Ann article A pilot program is scheduled to begin next month at the Las Vegas airport, according to an article about self-service testing on the Department of Homeland Security’s website. TSA declined to provide details about the system, and representatives from DHS did not respond to requests for comment.
According to the article, passengers with PreCheck will assume some of the responsibilities normally handled by TSA agents, such as checking identification and checking for prohibited items.
John Fortune, Program Manager speed screening DHS program Directorate General of Science and Technology, states in the article that self-screening allows passengers to set their own pace at checkpoints. Fortune said the system would also reduce the frequency of patrol stops and manual bag searches, freeing up officers for other safety needs.
“Many of these technologies allow passengers to have more control over their own movement through checkpoints, without necessarily having to interact with police officers, and to be more self-sufficient,” he said. Ta. President TJ Schultz Airport Consultant Council; An association representing airport development companies. “This continues the trend of allowing passengers to voluntarily pass through checkpoints and is very much in line with the airline’s overall travel passenger experience.”
Ha McNeil, a former TSA chief of staff who worked on the research and development project, said in an interview with The Washington Post that self-service screening will be a combination of technologies.
The baggage screening portion will be equipped with an automated screening lane system developed by Vanderlande Industries Inc., McNeil said. The DHS article notes that TSA tested automated lanes at a facility near Reagan National Airport in March. They also plan to use computerized tomography (CT) equipment, which has been steadily being installed at each airport since 2019. The device’s 3D imaging provides a clear view of the inside of a bag, allowing passengers to keep electronics and liquids in their carry-on luggage. The TSA told the Post it plans to install CT scanners. Approximately 2,500 checkpoint lanes will be installed by around 2040.
For body scans, passengers pass through electronic gates, McNeil said. He added that the panel detector system would allow travelers to keep their arms at their sides rather than raising them high as current models dictate. This setup is also forgiving for people who forget to empty their pockets.
“When you move up, you don’t need a human to say, ‘Come on in,'” said McNeil, now executive vice president of commercial solutions at Pangiam, a technology provider to the aviation industry. Ta. “The electronic gate opens and a machine searches your body. If you forget to take something out, for example if you leave your car keys in your pocket, the back gate will not open. You have to go back and take it from your pocket. You will be asked to take it out and come back inside.”
Security has evolved since the September 11 attacks changed air travel. Over the years, TSA has embraced new technologies aimed at streamlining processes while enhancing security. At many airports, staff only check your ID, not your boarding pass.
Biometric authentication is also becoming established. As an example, Delta Airlines has introduced a facial recognition program called . delta digital id Available at select airports including Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, LaGuardia, and New York City’s JFK. Instead of pulling out documents, members of the airline’s SkyMiles loyalty program can simply look into a camera for bag drop or security checks.
“There’s no need to take out your ID or boarding pass. You’re opting in to having your face used, so if passengers wish to do so, they’ll have options to facilitate that choice.” McNeil said his company, Pangiam, developed the technology for the airline.
Price said that while experienced travelers can easily adopt new technology, beginners may not understand it right away. He said authorities would have to step in and explain the process, which could create confusion and slow the flow. In his experience, he said, informative videos that explain rules for liquids and electronics don’t really stick. People prefer in-person tutorials.
“There’s going to be a huge learning curve on this, and it’s not just a learning curve for the screeners,” he said. “All passengers will learn.”
Schultz said funding could also be an obstacle. Technology is expensive. In April, the TSA announced plans to purchase three CT scanners for $1.3 billion. In 2021, it earmarked $198 million for equipment. The following year, $781 million was allocated.
“The big challenge for TSA is money,” Schultz said. “They don’t have the funding to fully develop and deploy these advanced technologies.”
TSA will first deploy self-service scanning in several lanes at Las Vegas Airport, a testing ground for many TSA innovations. McNeil said he expects its debut to coincide with the Consumer Technology Association’s announcement. ces convention In Vegas. The annual gathering, which drew more than 115,000 guests last year, has events scheduled from January 7th to January 12th.