The Screening at Speed (SaS) Program is pursuing transformative R&D activities that support a future vision for increasing security effectiveness while dramatically reducing wait times and improving the passenger experience.
TSA requires detection technologies that effectively and efficiently screen people for concealed explosive threats. Currently, as people move through checkpoints they must remove outerwear, footwear, belts and headwear, slowing the line and decreasing public acceptance. False alarms are frequent, causing inconvenient and intrusive pat-downs and searches. SaS is developing technology that would enable the scanning of walking passengers, acquiring data through most garments and reliably detecting a wider range of prohibited items regardless of concealment.
The SaS Program will also integrate these screening tools with wide-area surveillance, airport risk assessment modeling, high-speed data processing, risk-based screening, and other technologies to further reduce the overall risk throughout an airport. As SaS technologies enable the rapid screening of passengers and their belongings, it is anticipated that other operational uses, such as at special events and stadiums, and in mass transit, will become feasible.
News
- Feature Article: Speedier Security Screening in the Palm of the Hand
- Feature Article: A Self-Service Screening Option is Coming to the Airport
- Technologically Speaking Podcast: Improving the Current Fleet
- News Release: New Carry-On Baggage Screening System Aims to Reduce Traveler Screening Times
- News Release: DHS S&T Transitions New Compact Baggage Screener to TSA
- Feature Article: New Handheld Screening Wands Could Reduce the Need for Airport Pat-Downs
- News Release: DHS S&T Awards Funding to Design Passenger Self-Screening Hardware System
- News Release: DHS S&T Awards Funding to Design Passenger Self-Screening Solution
- News Release: DHS S&T Conducts Remote Screening Demonstration at Cape Cod Gateway Airport
- News Release: DHS-Funded Security Technology Licensed for Commercialization
Resources
- Screening at Speed Program Fact Sheet
- Lane-Based Self-Service Screening Fact Sheet
- Passenger Self-Service Screening Fact Sheet
- Pod-Based Self-Service Screening Fact Sheet
- Self-Service Screening System Video