New Airport Security Technology
The perceived terrorism and crime threats have urged authorities to increase efforts to develop new screening technologies to enhance the security of the traveling public using civil aviation.
In Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, a fully automatic baggage screening system, HBS, is already functioning. it was developed by the Israel’s Airport Authority in cooperation with Israeli experts.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and American Airlines, through a joint initiative, will install new screening technology, including automated security screening lanes and computed tomography (CT) scanners, at select American Airlines hubs nationwide this fall.
According to a TSA announcement, the automated screening lanes – already in use at one U.S. airport – incorporate technology and screening station modifications that enhance security effectiveness while decreasing the time travelers spend in security screening by approximately 30%. It is anticipated that the lanes would be deployed to Chicago (O’Hare), Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles and Miami.
American Airlines and TSA also plan to deploy computed tomography (CT) technology at a Phoenix TSA screening checkpoint, as a pilot program set to begin by the end of 2016.
“We are proud to be working collaboratively with the TSA to support next generation screening technology at five of our hubs,” said American Airlines Chief Operating Officer Robert Isom. “These state-of-the-art lanes, along with new detection technology that will be tested in Phoenix, will enhance security effectiveness and efficiency, while improving the customer experience.”
Some of the unique features of the advanced equipment include:
- Automated belts that draw bags into the X-ray machines, returning the bins back to queue after completion of the screening.
- Bags with a potential threat can be directed to a separate area to allow bins behind it to continue through the system uninterrupted.
- Property bins that are 25% larger than the bins in regular screening lanes.
- Unique Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags that are attached to each bin to allow for additional accountability of items as they transit throughout the system.
- Cameras that capture photos of the outside of the bag, which is linked to the X-ray image of the bag’s contents.
CT technology, currently only used at US airports to screen checked bags, is expected to significantly improve the throughput when added to the screening process in Phoenix. 3D CT technology could make it possible to allow passengers to leave liquids, gels and aerosols, as well as laptops, in their carry-on bags at all times. This results in a quicker throughput and less bin use. If the pilot testing is successful, TSA may deploy CT technology to other checkpoints nationwide.
TSA, in collaboration with vendors, airlines, airports, and across the counter-terrorism community, will roll out additional automated checkpoint lanes to improve the screening process as well as help minimize wait times, with hope to incorporate automated security checkpoint lanes at all US airports.
