TSA Testing Airport Imaging Software To Enhance Passenger Privacy

NEWSROOM


TSA Testing Airport Imaging Software To Enhance Passenger Privacy By Daniel Baxter

		February 2, 2011 - The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin testing new software on its advanced imaging technology (AIT) machines that enhances privacy by eliminating passenger-specific images and instead auto-detects potential threat items and indicates their location on a generic outline of a person, TSA Administrator John Pistole announced on Tuesday. TSA will test the new software at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS) beginning, on Monday, and at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in the coming days. "We are always looking for new technology and procedures that will both enhance security while strengthening privacy protections," Pistole said. "Testing this new software will help us confirm test results that indicate it can provide the same high level of security as current advanced imaging technology units while further enhancing the privacy protections already in place."

The new software will automatically detect potential threat items and indicate their location on a generic outline of a person that will appear on a monitor attached to the AIT unit. As with the current version of AIT, the areas identified as containing potential threats will require additional screening. The generic outline will be identical for all passengers. If no potential threat items are detected, an "OK" will appear on the monitor with no outline. By eliminating the passenger-specific image associated with the current version of AIT, a separate TSA officer will no longer be required to view the image in a remotely-located viewing room. Through removing this step of the process, AIT screening will become more efficient, expanding the throughput capability of the technology. TSA worked with the Department of Homeland Security?s (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) and private industry to develop the software, and began testing it at the TSA Systems Integration Facility in the fall of 2010.

		AIT safely screens passengers without physical contact for both metallic and non metallic threats, including weapons and explosives. Currently, there are nearly 500 imaging technology units at 78 airports nationwide, with additional units planned for deployment this year. The new software is being tested on millimeter wave AIT units currently in airports, with plans to test similar software on backscatter units in the future. Other News Stories OIG To Review FAA?s Air Traffic Facility Realignment And Consolidation FAA Certifies Alakai?s Flight Data System (FDM) On AS350 Helicopters Aviation Pioneer Founder Of Kaman Aircraft Passed Away At 91 Pilot?s Roles And Responsibilities During Visual Approaches TSA Halts Private Security Applications At Our Nation?s Airports Air New Zealand?s All Black A320 Touches Down At LAX Airport Boeing Rejects The WTO?s Final Findings DOT Secretary Views On ?The Future of Aviation In America? Pilot Leaders From 7 US Airways Express Airlines Finalize Alliance Southwest Airlines Donates $300,000 In Travel To Help Make-A-Wish Foundation Court Ruling Helps Preserve Access To Santa Monica Airport Lightspeed Aviation Provides $100,000 To Aviation Related Charities Hartsfield-Jackson Remains Busiest Airport In The World Aerobatic Single Place Folding Wing Aircraft Makes First Flight Boeing Receives $1.6B Contract For P-8A Poseidon Aircraft Proposed Change To Irish And UK Airspace Transition Altitude Jeppesen, India?s Jet Airways Sign 5 Year EFB Class 2 Contract EADS CEO Testifies Before SASC On The KC-X Competition Disclosure FAA Approves Croatia As Meeting International Aviation Standards Airbus A330 MRTT Performs ?Wet Contacts? With Two F-18 Fighters Canada?s DATS Receives AMO Certification On The SAAB 340 Aircraft The 5Th And Final Flight Test For The G650 Aircraft Took To The Skies Historic Aircraft Collection, Airport, And Endowment Donated To College Allegiant Air Flight Attendants Vote Yes Dispatchers No To Unionizing Horizon Air Retiring Its Public Brand, Adopting Alaska Airlines' Eskimo Cessna Hits Stride With Skycatcher Light Sport Aircraft Deliveries Eurofighter Typhoon Achieves 100,000 Flying Hours Dispute Could Cost Aer Lingus Airlines Over $500,000 A Day Boeing Begins Flight Testing UK Chinook MK4 Helicopter FAA Warns Pilots Of Part 23 Aircraft Stall Warning Indicators In Icing Conditions Improving Canada?s Air Transport Competitiveness MiG-29 Fighter Soars Over The Pacific Northwest