France, U.K., Belgium and Holland agreed to a trial for passengers taking Eurostar or Thalys services. The governments agreed to pre-check passengers using the high-speed train railway service before reaching the station.

The idea is similar to procedures air travelers endure before boarding aircraft. The service aims to detect risk-profile travelers, especially those likely to prepare terrorist attacks. The pilot project, which will closely involve private companies, is responding to the necessary strengthening of safety. The four countries concerned will initially set up a task force to discuss how to implement procedures.

“Our intention is that the system is operational by the end of the year,” said Jan Jambon, Belgian Interior Minister.

Eurostar passengers traveling to and from the U.K. already undergo passport and security checks, but these measures would take matters a step further. Thalys, the high-speed service between Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne, also has security measures in place, but not to an advanced degree.

The data provided by travelers who purchase a ticket from the two companies will be exchanged between the four countries. The transfer of passenger name records is already foreseen in a European directive set to take place in 2018.