National Academies Press: OpenBook

Introduction to Blockchain and Airport Operations in a COVID-19 Environment (2020)

Chapter: Session 2: Blockchain in Use at Airports: Customer Facing Applications

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Suggested Citation:"Session 2: Blockchain in Use at Airports: Customer Facing Applications ." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Introduction to Blockchain and Airport Operations in a COVID-19 Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26036.
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Suggested Citation:"Session 2: Blockchain in Use at Airports: Customer Facing Applications ." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Introduction to Blockchain and Airport Operations in a COVID-19 Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26036.
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Suggested Citation:"Session 2: Blockchain in Use at Airports: Customer Facing Applications ." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Introduction to Blockchain and Airport Operations in a COVID-19 Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26036.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Session 2: Blockchain in Use at Airports: Customer Facing Applications ." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Introduction to Blockchain and Airport Operations in a COVID-19 Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26036.
×
Page 26

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11 SESSION 2  Blockchain in Use at Airports: Customer‐Facing  Applications  Xiaochen Zhang, FinTech4Good, Moderator Presenters  Dan Mapes, VERSES Brian Xin, GreenPass Xiaochen Zhang stated that there are emerging applications of blockchain beyond the finance industry. He noted that certain criteria must be met for blockchain applications to be possible, including the need for record sharing, the involvement of many players, and privacy concerns. The airport and broader transportation industry meet these criteria. This session included discussions on customer-facing blockchain applications at airports, such as baggage and health status tracking. Zhang added that the experience of each passenger is also important for airlines and airports, and blockchain could help improve customer experience. Zhang noted specific potential applications for airports and airlines, including digital currency for ticketing and payment; passenger and crew identity management; management of digital assets such as frequent flyer miles; and tracking and tracing of baggage, cargo, and spare parts. Zhang stated that COVID-19 is transforming all industries and raising the question of how to rebuild in a more thoughtful way. Contact tracing and safe travel will be essential for rebuilding the travel industry. Zhang noted that this requires a new type of digital infrastructure that could be blockchain based. Dan Mapes stated that, historically, there have been many good applications of blockchain. However, they have been siloed. In 1969, the idea of a network of networks—a decentralized system run by protocols—arose. In the mid-1990s, this evolved into a network of content inside a system controlled by a single authority (e.g., America Online). Mapes noted that Tim Berners-Lee came up with the idea of a world wide web, which harkened back to the 1969 vision. Web pages were indexed and hyperlinked, and there was a remarkable power in having an open protocol (http protocol, with HTML language).

12 Mapes stated that blockchain and other technologies such as AI and machine learning are similarly powerful. Mapes noted that at present, it is not possible to run an airport the way we may intend because of the limitations placed by older systems and technologies, or because we are building siloed applications that do not communicate with other airports, municipalities, or transportation hubs. Mapes stated that there is a need to think about how to operate an airport so that all systems are interoperable within and across airports. The original World Wide Web can be hacked. Digital ledgers can help with that problem, but a new, broader protocol is needed—the spatial web. The spatial web is a network that is entirely devoted to managing spatial data (i.e., where a transaction occurred) while retaining user privacy and control over data. Thus, such a system could record where and when an event took place (as conventional GPS time-stamping systems do) but would protect that data in a blockchain environment and would establish secure protocols for sharing spatial data. Mapes stated that every city is trying to digitize itself, as are many buildings and factories. Once a digital twin (i.e., a virtual model) of the operation is created, it can be programmed, and rules, rights, and permissions can be established. Mapes noted that this effort is analogous to programming for computer gaming. Everything is linked together in a single system running on a global standard, providing a new level of security, convenience, and services. Mapes stated that, embedded within the digital twin of an airport, are data, information, and IoT sensors providing real-time feedback. When passengers enter the airport, they can be guided to where they need to go and their bags tracked through the system. Airport operators could see the entire airport, but customers would only see the information they need to see. The check-in, traveler information, baggage handling, and other services would be enhanced. Mapes noted that cameras could be used for tracking and identifying suspicious activity and sounds. This system model mimics what is already been done with paper documents, but for all operations across the airport. Brian Xin stated that COVID-19 has presented a global challenge and noted that isolation and shutdowns are not sustainable. Countries are concerned about importing cases of the virus, making cross-border reopenings difficult. Xin noted that there is a need for a global framework based on sharable health status across borders. The solution should be simple and easy to use: data should be traceable, accurate, and reliable; data ownership and privacy should be protected; health status codes should be integrated into existing solutions; and the platform should be open and flexible. Xin stated that GreenPass, one of many blockchain health applications currently under development, is based around a personal health status code, or red-/yellow-/green-colored quick response (QR) code

13 generated on the basis of data entries (temperature, health assessment report, and geolocation data). Xin stated that the health status code must be reliable. Data can be entered by the user or another party and can also connect to an IoT device. Xin stated that blockchain-distributed ledger technology is being used for GreenPass to ensure that data security and privacy are protected by technology itself, not by a legal document. Xin noted that there are two key elements: a decentralized identity (DID), that is, a unique identifier that is fully controlled by the identity-holder and not linked to a central authority or registry, and verifiable credentials. Data are stored on and off the blockchain. Only the hash value of health data is stored on the blockchain, not the health data themselves. An individual’s health status and sensitive personal information are stored off-chain (on local cell phone storage or a local hard drive with a personal signature and encryption). Xin stated that GreenPass uses a public ledger technology, Elastos. The goal is to create a federation of identity across platforms so all platforms and solutions can be interoperable. Xin stated that there are several airport operations scenarios in which such a blockchain application could be useful:  Passengers can demonstrate their green status from booking to check-in to travel to landing, currently on the basis of a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test from within a certain time frame.  Staff can demonstrate daily green status, thereby supporting a healthy working environment and contributing to contact tracing capabilities.  Airport operators can integrate health status codes across operations, including with the booking and on-boarding processes and for information sharing with destination authorities, contact tracing, and overall decision-making. Xin noted challenges and opportunities associated with GreenPass development. These include the need for the application to be practical and for interoperability before systems can be shared. Collaboration and data sharing are a heightened need in a pandemic, but better collaboration and data-sharing tools are needed, as are data standards around health status codes. Xin stated that an open interface is essential for integrating with other systems, which is why some decentralization of technology is important. Xin stated that airport operators need an industry alliance to work effectively within customs regulations, government policies, and data privacy and security issues. The pandemic has highlighted connections and the need to talk to each other and work

14 together. Once the technology is in place, no one wants to stop healthy people from traveling. Xin noted that airports are special places. They are hubs that provide a connection to the world. There is a need for a health-focused global framework and global alliance to connect and cover airports and airlines, hotels and tourist destinations, events and sports, the Olympic games, and more. Zhang asked how blockchain can help airlines and airports adapt and rebuild in a better way. Mapes responded that one of the biggest issues is that there are hundreds of COVID- 19 tracking and tracing applications around the world, none of which communicate with each other. Even if they are all based on blockchain, the challenge of universal agreement still exists. Mapes noted that his organization has been working on a data normalization approach to allow the applications to connect and create a metamodel, or model of a model. That level of technology can be linked back to blockchain in a way that honors data privacy. Xin stated that interoperability is important at this stage and noted that the weakness of Internet-based solutions is apparent. There are many solutions right now, but most are locally focused and use specific technology. Xin noted the need for a global or metaframework with open standards. Zhang asked what the key barriers are for adopting customer-facing blockchain applications in the near future. Mapes responded that organizations can slowly migrate customer-facing applications to distributed ledger technologies, of which blockchain is just one form. Mapes stated that it is important to enable organizations to migrate from the cloud or servers to these technologies slowly, over time. Xin noted that in the past several years, blockchain technology has evolved significantly, but people are not aware of or do not understand it. Xin stated that there is a need for a bridge that integrates blockchain with typical solutions, bringing in blockchain as a solution to the parts of a problem it is best suited to address. Xin stated that there is a transition period of figuring out how to deliver practical blockchain technology into real- life applications.

Next: Session 3: Blockchain in Use at Airports: Operations Facing Applications »
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In the airport industry, potential applications for blockchain include security and identification, flight data management, safety and maintenance, baggage and cargo tracking, regulatory compliance, and more. Promising blockchain applications specific to COVID-19 include passenger health verification and contact tracing, facilitating a contactless passenger experience, and tracking the movement of healthcare supplies and pharmaceuticals (including vaccines) from origin to final destination.

The TRB Airport Cooperative Research Program's Conference Proceedings on the Web 28: Introduction to Blockchain and Airport Operations in a COVID-19 Environment brings together conference proceedings of representatives from the airport sector and the blockchain industry along with other experts engaged in airport operations, information technology, and blockchain.

This ACRP Insight Event took place virtually on August 4–5, 2020. More information is available at http://www.trb.org/ACRP/ACRP-Insight-Events.aspx.

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