Smiths explosive detection and chemical identifier deployed in New York transit system

Sabre 4000 and HazMatID systems purchased by New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)

SMITHS Detection, part of the global engineering business Smiths Group, today announced the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has purchased its explosive detection and chemical identification equipment for deployment in and around the MTA commuter rail system.

The MTA Police will begin using the Smiths Detection Sabre 4000 explosive trace detection system for the random screening of passengers and passenger belongings non-intrusively. The MTA Emergency Services Unit will initiate the use of the HazMatID for response to suspicious materials found in the transit system.

The Sabre 4000 is a lightweight, hand-held detection system with the capability of quickly detecting and identifying explosives, chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. The HazMatID is a portable chemical identifier used to distinguish between thousands of different materials, including white powders, weapons of mass destruction, toxic industrial chemicals, household chemicals and explosives.

The purchase of the units came as a result of testing the equipment over a five-month trial period.

Their portability, versatility and sensitivity make the Sabre 4000 and the HazMatID excellent tools to help the MTA secure their rail transit system and its access points, said Mark Laustra, Vice President of Transportation Security Technology & Programs at Smiths Detection.

We are pleased to expand our relationship with the MTA and applaud their willingness to utilize state-of-the art technology to help keep their passengers safe.

Sabre 4000

The Sabre 4000 is a lightweight, hand-held detection system with the capability of quickly detecting and identifying explosives, chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. This unique system can analyze both particle and vapour samples. Particle samples are collected by wiping suspect surfaces with a swab and then inserting the swab into the Sabre 4000 for examination with results returned in under 15 seconds. When analyzing in vapour mode, the samples are collected via an inlet nozzle. This sampling method provides a real-time response to the substances being analyzed.

Download Sabre 4000 fact sheet

HazMatID

The HazMatID is a portable chemical identifier used to distinguish between thousands of different materials, including white powders, weapons of mass destruction, toxic industrial chemicals, household chemicals and explosives. With no sample preparation required, the system operates simply by placing a drop or a few grains of an unknown substance on a small diamond sensor. The touch screen program walks the responder through the complete analysis in seconds.

Download HazMatID fact sheet 

ENDS