Testing & Events

2010 Field Tests

In fall 2010, commercial technology products will be integrated and tested in the second-generation integrated countermeasure architecture. The tests will be carried out in laboratory and field settings, including with crowds arriving for a hockey game at the Standoff Detection Test Bed in Kennewick, Washington.

2008 Field Test

It is important to test the most promising technologies, system integration and operational approaches in a realistic environment. One such environment is the Standoff Detection Test Bed user facility at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, Washington. This 6,000-seat multipurpose venue holds events year round.

The first-generation countermeasure architecture used a variety of sensors, technologies, and operations to detect concealed objects on people. It was tested with crowds arriving for a series of hockey games in 2008.
To help find concealed explosives, people were screened by infrared and surveillance cameras as they walked through screening zones

Video analytics helped operators identify potential concerns such as loitering and leave-behind bags.

The first field test was held in 2008. An initial countermeasure system was tested with crowds arriving for five hockey games. The field test used infrared cameras and a millimeter-wave system to detect concealed objects. Video analytics systems tracked people to detect unusual behavior, such as loitering or leaving objects unattended. Sensor data were fed into a multi-image visual display that law enforcement operators evaluated constantly. When operators identified a potential threat, they transmitted the information to officers in the field for interdiction and follow-up.

Test results revealed valuable insights about crowd dynamics, integrated countermeasure performance, technology and operational requirements, data management and analysis, and operational approaches. Based on the results, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security formed a concept for the next-generation countermeasure architecture and an initial set of requirements to achieve it.

Upcoming Testing and Demonstrations

It will be important to adapt, develop, and integrate the enabling technology modules via baseline integration software. Future testing will include integration of the first-line system with the baseline integration software and a geo-tracking module. Subsequent tests will integrate first line, baseline integration software, and geo-tracking with a threat/asset management module, which will then be used to direct sensors to persons of interest. Crowd characteristics also will be assessed, such as pathways taken, arrival times, and numbers of people walking in groups. Geo-tracking software may be used to facilitate this information.

The Department of Homeland Security's Standoff Detection Test Bed at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, Washington, serves as a key user facility for government and industry to evaluate stand-alone and integrated technologies that support The Department's countermeasure development mission.

Standoff Detection Conferences and Workshops

Conferences and other events that may be of interest to the standoff detection community are listed here.