The chairman of a House subcommittee that oversees the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wants the agency to look at the additional staff and resources it would need to strengthen a year-old task force charged with bringing new capabilities and technologies aimed at strengthening aviation security and at the same time improving efficiencies.

Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Transportation and Protective Services Subcommittee, said at a hearing on Thursday that he would like TSA’s response within a few weeks.

Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Transportation and Protective Security Subcommittee.
Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Transportation and Protective Security Subcommittee.

TSA currently has 14 full-time employees devoted to its Innovation Task Force, which also leverages personnel elsewhere in the agency, and its industry partners, including airports and airlines, Steve Karoly, acting assistant administrator for the agency’s Office of Requirements and Capabilities Analysis. He said the vision is to have 25 full-time employees as part of the task force.

Katko said he wants a “couple of scenarios” from Karoly with more specifics on personnel needs and how Congress can help “really, truly turbocharge this task force idea, because what we want to do is be able to get the technologies … that’s cutting edge on the front lines.” He added that the task for is “one of the keys” to getting technologies applied to aviation security faster than is now the case.

Katko also lauded the public/private partnership framework that is a hallmark of the Innovation Task Force’s working model, saying it is “one of the best things TSA has done in a long time.”

The task force concept was created by former TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger just over a year ago and it quickly resulted in the operational testing of new Automated Screening Lanes beginning at two passenger checkpoint security lanes at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The task force, working with stakeholders, is attempting to more quickly get technologies and other capabilities tested, allowing the agency, vendors, airports and airlines to get immediate feedback.

Key features of the new “smart lanes,” which have since expanded to 51 security lanes at four U.S. airports, include automated bin return systems, five-point divesture stations, and exit diverters that move suspect carry-on bags to a parallel track for additional screening and to prevent a traveler from being able to access the parcel.

Roosevelt Council, general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson, told the committee that smart lanes have improved passenger throughputs by about 30 percent. He said there is still a learning curve for passengers to adapt to the new lanes. Automation also benefits TSA and the airport, he said, adding that in time the efficiencies could help “propel” long-term growth at the airport, which is seeing record numbers of travelers.

L3 Technologies [LLL] provides the smart lane components, which also include software and other capabilities that the company says will eventually lead to more efficiencies and better use of resources.

For the past year the task force has been focused on the Automated Screening Lanes but soon will be testing new technologies, beginning with computed tomography (CT)-based screening systems to scan carry-on bags. The CT systems have been used since 9/11 to automatically screen checked bags for explosives.

Karoly said a CT system will be installed at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport in about two weeks. That system will be supplied by L3. Another CT system will be installed shortly thereafter in Boston or Chicago, he said. That system will be supplied by Integrated Defense & Security Solutions.

The CT technology has higher imaging resolution than the current Advanced Technology (AT) X-Ray systems that screen carry-on bags at airports. That higher resolution enables the automated detection of explosives at high screening standards and better allows an operator to detect other threats such as guns and knives. This technology is expected to further improve efficiencies and security at airports.

Most of the AT systems deployed at U.S. airports are supplied by the Rapiscan Systems division of OSI Systems [OSIS] and the Smiths Detection division of Britain’s Smiths Group. L3 also has supplied a small number of AT systems to the TSA.

Karoly also said that TSA this summer will begin testing biometric technology at the front of screening lanes used by its PreCheck trusted travelers. The technology will be fingerprint scanners that one day could eliminate the need for the travel document check, he said.