HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has installed two new technology units to improve the screening capabilities of travelers and their belongings at the security checkpoint. A new credential authentication technology (CAT) unit and computed tomography scanner are now being used at the airport’s checkpoint.
Travelers will first interact with the new CAT technology at the travel document check podium. A passenger’s ID is entered into the unit, which verifies the validity of a traveler’s identification and verifies their flight information in near real time.
“The technology improves detection capabilities for identifying fraudulent documents such as driver’s licenses and passports at the checkpoint and increases efficiency by automatically verifying passenger identification,” said Christopher Murgia, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Maryland. “The system will also confirm the passenger’s flight status in near real time through a secure connection. This technology improves our capabilities to detect fraudulent documents at the security checkpoint.
CAT units validate more than 2,500 different types of ID including passports, military common access cards, retired military ID cards, Department of Homeland Security Trusted Traveler ID cards, uniformed services ID cards, permanent resident card, US visa and driver’s license and photo ID issued. through state motor vehicle departments. When a traveler gives the TSA officer their ID, the officer places it in the CAT unit, which scans the ID and notifies the TSA officer if the ID is valid.
Travelers approaching the TSA travel document checking podium do not need to show their boarding pass because the CAT unit verifies that the traveler is ticketed to exit the airport for a flight that day. Even with TSA using CAT, travelers still need to check-in with their airline and bring their boarding pass to their gate agent to show the airline representative before boarding their flight.
After passing through the travel document checking podium, travelers will immediately approach the new state-of-the-art advanced technology computed tomography (CT) scanner that provides 3-D imaging that provides critical explosives detection capabilities. for screening carry-on items.
“Our officers’ use of CT technology greatly improves our checkpoint threat detection capability,” Murgia said. “Previously, our screening technology for carry-on bags used 2-D images. CT technology applies advanced algorithms for the detection of explosives, including liquid explosives and other threatening objects.
The system applies sophisticated algorithms for detecting explosives by creating a 3-D image that can be viewed and rotated 360 degrees on three axes for full visual image analysis by a TSA officer. This new technology creates a clear image of the contents of the bag that the system can automatically detect explosives, including liquids, by shooting hundreds of images with an X-ray camera that rotates around the conveyor belt to give TSA officers three-dimensional views of the contents of a carry-on bag.
It takes a few extra seconds for the TSA officer to see the image and rotate it to better understand its contents, however in most instances, rotating the image allows the TSA officer to identify an item inside the bag and clear it without having to open it for inspection. Checkpoint CT technology should result in fewer bag checks. However, if a bag requires further inspection, a transportation security officer will inspect it to ensure that a threatening item is not inside.
The CT units have a slightly smaller entry tunnel and not all large carry-on bags will fit the units. The TSA recommends that the airline check large carry-on items.
The CT unit also represents a convenience to passengers because passengers using these machines in Hagerstown will be allowed to leave their laptops and other electronic devices in their carry-on bags.
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