U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has begun testing facial biometrics for travelers entering the United States in select vehicle lanes at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry between Fort Erie, Canada, and Buffalo, N.Y.
Simplified Arrival-Vehicle Biometric uses facial biometrics to automate manual document checks while creating minimal traffic flow impact. No action is required by the traveler. A camera takes a photo of a vehicle’s occupants and matches the photos of those already in government databases.
“CBP is excited to continue testing a range of facial biometric technologies and configurations in the vehicle lanes at the land borders to further innovate the entry process,” Diane J. Sabatino, CBP acting executive assistant commissioner of field operations, said. “To support our land border mission, we are challenging industry to design the optimal solution for our most demanding environment as we further secure and streamline travel.”
The test will run until March and will be deployed at inbound lanes 14, 15, and 16. The lanes will be clearly marked as “Biometric.” In the other lanes, travelers will need manual document checks to verify identity.
CBP will evaluate the system’s ability to capture quality facial images and the efficacy of the biometric matching.