary to perform X-ray image interpretation with image analysis exercises, all delivered within X-Ray Tutor 4 and is complemented either by in person or virtual instruction. At course completion, every participant will be fully proficient in image analysis and interpretation of X-ray images generated with high energy systems.

The Center for Adaptive Security Research and Applications (CASRA) is constantly working on enhancing its products and services. Thus, we are delighted to announce that the following training modules are now available on XRT4: Cargo with Dangerous Goods (DG) dual-view, Customs dual-view, Critical Infrastructures single-view, Cabin Baggage Screening (CBS) with multiple threats per image dual-view, Hold Baggage Screening without Dangerous Goods (DG) dual-view, and Mail with cabin baggage screening threats single-view. More modules will be available soon.

Since 2012, we have been publishing newsletters in which we summarize CASRA’s research results and refer to trends in the security sector. The latest issue covers the human-machine interaction between security screeners and automated explosive detection systems for cabin baggage screening as well as the results of the International Cargo Screening Study conducted together with the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, please subscribe to our newsletter.

Swedavia, a state-owned company that owns and operates ten of Sweden’s busiest airports, has been using CASRA’s computer-based training and regulator-compliant assessment software since 2016. As of May 1, 2021, Swedavia has implemented the new XRT4, which will not only provide their security officers with single-view images in CBS, HBS and Cargo as before, but also dual-view images, plus the additional new feature outlining XRT4, 3D CT images.

We are pleased to announce that Greenland Airports has chosen to train their security officers with CASRA’s complete suite, the X-Ray Tutor 4 (XRT4). The highly effective and efficient individually adaptive computer-based X-ray image interpretation training is compliant with EU regulations and is used at Greenland’s airports for initial and recurrent training with CBS, HBS and cargo single- and dual-view images.

Two members of CASRA presented their current research findings at the congress of “Gesellschaft für Arbeitswissenschaft e.V.”, GfA, from March 3 to 5. The goal of the conference is to discuss important issues related to work design. CASRA’s first presentation addressed the practical issue of whether passengers can leave laptops in their carry-on luggage when the EDSCB is in use. The second study addressed whether it is feasible to perform X-ray screenings longer than 20 minutes in CBS. Link

The web-based international hold baggage screening benchmarking pilot has just launched within the Innovation in Security – Processes and Technology 100% Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) One-Stop Security Initiative by IATA [read more here]. CASRA is proud to be leading the work on developing and testing a commonly recognized industry image interpretation and assessment tool for HBS. If you would like to learn about the initiative or even participate, please contact aviationsecurity@iata.org.

We are pleased to announce that CASRA has won a public tender for Memmingen Airport in Germany. After having trained their screeners with XRT3 since 2018, the transition process to XRT4 will start in February 2021. Airport Memmingen will use XRT4 for initial and recurrent computer-based X-ray image interpretation training and testing with single-view and  dual-view images.

The web-based international cargo screening study with IATA (see page 43 [here]) has just been completed. Data gathered across multiple continents is currently being analyzed and the results will be available by the end of the month. Participants will now be able to obtain personal biometric study participation certificates and we are happy to be partnering with id3 Technologies (see website [here]) for this. If you would like to learn about the study results, please [contact us online].

Since 2012, we have been publishing newsletters in which we summarize CASRA’s research results and refer to trends in the security sector. The latest issue covers the TRESSPASS project, the Innovative Action aims to modernize checks at land, maritime, and air border crossings points, and reports about the experiences and everyday challenges with X-ray screening and training at Swiss Federal Customs Administration. If reading our newsletter is of interest to you, please subscribe our newsletter.

We are pleased to announce that the new X-Ray Tutor 4 (XRT4) received the official recognition by the German Federal Aviation Office, Luftfahrt Bundesamt (LBA), and the German Federal Police, Bundespolizei (BPOL), for the use as training software for aviation security screeners in the field of X-ray image analysis. XRT4 is available for different operation fields, such as cabin and hold baggage, cargo, air/airport supply screening and many more. Further information about XRT4 can be found here.

The web-based international cargo screening study with IATA has reached Phase 4, closing with the test-training-test phases in which the benefits of object recognition training are investigated (see page 43 [here]). Participants will now be given access to an extended computer-based training trial in X-Ray Tutor 4 (XRT4) and results are expected in early November.

CASRA would like to support you with information activities around the latest findings of scientific studies and their integration into everyday work in the security sector– from the comfort of your own home. For this purpose, we have decided to offer webinars.

To view what kind of webinars we offer and how you can register, follow this link.

Since 2012, we have been publishing newsletters in which we summarize CASRA’s research results and refer to trends in the security sector. Please find the latest issue here. In this issue we cover the results of the study conducted about the visual-cognitive abilities needed for visually inspecting 3D CT images of hold baggage and present our latest solution, the complete suite: XRT4.

If reading our newsletter is of interest to you, we would be happy to add you to our list of recipients here.

The updated Aviation Operations during COVID-19 – Business Restart and Recovery guidance by ACI (available here) and the guidance for ground handling during COVID-19 by IATA (available here) recommend assessing how distance learning can be used to address the added demands and constraints of the pandemic. We are happy to support aviation security stakeholders with online training and through trials – helping you determine how to derive the most value out of distance learning (info at casra.ch).

We are happy to announce that the international cargo screening study presented at the IATA Cargo Security & Facilitation Forum last year (see page 43 here) is about to (re)launch this July.

The IATA Guidance for ground handling during COVID-19 (see chapter 5.7 here) has recently emphasized the value of distance learning during the pandemic, and we believe that this study will provide valuable insights for all participating organizations as well as the global cargo screening domain.

We are pleased to announce that since January 2020, X-ray Tutor 4 (XRT4) is in operation at all 89 airports in Canada under the supervision of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). The project for the transition from XRT3 to XRT4 started in spring 2019 after a request for proposals process. XRT4 will be used by CATSA for initial and recurrent computer-based image interpretation training and testing for another three years, with the option of a five-year extension.

We are happy to announce the publication of our paper called Automation reliability, human–machine system performance, and operator compliance: A study with airport security screeners supported by automated explosives detection systems for cabin baggage screening in the journal of Applied Ergonomics. This study reveals human-machine system performance when using different automation systems and gives practical implications on how to deal with imperfect automation [Link].

We are very pleased to announce that our X-Ray Tutor 3 (XRT3) has received the Official Recognition by the German Federal Aviation Office, Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), for the use as training software for aviation security screeners in the field of X-ray image analysis.

XRT3 is available for different fields of operation, such as Cabin Baggage Screening (§ 5), Hold Baggage Screening (§ 5), Cargo Screening (§ 9), Air/Airport Supply (§ 8) and many more. Further information is available here.

The Horizon 2020 Project TRESSPASS has published a new deliverable which is now available on the TRESSPASS website: Public Deliverable D1.4 “Analysis of the legal and regulatory framework”, authored by CASRA with multiple partner contributions [PDF]. You can view all TRESSPASS Public Deliverables here [Link].

CASRA participated at the Australian Airports Association National Conference, November 19-22, which was held on the Gold Coast. The AAA is the national voice for Australian airports and represents the interests of over 360 airports and aerodromes across Australia. CASRA presented to existing customers its latest X-Ray Tutor 4 release, with a main focus on the 3D CT training capabilities.

CASRA participated at the IEEE International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology (ICCST), October 1-3, 2019. This conference is one of the longest running international technical symposia on security technology. CASRA presented a paper, which examined screener performance during 60 minutes of continuously reviewing X-ray images of cabin baggage with and without breaks. The results are important in light of the current EU regulation that restricts continuously reviewing X-ray images to 20 minutes. The paper is available as a preprint here.

Since 2012, we have been publishing newsletters in which we summarize CASRA’s research results and refer to research trends in the security sector. Please find the latest issue here. If it is of interest to you, we would be happy to add you to our list of recipients.

On September 09-11 2019, the 16th conference of the Swiss Psychological Society (SPS) will take place in Bern, Switzerland. The aim of the conference is to bring together psychologists from a variety of backgrounds to exchange their newest findings. CASRA members will present five different research studies on the topic of airport security.

CASRA will be participating in the IATA Cargo Security and Facilitation Forum 2019 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on October 30 in Session 8: “Evolution of Screening Technology and the Human Factor Archetype”. In a panel discussion, we will contribute with a presentation on applied research which explores human-machine interaction and how this interaction will continue to shape the screening technology landscape. For more information please find the agenda here. We would be happy to meet you there as well.

In June 2019, the X-Ray Tutor (XRT3) was implemented in Manila at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as well as at the Philippine Office for Transportation Security. Both cabin baggage and hold baggage screening modules were installed and now provide highly effective and efficient individually adaptive computer-based training to security officers in the Philippines.

In late June, CASRA participated in the IATA event “Air Transport Security – 2040 and beyond” at the EUROCONTROL headquarters in Brussels. The event consisted of plenary sessions and workshops for aviation security experts to exchange ideas and examine how air transport security will need to evolve over the next decades. IATA will consolidate the results of the workshops into a White Paper and publish it next September.

On May 14, 2019, CASRA participated in a meeting of The European Organisation for Security (EOS) to present an update on our research: The 14th ACBS Joint Operational Working Group Meeting provided a constructive platform for exchanging information on current issues, developments, and trends in advanced cabin baggage screening – mainly from the perspective of airports and manufacturers, but also regulators and researchers.

We are proud to announce that we have been awarded a contract by the regional governments of Münster and Düsseldorf. The contract resulted from a competitive procurement process for computer-based training. Four airports in Nordrhein-Westfalen will be training with our X-Ray Tutor, which is officially certified by the Federal Police of Germany. We are looking forward to a successful cooperation.

We are happy to announce our contribution to current research with a scientific paper called Expertise, Automation and Trust in X-Ray Screening of Cabin Baggage. It was recently published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology. This article focuses on how experts and novices performed in an X-ray baggage-screening task while being assisted by an adaptable diagnostic aid. Furthermore, it examined how both groups operated and trusted this automated system. For further information click here.

Three members of CASRA attended the 65th Spring Congress of the Gesellschaft für Arbeitswissenschaften (GfA) in Dresden, Germany and presented their research studies. The first presentation of CASRA had the title Airport security X-ray screening of hold baggage: 2D versus 3D imaging and evaluation of an on-screen alarm resolution protocol [Link]. The second presentation had the title X-ray screening of hold baggage: Are the same visual-cognitive abilities needed for 2D and 3D imaging? [Link]. The third presentation was named Examining Threat Image Projection Artifacts and Related Issues: A Rating Study [Link]

The results of the pilot study conducted by CASRA in cooperation with Member States of the ICAO Cooperative Aviation Security Program – Asia Pacific Region (CASP-AP) have been analyzed. They confirmed again that training with XRT3 significantly improves screeners’ detection performance (as measured with the X-Ray CAT) compared to no training and that this improvement already occurs after less than ten hours of training.

A study was recently published on detection measures for X-ray image inspection of cabin baggage conducted with 124 airport security officers (screeners). The detection performance measures d’, A’ and d_a with a slope parameter of 0.5 was compared and the outcome provided recommendations for scientific studies to ensure maximum validity of results. The paper was published in the prestigious journal Attention, Perception and Psychophysics and can be downloaded here.

CASRA is currently conducting a pilot study in cooperation with Member States of the ICAO Cooperative Aviation Security Program – Asia Pacific Region (CASP-AP). Participants from eight different countries are evaluating the benefit of the web-based CASRA Solution as a capacity-building tool regarding personnel selection, X-ray image recognition training, as well as competency assessment.

On December 12-13 2018, the EU-China Aviation Partnership Project (APP) held a workshop in Beijing on aviation security, focusing on the international standards implementation perspectives and introducing new technologies. During this workshop, CASRA had the opportunity to provide more information on the different training requirements for aviation security staff and to present different solutions, how those requirements can be met. For more information click here.

The Horizon 2020 project we are participating in since June this year – TRESSPASS – is now online. Please go to https://www.tresspass.eu/ to get information about the risk based border control concept and find a newsletter subscription link.

At the 2018 AVSEC World Day on October 1st 2018 in Athens, CASRA is invited to join a panel that discusses challenges of human factor in aviation security when introducing new technologies in screening processes. For further details on the program see here.

We are very pleased to announce that Geneva Airport has renewed its CASRA Solution licenses for another three years for use in its training and testing processes.

We at CASRA are very happy and proud to announce that we were awarded a contract by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) resulting from a competitive procurement process in which we will be providing our brand new computer-based training and testing solution X-Ray Tutor 4 (XRT4) to all 89 Canadian designated airports. We are very much looking forward to a decade of fruitful cooperation with CATSA.

We are pleased to communicate the approval of the latest CASRA project “STA2RT” (Systematic Threat Assessment, New Standards, Learning Technology Research – Transfer into Practice). Besides the continuation and extension of the Systematic Threat Assessment, the project aims to investigate relevant questions in connection with the change to the latest technology – EDSCB C3 standard – in cabin baggage screening. Further the project will examine new learning technologies, for example virtual reality, whether they deliver added value to the screening in practice.

We are happy to announce our contribution to current research on automation in X-ray screening. A paper called “Automation in airport security X-ray screening of cabin baggage: Examining benefits and possible implementations of automated explosives detection” was published recently in the journal Applied Ergonomics. In this investigation, we examined the effect of automation aids on detecting explosives in passenger bags. For further information click here.

Starting in June 2018, CASRA will participate in a new project under Horizon 2020 called TRESSPASS: The robusT Risk basEd Screening and alert System for PASSengers. TRESSPASS aims to develop a harmonized concept for risk-based border management in Europe, and to show its validity by using pilots and methods like red teaming and computer simulations.

We are very pleased to announce that CASRA joined the IATA Strategic Partnership Program to build new relationships as well as strengthen existing partnerships with key industry stakeholders.

The Berlin airports Tegel and Schönefeld renewed their licenses for the X-Ray Tutor in order to continue training their security officers with the CASRA Solution software. We are very happy to prolong the collaboration with Berlin airports!

At the 2018 Counter Terrorism Symposium in Miami on January 23-24 2018, CASRA was invited to present a sociotechnical approach – based on a systematic threat assessment – for the development of countermeasures by enhancing the human factor. An edited version of the presentation is available here.

We are very pleased to announce that our training software X-Ray Tutor 3 (XRT3) has received the Official Recognition by the Federal Police in Germany for the use as training software for aviation security assistants (§ 5 LuftSiG) in the field of X-ray image analysis. XRT3 is available for different fields of operation, such as Cabin Baggage Screening, Hold Baggage Screening, Cargo Screening (§ 9 LuftSiG), Air/Airport Supply (§ 8 LuftSiG) and many more. Further information is available here.

450 industry officials, researchers and practitioners from 35 countries attended the Security Research Event (SRE2017) in Tallinn from 14th to 15th November. CASRA was invited to hold a presentation about CASRA’s “Customs X-Ray Training Simulator” and also presented “ACXIS”, a European funded FP7 project together with Smiths Detection at a booth.

The 26th AVSEC World Conference was held in Abu Dhabi from November 14 to 16, 2017. CASRA was invited to present at Workshop 2 – Training and Accreditation – on the subject “Appropriately Assessing X-Ray Screening Competency: Challenges of Today and the Future”. The presentation is available here.

CASRA is currently conducting a study in cooperation with Carnival Maritime, the Marine Service Unit of the Costa Group. The objective of the study is to evaluate the CASRA Solution for use on board the COSTA CROCIERE fleet, specifically regarding suitability, effectiveness and process support for the areas of personnel selection, X-ray image recognition training, and competency assessment.

At the 15th Swiss Psychological Society (SPS) conference in Lausanne, Switzerland, on September 4/5 2017,  two members of CASRA presented research studies. The aim of the conference is to bring together psychologists from a variety of backgrounds to discuss major topics that are of interest to all. The first presentation was named “Comparing e-learning and blended learning for threat detection in X-ray images of passenger bags”. The second presentation had the topic “Simulation-based Sociotechnical Optimization of Airport Security Checkpoints”. 

End of July 2017, CASRA and 13 partner organizations across Europe successfully completed their work on the FP7 project XP-DITE, funded by the European Commission. The key results, concepts and tools were presented at the Final Event at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Netherlands, on May 30th 2017. For more information, please visit XP-DITE’s official homepage. There you can also download the official XP-DITE booklet, a comprehensive document summarizing the project scope and results. Upon interest, watch the official XP-DITE project video on Youtube.

We are happy to announce that two papers from CASRA have been submitted and accepted to the IEEE International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology (ICCST). One paper on the effectiveness of e-learning and blended learning for airport security officers and the other paper on the relevance of visual inspection strategy and knowledge about everyday objects for X-ray baggage screening. The 51st Annual ICCST conference will be held in Madrid, Spain, and is scheduled for 23-26 October 2017.

We are pleased to communicate the approval of the latest CASRA project “4CAST”. Technological change and ever evolving threat scenarios lead to new and adaptions of existing screening processes. When changing screening process the impact on effectiveness, efficiency, passenger satisfaction and screeners must be considered. In this project, a large amount of data from simulation models of checkpoints, from human factor models, together with meta data from screeners are aggregated in a secure data base and will be connected to a data analytics and visualization platform to support the decision-making process of stakeholders.

In May 2017 Joint Exploitation Event of EU projects was held in Paris. Six FP7 and Horizon 2020 research projects were presented, namely ACXIS, BODEGA, C-BORD, CORE, IMPRINT, and SOURCE, with cutting edge results for cargo scanning, border control and supply chain management domains. Project partners displayed their innovative tools and methods for end users from European customs administrations. CASRA, which was part of the ACXIS project, presented its Customs X-Ray Simulator, a platform for X-ray image interpretation training and testing. More information on CASRA’s new Customs X-Ray Simulator here.

The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) conducted the pilot of the Course for Interdicting Small Arms in Postal Shipments (ISAPS) in Costa Rica in close collaboration with CASRA. The course aims at improving the capacity of officials to identify weapons and parts/components in postal shipments by means of X-ray technology. For more information, please follow the link to UNLIREC’s website here.

CASRA proudly presents the new software solution for the customs area: The Customs X-Ray Simulator. The system is specifically designed for cargo X-ray screening officers and was developed by CASRA in close collaboration with customs organizations and end users. For more information please click here.

We are very pleased to announce that Brussels Airport Company has renewed its CASRA Solution licenses for use in its training and testing processes.

We are happy to inform you that Swedavia Airports implemented the newest CASRA Solution at Arlanda Airport in Stockholm for use in its training and testing processes for all aviation security employees. In the following months, Swedavia will continue introducing the latest version at other Swedish airports as well.

Two research studies were presented at the 63rd Spring Conference of the German Society for Work Science (www.gfa2017.de). The paper by Hättenschwiler et al. investigated the relevance of everyday object knowledge and different strategies for visual inspection of X-ray images of passenger bags [Link]. The paper by Wyssenbach et al. used a multi-method approach and discrete-event simulation for evaluating the operational feasibility of sociotechnical optimizations of airport security checkpoints using risk-based screening [Link].

As already announced in the news item of July 21, 2015, a study was conducted in order to investigate the detection performance of screeners with and without experience with 3D images, using both conventional 2D X-ray images and 3D rotatable X-ray images. Results showed a large transfer of competency from 2D X-ray image analysis to the analysis of rotatable 3D CT images even without training and without experience with 3D images. The analysis of the 3D images however took about four seconds longer, regardless of whether the screeners had previous 3D experience or not.

We are very happy to announce that Fraport Security Services GmbH (FraSec) has implemented the newest CASRA Solution for use in its training and testing processes for all aviation security employees.

CASRA attended the Information Day on Smart Security, a joint program between IATA and ACI. Smart Security aims to strengthen security, increase operational efficiency and improve passenger experience for cabin baggage screening by providing guidance on concepts and solutions. The newest developments and innovations regarding central image processing, checkpoint management systems and computer tomography for cabin baggage screening were presented and discussed.

On October 24-27 2016 CASRA attended the IEEE ICCST conference in Orlando, USA and presented a paper. The scientific publication by Visser et al. describes how customs inspection procedures of cargo shipments at land and sea borders may be improved. Automated target recognition (ATR) algorithms locate licit and illicit objects among transported goods. A database with over 35’000 sample was constructed to support both algorithms and officers in their analysis and detection. Specially developed computer-based training simulation software educates and evaluates officers in their ability to detect suspect goods in X-ray images. Link

CASRA will be participating in the Security Culture panel discussion at this year’s AVSEC World Conference in Kuala Lumpur on October 25-27. The panel will discuss best practices and solutions for creating strong security culture and its benefits. Find an edited version of the handout here.

We are happy to announce the start of the project RCBS – “Threat Image Projection for Remote Cabin Baggage Screening”. In this project current strengths and weaknesses of different RCBS systems are evaluated based on scientific methods and research studies will be conducted in order to determine possibilities for improvements.

CASRA participated in the 6th Seminar of European Customs Chemists which was held in Amsterdam from June 22 to 24. Customs Laboratories from all over Europe and worldwide attended to this event. CASRA held a presentation about “Improving the Detection Performance at Checkpoints through Assisted Detection and Training the Operators with Simulation Software” and presented the European funded FP7 project “ACXIS” together with Smiths Detection at a booth.

We are happy to inform you that the latest version of our CASRA Solution (Release 3.8.1) was recently released and successfully rolled out to all our Hosted Solution and some Local Solution customers. The new version includes new images as well as new software features, such as the screener statistic now available on the XRT welcome screen, opti-zoom functionality and enhanced reporting functions in training.
A further innovation is the new TIP Datatool, which can be used together with our CASRA FTI TIP Libraries. For more information please visit TIP Datatool or contact info at casra.ch.

Together with more than 10 Swedish airports, CASRA participated at the SENSEC Days in Stockholm. There were many interesting discussions on the latest threats to aviation security and more importantly, on the most advanced technology and solutions to prevent future terrorist attacks, all still in consideration of economic efficiency. CASRA contributed with a presentation and demonstration on up-to-date solutions to scientifically select and test the security personnel, a key factor in the overall system of checkpoint security.

Since the beginning of February 2016, SNP Security in Australia, a company soon celebrating its centennial anniversary, is using the latest CASRA Solution for training and testing of their X-Ray Security Screeners.

CASRA was invited to give a presentation about its multi-year project “Systematic Threat Assessment” at the International Forum for Security Screening in Aviation (IFSSA), which took place from May 2 to 4 in Geneva, Switzerland and was hosted by the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA). IFSSA is organized by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) and participation is by invitation only. The forum aims at bringing together top executives of aviation security organizations from around the world to share ideas and focus on aviation security screening best practices.

We are very pleased to announce that the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority has implemented the newest CASRA Solution for use in its certification processes for aviation security employees.

The Canadian Air & Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is one of the leading authorities in airport security. Our collaboration with them goes back to 2004, when they started using X-Ray Tutor. On February 1st, 2016, we successfully updated to X-Ray Tutor 3.7. This brings a modern UI, enhanced features and improved performance to their users at 81 airports across Canada. A thorough quality assurance and testing process ensured successful deployment of the software across their infrastructure.

We are very pleased to announce that the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency has implemented the newest CASRA Solution for use in its certification processes for aviation security employees. 

CASRA will take an active part in the AVSEC refresher courses organized by 2assistU GmbH by contributing with a theory session about Systematic Threat Assessment (STA) on several dates in 2016. This training course is recognized as AVSEC refresher course, as required by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA). 

Since January 2016, Budapest Airport is using CASRA Solution for initial and recurrent X-ray image interpretation training.