ISS solution selected for Transit Tech Lab pilot to help streamline undercarriage inspections at high-security site
New York City’s vast public transportation network is the lifeblood of the region, serving millions of residents and visitors daily. To maintain and improve the daily commutes of riders across the system, a steady stream of innovation is required. The Transit Tech Lab, a public-private partnership created by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Partnership Fund for New York City, was established to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies across the city’s transit systems. This initiative seeks to solve pressing challenges related to resilience, customer experience, and security.
For its highly competitive program, the Transit Tech Lab received 150 applications from companies around the globe. Only 18 were chosen as finalists to proceed to an eight-week proof-of-concept phase. Among this select group was Intelligent Security Systems (ISS), which was tasked with demonstrating how its technology could enhance security operations for key transit agencies, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The Challenge: Modernizing Outdated Vehicle Screening Processes
Charged with protecting the city’s vital transportation hubs, the Port Authority was seeking a solution that could help them automate the vehicle screening process at one of the sites under their purview. Traditional methods of under-vehicle inspection — often involving manual checks with pole-mounted mirrors or bomb-sniffing canine units — can be slow, labor-intensive, and subject to human error or fatigue. These methods can also lead to bottlenecks, increased operational costs, and may not always provide the consistent, high-level scrutiny required.
The Port Authority needed a solution that could not only detect potential threats with greater accuracy but also streamline the entire screening process, reducing congestion and improving operational efficiency without compromising safety. The goal was to find a technology that could provide fast, reliable, and detailed inspections while integrating into the existing security framework.
“Being selected for the Transit Tech Lab initiative is a tremendous honor and a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence,” said ISS CEO Aluisio Figueiredo. “This opportunity allowed us to demonstrate how our groundbreaking video intelligence solutions can address the unique vehicle screening challenges faced by high-security sites, enhancing both security and operational efficiency.”
The Solution: Advanced Undercarriage Inspection with SecurOS® UVSS
To address these challenges, ISS proposed its SecurOS® UVSS (Under Vehicle Surveillance System) solution. For over two decades, ISS has been a leader in video intelligence and data awareness, holding over 30 patents and trademarks. With a global presence and a robust R&D team of over 200 engineers, ISS develops next-generation video analytics that solve complex security problems.
The SecurOS® UVSS is a complete, enterprise-level solution for the automated visual inspection of vehicle undercarriages. It is designed to screen for explosives, illegal contraband, dangerous objects, and structural anomalies. The system consists of a rugged, IP68-rated scanning platform deployed on the roadway along with a powerful processing controller.
How it works
As a vehicle drives over the platform, a high-resolution, area-scan machine vision camera captures detailed images of its undercarriage. The system can effectively scan vehicles moving at speeds up to 22 mph and even handles complete stops, ensuring image quality is never compromised. Patented de-warping technology corrects distortion and stitches together a complete, high-definition composite image in as little as three seconds, while the UVSS’ foreign object detection system automatically flags anomalies in the undercarriage that could pose a security risk. This image is then displayed for the operator on a user-friendly interface, alongside data from other native systems, including license plate recognition (LPR) software and optional driver-facing cameras.
This automated process offers significant advantages over manual inspections:
- Speed and Efficiency: A scan takes mere seconds, drastically reducing vehicle processing times and preventing congestion at checkpoints.
- Accuracy and Detail: The high-resolution camera captures clear images, allowing operators to spot anomalies that might be missed by the naked eye or a mirror. The system’s 3D-magnifier view enables detailed examination of suspicious areas, while foreign object detection highlights potential threats automatically.
- Consistency: The UVSS solution provides reliable, 24/7 performance, unaffected by human factors like fatigue or distraction.
- Data Integration: Each undercarriage image along with the respective vehicle’s color, class, make and, model is saved and linked with license plate data, time of entry, and even the driver’s face (with optional cameras). This creates a comprehensive, searchable audit trail for forensic investigations and compliance.
- Simplified Installation: The UVSS does not require heavy construction to deploy and is available in several different models. An optional UVSS cleaning system that uses a dual air-fluid cleaning process to remove things like dirt, snow or ice ensures that system remains in optimal working condition, even in dusty or debris-prone environments.
The Results: A Successful Pilot for the Port Authority
Beginning in May 2024 as part of the Transit Tech Lab’s proof-of-concept phase, the SecurOS® UVSS was used to scan the undercarriages of over 2,000 vehicles over a three-week period at the aforementioned site. The primary goal was to demonstrate how the technology could improve the existing screening process for vehicles entering the location.
The results were immediate and impactful. The UVSS was integrated with the Port Authority’s security databases, helping to increase efficiencies in standard vehicle screening processes. The system provided real-time data on vehicle types, traffic flow, and average checkpoint passage times, giving the Port Authority valuable insights into its operations. Additionally, the UVSS cleaning system ensured the unit provided clear and accurate images regardless of the operating conditions.
A senior engineer for major capital projects with the Port Authority noted the value of the pilot, stating, “ISS’ technology complemented our vehicle security screening operation, and the real-time data helped improve the visibility of several unknown everyday processing details that are super useful and present an efficiency opportunity.”
The success of the initial trial led to ISS being selected to advance to the large-scale pilot phase of the initiative, further cementing the value of its technology.
A Global Standard for Under-Vehicle Inspection
The application at the Port Authority site is one of many high-profile deployments for the SecurOS® UVSS. The system is trusted by governments, military organizations, and corporate enterprises around the world to protect critical infrastructure, airports, border crossings, state institutions, and public venues, like stadiums and arenas. Its proven reliability and advanced capabilities have made it a global standard for under-vehicle inspections.
By automating the inspection process, the Port Authority was able to achieve a significantly higher level of threat detection and dramatically improve the overall efficiency of its checkpoints. The rich data provided by the UVSS has also proven instrumental in informing the Port Authority on the types of operational improvements that are needed to ensure a robust vehicle screening process at its secure facilities moving forward.
“The challenge of securing a facility of this magnitude requires technology that is not only powerful but also intelligent and adaptable,” added Figueiredo. “The SecurOS® UVSS provides a scalable, integrated solution that transforms vehicle inspection from a manual chore into a streamlined, data-driven process, setting a new standard for modern security operations.”
