Marrying Algorithms for Travel Safety

As U.S. airports continue to see record-breaking numbers, the mission remains the same: ensuring the safety of passengers.

The technology seen at security checkpoints has changed over time. Most recently, the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) has been working on deploying computed tomography (CT) technology.

“It’s more effective because it can determine more explosives and also the ability for the officers to rotate the image 360 degrees,” said Melissa Conley, executive director for capability management and innovation at the TSA.

Rather than the current 2D image x-ray systems, the advancement will see 3D images with tools available for officers to better analyze images.

While the CTs have been great at detecting explosives, other prohibited items must also be targeted.

“We’re working with our equipment manufacturers to develop prohibited items algorithms so that we can marry the explosives and the prohibited items algorithms and layer that onto the system so that we don’t have to be looking at every single bag,” she explained.

The technology was in its first development iteration at the time of the interview with Conley. With extensive testing taking place, the agency is planning to do field data collection on algorithms developed come December.

Time of deployment to U.S. airports is unknown.