Air passenger traffic in the United States is making a slow recovery back to pre-pandemic levels. After cratering below 380 million in 2020, airlines ferried 862.8 million passengers in 2023, 10 million more than the year before (Statista). While not at 2019 levels yet, volumes are climbing steadily and pedestrian traffic at airports climbs as well. To help streamline screening processes and mitigate increasing passenger traffic, the Transportation Security Administration has rolled out brand new technology and is currently testing software and hardware that is expected to speed up the screening process while maintaining security standards.Self-serve checkouts are mainstays in grocery and retail environments but can they deliver functionality in highly sensitive areas such as airport security?
World Events Heightened Airport Security Measures
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was established in the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. One of the agency’s mandates is to screen passenger traffic at domestic airports for security threats and over the years, TSA screenings have become a troublesome and lengthy part of travel. Using modern and cutting edge technology, the TSA has deployed a new system at Harry Reid International Airport in Last Vegas in the hopes of speeding up the screening process while maintaining mandated levels of security. The PreCheck system is a self-checkout style screening system that allows the passenger to go through the process at their own pace. The system is designed to minimize in person interaction with TSA while performing a complete screening process. The TSA indicates this pilot program is meant to enhance the individual experience by allowing more autonomy to the passenger while still performing the necessary scans and screenings to ensure security and safety in the air. If successful, further adoption of systems could speed up the security process for travelers to keep foot traffic moving.
Specialized Hardware Does the Job
TSA’s new screening system is part of its PreCheck program and travelers that have TSA pre approval can currently use the new technology when traveling through Las Vegas. The new check in system utilized a few different technologies to complete the screening process. Carry on and checked bags are placed in specialized bins that travel through an automated scanner and can check for liquid volumes, firearms and other prohibited items. The passenger checks in at an automated screen to answer a few questions, drops personal items such as purses and mobile devices in another bin to complete that initial screen. A live agent is available on screen to intervene or assist at any time. Once directed, the passenger then enters a biometric scanning booth and is instructed on screen on correct poses to complete the body scan. Large and easy to use graphics assist in completing the body scan and travelers are directed back out if any items are detected. A successful scan activates doors on the secure side of the terminal and the passenger is directed to exit. The physical hardware is backed by software that can quickly compile and cross check data, ensuring a smooth screening process for the passenger.
The World Today
After 9/11, the global security situation changed dramatically and invasive screening processes became necessary to maintain safety at airports and in the skies. The current situation in terms of security is far worse as threats exist from many different outlets. This latest technology try out from the TSA is aimed at enhancing the traveler’s experience when flying. Easy to use and intuitive in nature, time will tell if these systems can actually maintain predetermined security standards while offering individual passenger autonomy. It is also important to note that these technologies could eventually replace human screeners and if successful, one on one interaction with airport security may become a thing of the past.
Self – Service is the Wave of the Future
As technology continues to evolve, so will ‘self-serve’ culture. What’s normal at grocery stores and big box retailers will now be available to air travel passengers in the near future. The TSA is testing self-service type checkout kiosks that allow passengers to control the screening process, with the goal of enhancing the individual’s experience. Technology like this could also help smooth traffic flow at busy airports while maintaining set security standards. The need for such streamlining technology is necessary as air travel passenger volumes return to almost pre-pandemic levels. A heightened global security environment would truly put the technology to the test as accuracy and thoroughness are critical components to these types of security screenings. It will be interesting to see individual reactions to these systems as the experiment in the grocery and retail industries has led to increased theft and customer dissatisfaction with the impersonal checkout and lack of customer service. On the other end of the spectrum, speed and efficiency are greatly valued by travelers which could translate to positive response and more adoption of the TSA’s self-serve system.