A Technology Partnership for the New Millennium

Future Flight Image in a Diamond Shape

6.4 Airport Security Technology

 The airport security technology integration program focuses on security of the airport environment and security of FAA facilities, equipment, and communications. Major program areas include personnel access, physical security, systems engineering related to equipment operational suitability, positive passenger bag matching, decision-support tools such as Blast/FX, passenger and baggage flow, and risk or vulnerability assessments. The goals of the program are to improve security of airports and security of National Airspace System facilities, to develop a Civil Aviation Security system architecture, and to enhance total system effectiveness.

Currently, the laboratory is examining methods to analyze airport security via PC-based tools and methods to monitor airport security and integrate with other airport control functions. Airport security goals are to improve the prediction of airport security needs, reduce the cost of security equipment, and improve the effectiveness of perimeter and physical security.

Benefits of this research are to improve airport security planning capabilities, to reduce life cycle costs for airport and air carrier security and to minimize threats onboard aircraft, reduce fatalities, and decrease the catastrophic financial loss from a sabotaged plane.

Products developed through airport security technology research include:

  • Blast/FX Modeling Tool for estimation of explosive damage to air terminals and passengers
  • Positive Passenger Bag Match technology
  • Risk management methodology for airport vulnerability and risk self-assessment
  • Revised "Recommended Security Guidelines for Airport Planning, Design and Construction"

FAA POCs:
Walter Wall
609-485-5731
walter.wall@tc.faa.gov

Rick Lazarick
609-485-6996
rick.lazarick@tc.faa.gov

 
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