Laying out a potential vision for future airport security checkpoint operations, the Department of Homeland Security is seeking potential solutions that could screen passengers for weapons and explosives hidden under their clothing while they are divesting their carry-on items at a checkpoint in an effort to save time and enhance the passenger screening experience.
The Request for Information was issued by the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate under its Apex Screening at Speed program. S&T is working with the Transportation Security Administration’s Innovation Task Force to investigate the passenger self-screening solution to “transform” the PreCheck trusted traveler concept of operations, according to the RFI.
DHS is looking for solutions that could be “rapidly developed” and would be deployed with Automated Screening Lanes (ASLs) and an X-Ray system that would scan the carry-on items. TSA has been evaluating ASLs at more than 100 checkpoint security lanes at a number of airports. The ASLs feature multiple divestment stations so passengers feel less hurried, mechanized rollers, larger bins, and automated bin return systems.
The self-screening solution would eliminate the need for a traveler to pass-through a screening portal after divesting their carry-on items. It would also work with the natural motions that passengers use while divesting items.
“The objective would be to create a passenger friendly, intuitive screening process while improving security, accelerating passenger throughput, and reducing pat-down rates,” S&T says.
In the posting on the federal procurement website, S&T likens the proposed screening concept to “self-checkout at grocery stores,” the use of bank ATM machines, and self-tagged checked baggage.
And what if there is an alarm while a traveler is going through the divestiture process?
In near-real time, the solution would “Enable passengers to directly receive on-person alarm information while divesting, and allow for the passenger self-resolution of alarms through continued divestment to reduce instances where a pat-down/secondary screening procedure would be necessary,” the FedBizOpps.gov notice says.
TSA has previously discussed the “checkpoint of the future,” and the “RFI is in-line” with that, Steve Karoly, former acting assistant administrator for TSA’s Office of Requirements and Capabilities Analysis and currently senior director for Innovation and Program Delivery at Vantage Airport Group, tells HSR.
“I think this RFI confirms that there are some entities within DHS that are trying to think outside the box…and that is a very good thing,” Karoly says in an email reply to questions. “In my view, industry has some work cut out for them to accomplish these goals.”
That said, Karoly believes the vision of “expected capabilities” outlined in the RFI will help industry prioritize its independent research and development investments.
The RFI says the screening requirements would be no different than they are currently in PreCheck lanes where a passenger walks through a metal detector after divesting his or her items. It does say that other screening technologies such as millimeter wave may be considered to meet requirements. Responses to the RFI are due by Dec. 4. Contact: Jennifer Koons, contracting officer, [email protected], 202-447-5723.