The ACE Checkzone

How not  to shoot Italian journalists

Following the checkpoint disaster in March of 2005 resulting in the death of an Italian Intelligence Officer and the wounding of an Italian journalist, the issue of Military Checkpoints came into the spotlight. We continued our explorations on the Checkpoint episode we had defined earlier to completely re-imagine the operation of a checkpoint given the context of our analysis. It's important to note that using this as the basis of exploration is not about asking how sensors could be employed in checkpoints, but rather asking how the idea of a checkpoint can be re-imagined as a concept. This allows for the natural integration of sensor and other emerging technology to come to the forefront when coupled with an understanding of complicating factors and practical challenges faced by soldiers in the environment.

 
The vehicle which carried Italian Intelligence Officer Nicola Calipari and Journalist Guiliana Sgrena.

The ACE Checkzone

The notion of an "ACE" (Analysis, Confrontation, Enforcement) checkzone represents an exploration of the military checkzone and how it might be re-imagined. The tenets of this hypothesization are driven by the results of our cognitive task analysis of Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT).

The ACE checkzone is divided into three distinct areas. Each zone serves to collect information about the traffic as it approaches a sensitive area and assess whether or not additional thorough searching is necessary. The need for this is underscored by current risks and Checkpoint (CP) logistics, including the fact that most vehicles should be allowed to pass through the checkpoint, and in many areas there is significant risk of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) which threaten not only the security of the area beyond the CP, but the personnel and infrastructure of the CP itself.

 
Military checkpoint.





The Analysis Zone

The first area vehciles come to is the Analysis Zone. It is defined by a set of small, somewhat hidden sensor elements located off the road. These sensors are controlled by soldiers and operate remotely to evaluate the approximate size, body style, and weight of vehicles as they approach. The soldiers who control these sensors are hidden from view, operating downstream from oncoming traffic near zones 2 and 3. Vehicles entering this stage do not stop and are slowed as they approach the signage that begins Zone 2. This zone uses computer algorithms to analyze the weight of oncoming traffic and compare it to expected values and ranges of similar vehicles. This information is passed on to Zones 2 and 3 for further interpretation.

To more fully understand the implications of this structure, there's a short narrative and two video clips to illustrate how the logistics could play out.






The Confrontation Zone

After passing through the Analysis Zone, all vehicles enter Zone 2: the Confrontation Zone. Drivers are instructed via road signs and concrete or other barricades to slow down. This multi-lane (depending on traffic concerns for the road) controlled area is similar to current military TCPs in that it requires each vehicle to stop. Barricades are in place to prevent each vehicle from proceeding. Again, soldiers are located in overwatch positions flanking the kiosk. While vehicles are stopped, drivers are instructed to speak into a microphone and converse with soldiers. Their voice and image are recorded and stored in the database, along with any identifying information as gathered. While this is going on, embedded in the kiosk structure are cameras which take pictures of the vehicle and its license plate. Chemical readouts are obtained from the vehicles indicating the presence of known explosives and materials. Also, microphones record the sounds of the engine idling. These data are compared to known database entries which can indicate it certain vehicles have been previously identified at this or other checkpoints. Depending on this further analysis, each vehicle is either allowed to continue on its way, or is directed to enter Zone 3.

A narrative and video explaining the function and context of the Confrontation Zone is available here.






The Enforcement Zone

The 3rd zone is the Enforcement Zone. Most vehicles will bypass this zone completely. However, those vehicles which have been flagged in either of the first two zones will, at the discretion of the soldiers working at the Confrontation Zone, be sent to the Enforcement Zone before being allowed to continue, if they are at all. The Enforcement Zone also contains a kiosk, and space for a few vehicles to be stopped and inspected. When vehicles enter this zone, they are continuously under surveillance by soldiers flanking the road in protected areas. Armored vehicles with weapons trained are visible near the roadside to deter uncooperative activity. Also, cellular telephone reception is blocked with the use of jammers, as this is a popular means for detonating IEDs and other explosives. Once stopped, drivers and passengers are asked to get out of the vehicle. Only then are they approached by uniformed soldiers who question and search them, as well as search the vehicle. At this point, vehicles may be asked to turn around, allowed to continue, or held for further inspection as necessary. Because all vehicles entering this zone are considered an elevated danger, soldiers are prepared to fire disabling or lethal shots to protect themselves from aggressive behaviors.

A third, separate narrative and complementary video snippet explore how this could be used to thwart IED attacks and checkpoints and to discover IEDs before they are detonated.