6.1 Checkpoint-for Passengers and Carry-On Luggage

Checkpoint security research is needed (1) to develop and improve technologies to prevent the introduction of threats such as improvised explosive device components and weapons that may be concealed on persons or in carry-on items, and (2) to integrate, as operationally suitable, the developed technologies. The Aviation Security Laboratory identifies, develops, and prepares for deployment technologies to detect threats at airport checkpoints and develops methods to improve screener performance. Currently the laboratory is researching methods to improve existing technologies by reducing false alarm rates, improving throughput of people in the checkpoint, and improving throughput of bags using an integrated system. The object of this research is to eliminate threats onboard aircraft, reduce fatalities, and decrease the catastrophic financial loss from a sabotaged plane, considering the cost of the Pan Am 103 tragedy estimated at $1.5 billion.

Products evaluated, deployed, or under development for checkpoint security include:

• IonScan 400 by Barringer Instruments
• Itemizer by Ion Track Industries
• CPAD Orion and CPAD Orion Plus by CPAD Technologies
• EGIS 3000 by Thermedics
• EGIS II by Thermedics
• Document scanner by Barringer Instruments
• Access Control Monitor by Ion Track Industries (prototype)
• Sandia Portal by Sandia Labs (prototype)
• SecurScan Portal by Thermedics (prototype)
• Dielectric Portal by Spatial Dynamics (prototype)
• ITI/Penn State Portal (prototype)

Lee Spanier
609-485-6963
lee.spanier@tc.faa.gov