False alarms at European airports have prompted the European Union to award Technion University a $4.7 million grant to research how to improve security for travelers. The Behavior Model for Security in Airports (BEMOSA) project will contribute significantly to the overall European objective of eliminating hazards of hostile action in the air transport system, the European Union said.
The grant is aimed at developing both a dynamic and realistic model for behavior and decision-making during security threats in airports.
Professor Avi Kirschenbaum, a member of the Technion directorate, said that although security measures focus on technology, the researchers will concentrate on human resources.
“It already has been discovered in 250 observation studies that improper preparation has caused dozens of false alarms, causing unnecessary panic and a waste of manpower and time," he said.
By examining airports throughout Europe and focusing on key decision-making groups such as control tower operators, security employees, service vendors and passengers, BEMOSA will create a basis for a comprehensive and practical training program that considers all airport security factors.
The EU noted that clear and practical procedures are required because “there is no time to seek advice and read procedural instructions” during critical moments of an emergency. “In order to prevent tragedies and deal with them better, we have to ensure that all of the airport terms, and not just those involved in security, are prepared,” the EU added.
The three-year grant’s’ objective is to advance the of state-of-the art research and lead to increased efficiency of air transportation by decreasing false alarms, increased safety through training and increased coordination at airports.