Intermodal transport network is a critical infrastructure in today’s economy. Security of the Supply Chain shall be improved and achieved through tracing and tracking techniques to guarantee a controlled delivery of goods to the final distributor for the benefit of the citizen. The increased international awareness on security issues calls for improving, evaluating and making available best tracing technologies in order to reduce risks.
The Action CI-SUPPLY CHAIN develops and tests technologies related to iden- tification, sealing, tracing and tracking for security oriented purposes, of com- mercial goods, transport and storage of hazardous materials and to reduce risks and increase the security of the citizens.
Main objectives of the Action consist in the development and test of Radio Fre- quency Identification (RFID) active and passive smart seals, remote monitoring systems, controlled and secure systems for loading of goods that are crucial equipment used to reduce and prevent diversion. Moreover, the Action car- ries out tests and vulnerability assessments, essential to qualify the in house developed systems to a common European standard enabling effective tracing throughout Europe and worldwide.
The same technologies have also been developed to further increase the security and quality of life of the citizen, in particular the disable and blind people. These projects reached a state of maturation now allowing technology transfer.
Major 2009 achievements
Live demonstration of electronic seals to Italian Customs Agency
In the framework of a collaboration agreement with the Italian Customs Agency, a live demo of RFID sealing systems patented by the JRC-IPSC was carried out in Livorno harbour and Prato hub (Italy) in July 2009. Tests aimed at showing the effectiveness of RFID technology in improving the supply chain security. The seals and the related information management systems shown to Italian Customs and seaport/hub authorities worked properly during the live tests (Fig- ure 1). Additionally, vulnerability tests have been performed with X-ray container scanning to verify the integrity of RFID seal electronics after ordinary Customs checks. All the RFID material successfully passed the vulnerability tests. Smart loading system for a secure Supply Chain
A prototype of RFID system for the secure container loading was developed and shown to representatives of the Italian Inland Transport Consortium. The goal of the system is to minimise errors and diversions in loading goods in containers. Different types of RFID tags are used to identify goods (classified according to their nature, e.g. chemicals, explosives, etc.), pallets, forklifts, and operators. The idea is that gates open the restricted secure area upon consensus when the forklift approaches (RFID identity checks on operator and forklift) and that barriers open the access to container only if the expected load is approaching (checks on pallet and goods) (Figure 2). The risk of errors in loading goods on containers is then minimised.
Non intrusive detection of hidden people inside container
The unauthorized entrance in Europe of persons from developing countries is an everyday phenomenon. Very often, people are being transported in containers or trucks used for goods, food or liquid. Since millions of containers are used in the
Contact François Littmann Tel. +39 0332 786230 e-mail: [email protected] website: http://ipsc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ showaction.php?id=31
CI-SUPPLY CHAIN
Fig. 1: container sealed with JRC RFID seals leaving the Livorno harbour (Italy)
Fig. 2: general scheme of the smart loading system: goods to be loaded are tagged and related information (type of material, destination, etc.) is inserted in a database through a laptop. RFID readers are placed along the path to the container and barrier open only upon authorization.
supply chain, full screening is up to now impossible as, currently, the only way to detect people is the opening of the containers (which are sealed throughout their journey) or high power X-ray scanning.
The JRC-IPSC developed and patented an innovative electrostatic sensor able to detect even very small static charges produced by people moving behind walls. Tests carried out on a container electrically isolated with rubber from the soil (which simulates a container on a truck) showed that it is possible to detect the presence of people through the electrostatic charges produced by the movement of the thoracic cavity due to breathing or even simply by the heartbeat. Technology transfer of SESAMONET
SESAMONET (Safe and Secure Mobility Network) is a system patented by the JRC- IPSC to assist visually impaired people. The system is based on the use of pas- sive RFID tags as electronic landmarks to form a virtual path; these landmarks, detected and decoded by the system, are transformed into audible information for the user. In 2009 the licence for using SESAMONET was released to the Ital- ian Blind Peoples Association (UIC – Unione Italiana Ciechi).
Challenges for 2010 and beyond
The security of the supply chain will remain a hot topic also for the next years. Therefore, the Action will continue to provide technical support to European Customs agencies through:
• Tests of electronic & mechanical sealing, tracing & tracking systems inter- nally developed or proposed for tests by the agencies including compat- ibility, reliability and vulnerability assessment.
• Critical analysis & review of supply chain standards related to electronic and mechanical seals and development of associated test procedures. The challenge is to arrive in a few years to the definition of a European electronic seal as standard seal authorised for use and recognised by the countries having the largest exporting / importing volumes (e.g. US, China, etc), as well as the compatibility with the European Digital Tachograph.
Moreover, the Action will extend the prototype of an active RFID based secure loading system for container-truck, simulating the full Supply Chain implementa- tion, including reading & authentication of driver & vehicle, verification of goods with respect to planned bill of lading, selection of appropriate container, registra- tion of associated container seals, management of information database.
GLOSSARY
RFID Radio Frequency Identification SESAMONET Secure and Safe Mobil- ity Network