Imaging Technology
Innovation & Technology
TSA began deploying state-of-the-art advanced imaging technologies in 2007. This technology can detect a wide range of threats to transportation security in a matter of seconds to protect passengers and crews. Imaging technology is an integral part of TSA's effort to continually look for new technologies that help ensure travel remains safe and secure by staying ahead of evolving threats.
TSA uses two types of imaging technology, millimeter wave and backscatter. Currently, there are 74 imaging technology units at 27 airports.
In March 2010, TSA began deploying 450 advanced imaging technology units, which were purchased with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA) funds.
Advanced imaging technology screening is safe for all passengers, and the technology meets national health and safety standards. Backscatter technology was evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), and results confirmed that radiation doses are well below those specified by the American National Standards Institute. The amount of radiation from backscatter screening is equivalent to two minutes of flight on an airplane, and the energy projected by millimeter wave technology is 10,000 times less than a cell phone transmission.
TSA has implemented strict measures to protect passenger privacy, which is ensured through the anonymity of the image. The image cannot be stored, transmitted or printed, and is deleted immediately once viewed. Additionally, advanced imaging technology screening is optional to all passengers.
How the Technology Works
Backscatter
- Backscatter technology projects low level X-ray beams over the body to create a reflection of the body displayed on the monitor.
Millimeter Wave
- Millimeter wave technology bounces harmless electromagnetic waves off the body to create a black and white three-dimensional image.
What TSA Sees
- Millimeter wave technology produces an image that resembles a fuzzy photo negative.
- Backscatter technology produces an image that resembles a chalk etching.
- Both technologies are viewed by a Transportation Security Officer in a remote, secure location.
Safety Features
- Advanced imaging technology is safe and meets national health and safety standards.
- Backscatter technology was evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), the National Institute for Science and Technology (NIST), and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL).
- All results confirmed that the radiation doses for the individuals being screened, operators, and bystanders were well below the dose limits specified by the American National Standards Institute.
- For comparison, the energy projected by millimeter wave technology is 10,000 times less than a cell phone transmission.
- A single scan using backscatter technology produces exposure equivalent to two minutes of flying on an airplane.
Protecting Passenger Privacy
- Strict privacy safeguards are built into the foundation of TSA’s use of advanced imaging technology to protect passenger privacy and ensure anonymity.
- The officer who assists the passenger never sees the image the technology produces.
- The officer who views the image is remotely located, in a secure resolution room and never sees the passenger.
- To further protect passenger privacy, millimeter wave technology blurs all facial features and backscatter has an algorithm applied to the entire image.
- The two officers communicate via wireless headset. Once the remotely located officer determines threat items are not present, that officer communicates wirelessly to the officer assisting the passenger. The passenger may then continue through the security process.
- Advanced imaging technology cannot store, print, transmit or save the image.
- Officers evaluating images are not permitted to take cameras, cell phones or photo-enabled devices into the resolution room.
- Each image is automatically deleted from the system after it is cleared by the remotely located security officer.
What to Expect
- Each passenger will walk into the imaging portal. Once inside, they will be asked to stand in different positions and remain still for just a few moments while the technology creates an image of the passenger in real time.
- Once complete, the passenger will exit the opposite side of the portal.
- Advanced imaging technology does not store, print, transmit or save the image. All machines have zero storage capability and all images are automatically deleted from the system after they are reviewed by the remotely located security officer.
What are my Options?
- Advanced imaging technology screening is optional for all passengers.
- Passengers who do not wish to utilize this screening will receive an equal level of screening, including a physical pat-down.
- Multiple signs informing passengers about the technology, including sample images, are displayed in plain sight at the security checkpoints, in front of the advanced imaging units.
- Many passengers prefer advanced imaging technology. In fact, over 98 percent of passengers who encounter this technology during TSA pilots prefer it over other screening options.
- Additionally, passengers with joint replacements or other medical devices that would regularly alarm a metal detector often prefer this technology because it is quicker and less-invasive than a pat down.
Detection
This walk-through imaging technology efficiently detects metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons, explosives and other items that a passenger is carrying on his/her person, without physical contact.
Where It Is
Airports receiving technologies soon:
- Boise Airport
- Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport
- Buffalo Niagara International Airport
- Corpus Christi International Airport
- El Paso International Airport
- Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport
- Harlingen/Valley International Airport
- Houston William P. Hobby Airport
- La Guardia International Airport
- Laredo International Airport
- Lihue Airport
- Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
- McAllen Miller Airport
- Mineta San José International Airport
- Oakland International Airport
- Omaha Eppley Airfield Airport
- Orlando International Airport
- Pittsburgh International Airport
- Reno-Tahoe International Airport
- San Diego International Airport
- Spokane International Airport
- T. F. Green International Airport
Airports who currently have technologies:
- Albuquerque International Sunport Airport
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
- Boston Logan International Airport
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
- Denver International Airport
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
- Detroit Metro Airport
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
- Fort Wayne International Airport
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Indianapolis International Airport
- Jacksonville International Airport
- Kansas City International Airport
- Los Angeles International Airport
- McCarran International Airport
- Miami International Airport
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Port Columbus International Airport
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport
- Richmond International Airport
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
- Salt Lake City International Airport
- San Francisco International Airport
- Tampa International Airport
- Tulsa International Airport
Other Advanced Imaging Technology Deployments
Domestic locations:
- Colorado Springs Court House (CO)
- Cook County Court House (IL)
- Department of Corrections facility (PA)
- Douglas County Colorado Justice Center
- Montana State Prison
- Utah State Correctional Facility
International locations:
Advanced imaging technology is used in hundreds of locations around the world in aviation and mass transit environments, including Canada, France, the Netherlands, Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
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