Drive-through Screening System Provides Rapid Detection of Explosives, Drugs and Stowaways

  • May 14, 2009

Spectrum San Diego introduced yesterday the CarSCAN™, an ultra-low-dose dual-energy X-ray imaging system providing rapid detection of explosives, contraband and stowaways in cars and light trucks. CarSCAN significantly increases detection capabilities at military checkpoints and other high-security locations. Concealed threats are quickly identified in vehicles traveling at normal checkpoint speeds, reducing wait times at border crossings and other high-volume inspection points.

The company will be demonstrating CarSCAN for the first time at the 2009 Force Protection Equipment Demonstration VII (FPED VII) from May 19-21, 2009 at the Stafford County Regional Airport, Stafford, Virginia.

CarSCAN’s patent pending technology provides actionable information to security personnel at border crossings, military bases, embassies, ports and other critical government and private facilities. The vehicle being inspected drives through the CarSCAN archway and the scanned image is displayed on the security officer’s monitor, much the same as an airport baggage scanner. Unlike previous generation vehicle scanners, dual-energy transmission imaging penetrates through the entire vehicle, greatly minimizing blind spots and highlighting potential threats in easily understandable color-coded images.

"CarSCAN is a breakthrough in vehicle screening technology, offering a valuable new security tool to the government, law enforcement and military," said Dr. Steven W. Smith, president and technical director of Spectrum San Diego. "Passengers remain safely inside the vehicle, allowing a thorough inspection with the highest throughput. We are pleased to demonstrate CarSCAN for the first time to FPED attendees."

CarSCAN meets national safety standards for the X-ray screening of vehicles containing passengers. Its small footprint allows the CarSCAN archway to be installed into an existing traffic lane. Minimal manpower and time are required for installation and operational training. Since only a few hours are necessary to set up and dismantle the system, short notice needs and unanticipated security requirements can easily be accommodated. No trenching or build-out of the installation area is necessary. CarSCAN can be operated at an unlimited distance from security personnel to provide standoff blast protection.

Featured

  • Security Today Announces 2025 CyberSecured Award Winners

    Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 CyberSecured Awards winners. Sixteen companies are being recognized this year for their network products and other cybersecurity initiatives that secure our world today. Read Now

  • Empowering and Securing a Mobile Workforce

    What happens when technology lets you work anywhere – but exposes you to security threats everywhere? This is the reality of modern work. No longer tethered to desks, work happens everywhere – in the office, from home, on the road, and in countless locations in between. Read Now

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.