Dubai to offer parallel screening techniques for e-Gate users unable to use fingerprint scan

Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), which operates e-Gate, the hi-tech card-operated access system at the Dubai International Airport, is exploring further secure screening procedures for the benefit of those travelers who are unable to utilize the fingerprint scan due to disabilities or fingerprint defects.

One of the alternate technologies being considered is the Iris identification system in which the Iris of the user is screened using a special camera. If adopted, this system will be offered as the alternative to those who cannot fulfill the fingerprint scan requirement.

"A team of 15 IT experts has been assigned the task of finding further opportunities to the fingerprint scan," said Colonel Saeed bin Belailah, Director of DNRD. "The cornea identification may well be an effective option once all aspects are studied. We will find the correct solution shortly to make e-Gate accessible to all."

"Being a customer-centric organization, DNRD is constantly looking for ways to improve its services and remove restrictions to users," said Colonel bin Belailah. "Even though e-Gate is working smoothly under the current system of using the e-Card along with a fingerprint scan, we would like to extend its use to a greater cross-section of the public, including those with  physical handicaps or children under the age of 17-years old whose fingerprints are still changing and cannot be used for identification purposes."

"We also want to enable families to use e-Gate instead of sending the children to the manual gate, and we can do this by offering a parallel  system," added Colonel bin Belailah. "Our unvarying focus is on a fail-safe security system and user-satisfaction, and we will continue to explore all methods of adding value to the e-Gate project to make it more user-friendly."

e-Gate, commissioned in mid-2002, has proved to be highly popular with frequent travelers because of its quick and instant access to Dubai International Airport, without the need to stand in queues to have a passport stamped. Users can enter or exit the airport by just swiping the card and undergoing a fingerprint scan.

"More than 11,000 people belonging to 45 nationalities are currently using e-Gate regularly," said Colonel bin Belailah. "This indicates its utility value. In five months, this innovative facility has surpassed expectations. New users  continue to register at the two registration points at the Dubai International Airport and DNATA."

Colonel bin Belailah said the success of e-Gate has attracted the attention of several other countries, including China, Hong Kong, Britain and the Netherlands, who have expressed interest in upgrading their security systems using the e-Gate technology that was developed by the inhouse IT team of DNRD.

"Several multinationals too have lauded e-Gate as a successful project," he added. "They have asked DNRD to contribute to a similar system for them as well as use its expertise. We are delighted that the system developed by our in-house team of UAE nationals should receive such accolades from major international corporations."

e-Gate can be used by UAE residents, after completing the registration procedures at any of the two registration points. Dubai International Airport is the third airport in the world to install electronic screening for passengers.