Design and implementation of three-month intensive cargo inspection test at ARPA's nonintrusive inspection technology testbed

摘要

Abstract: The high energy x-ray cargo inspection system which was installed at ARPA's Nonintrusive Inspection Technology Testbed in the Port of Tacoma, Washington is a direct descendant of the rocket container x-ray inspection system installed at Votkinsk, Russia. The Votkinsk system was developed to support on-site verification measures included in the arms control agreement with the Soviet Union regarding Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces - the INF Treaty. ASEC, through its support to the US Air Force at Sandia National Laboratory, was involved in the development and test of that system. Subsequently, ASEC has transferred the technology to law enforcement applications through x-ray system design and integration in a facility at Houston, Texas. The results of demonstrations at Houston resulted in the design and construction of the ARPA-sponsored testbed in the Port of Tacoma and the integration of the systems located there. This paper describes the system at Tacoma in the context of the planning for, and execution of, a three month long, intensive test which resulted in the inspection of some 2676 cargoes. Additionally, the test protocol, preparations for the test, problems encountered, and lessons learned are presented. !5