X-Ray Units And Baggage Screening Technology Top The List Of
Improvements
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet
Napolitano announced Friday that approximately $98 million in
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for advanced
technology (AT) X-ray units and inline baggage screening
systems—enhancing the Transportation Security
Administration's (TSA) ongoing efforts to strengthen airport
security while boosting the local economy.
"These state-of-the-art technologies will strengthen security
for travelers by enhancing our capability to detect and disrupt
threats," said Secretary Napolitano. "Dedicating these vital
Recovery Act funds to critical airport security technology projects
will create local jobs, streamline the passenger check-in process
and bolster security at airports across the nation."
"The deployment of enhanced checked and carry-on baggage
screening technology is critical to TSA's efforts to stay ahead of
evolving threats to aviation security and ensure the safety of the
traveling public," said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole.
The ARRA funds announced today include approximately $68.8
million – supplemented by $17.5 million in fiscal year 2009
funds—for the purchase and installation of next-generation AT
X-ray units to screen carry-on baggage for explosives and
prohibited items at airports nationwide.
These next-generation AT X-ray systems screen carry-on baggage
for explosives or prohibited items at checkpoints—featuring
enhanced detection capabilities that enable TSA to detect new
threats as well as second viewing stations, which will streamline
the bag check process for officers. Currently, TSA employs more
than 940 AT X-ray units at airports nationwide.
In addition, approximately $28.9 million from ARRA will fund the
construction of an inline baggage screening system in Terminal 1 of
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL). $335,860 in ARRA
funds will also go to Colorado Springs Airport (COS) to complete
the design for a checked baggage screening system.
Inline screening systems use state-of-the art technology to
screen checked baggage for explosives, while streamlining the
ticketing and boarding process for passengers. Additionally, the
systems provide on-screen resolution capabilities for security
officers screening baggage—reducing the number of re-scans
and physical bag searches.
ARRA, signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17, 2009,
committed more than $3 billion for homeland security projects
through DHS and the General Services Administration. Of the $1
billion allocated to TSA for aviation security projects,
approximately $734 million is dedicated to screening checked
baggage and $266 million is allocated for airport checkpoint
screening and closed circuit surveillance technologies.
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