Wed, Feb 02, 2011
TSA Begins Testing New Advanced Imaging Technology
Software
TSA says it 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
Tuesday. TSA began testing the new software at Las Vegas McCarran
International Airport (LAS) on February 1, and will expand to
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.
TSA Administrator John Pistole
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.
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