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GE Developing Bomb-Sensing Ticket Machine

By John Christoffersen
AP
10/02/05 5:00 AM PT

GE's machine would use technology that can identify explosive residue from a finger-touch as a commuter buys a ticket at a vending machine. If explosives are detected, the machine would sound an alarm, send a digital photo of the buyer to authorities and invalidate the ticket.


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General Electric (NYSE: GE) Latest News about General Electric is responding to recent terrorist attacks on European rail lines by developing a machine that would scan for explosives at train or bus stations while collecting a passenger's fare.

The Fairfield, Conn.-based conglomerate announced a joint development agreement this week with Cubic Corp., a San Diego-based company which makes automatic fare collection systems for parking lots and mass transit stations. The companies showed the concept at an international public transit expo this week in Dallas.
Detecting Explosives

GE's machine would use technology that can identify explosive residue from a finger-touch as a commuter buys a ticket at a vending machine. If explosives are detected, the machine would sound an alarm, send a digital photo of the buyer to authorities and invalidate the ticket, GE officials said.

Train bombings in Madrid and London killed hundreds of commuters over the last two years, underscoring the vulnerability of mass transit systems to terrorism. The Homeland Security Department has looked at high-tech ways to improve transit security Security, strength, a lower TCO: find out about all the advantages of IBM Middleware on Linux., but security officers and bomb-sniffing dogs remain the primary ways to combat terrorists.

It's unclear when the technology could be implemented. GE officials said the review process typically takes one to three years. They are talking to transit officials as well as the Department of Homeland Security.

Security experts said that to be practical, the device will have to be fast, accurate, affordable and protect the privacy Latest News about privacy of those using it.
High Standards

James Carafano, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, said that, so far, he has not seen technology that could meet those standards.

"The notion that we're going to childproof America, protect everybody from everything, is just stupid," Carafano said.

GE has been stepping up its security business in recent years and was involved in a pilot test at a suburban Maryland train stop last year of a machine that sniffs the air for traces of explosives.

Last year, GE acquired InVision Technologies, which makes devices to detect explosives as well as other security systems, for about US$900 million.