TSA gives green light to test new technology that can screen passengers from 25 feet
Nov 3, 2018, 10:48 am
#1
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TSA gives green light to test new technology that can screen passengers from 25 feet
Passive Terahertz Screening
Seems I remember a similar device several tears back but TSA was screening people who had not entered the screening area. I don't understand how a device like this will get a 360° view of passengers but do support efforts to keep TSA's grubby paws off of travelers.
The Transportation Security Administration has given the go-ahead to test technology that is designed to screen multiple airport passengers at the same time from a distance of up to 25 feet away.
Nov 3, 2018, 3:12 pm
#4
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Originally Posted by Los Angeles Times
This summer, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that it planned to use Thruvision’s scanners to help prevent terrorist attacks in the system’s 93 subway and light-rail stations.
The New York Times:
Starting in Los Angeles, Body Scanners Come to Subways and Buses
<snip>
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced it would be the first to fully commit to them, saying they will be used starting this year to screen riders without revealing their anatomy and without forcing them to line up or stop walking.
<snip>
Officials in Los Angeles cautioned on Tuesday that riders need not worry about the technology. It will not result in the sort of security nightmare common at airports or even sporting events, they said. The portable screening devices will “quickly and unobtrusively” screen people, detecting suspicious items from 30 feet away and scanning more than 2,000 passengers per hour, they said.
<snip>
In Los Angeles, the devices themselves resemble the sort of black laminate cases that musicians lug around on tour, not upright metal detectors. The machines, which are on wheels and cost about $100,000 each, can be pointed in the direction of riders as they come down an escalator or into a station. They use technology that examines the naturally occurring waves produced by a person’s body. The technology, manufactured by Thruvision, does not emit radiation, officials added.
<snip>
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced it would be the first to fully commit to them, saying they will be used starting this year to screen riders without revealing their anatomy and without forcing them to line up or stop walking.
<snip>
Officials in Los Angeles cautioned on Tuesday that riders need not worry about the technology. It will not result in the sort of security nightmare common at airports or even sporting events, they said. The portable screening devices will “quickly and unobtrusively” screen people, detecting suspicious items from 30 feet away and scanning more than 2,000 passengers per hour, they said.
<snip>
In Los Angeles, the devices themselves resemble the sort of black laminate cases that musicians lug around on tour, not upright metal detectors. The machines, which are on wheels and cost about $100,000 each, can be pointed in the direction of riders as they come down an escalator or into a station. They use technology that examines the naturally occurring waves produced by a person’s body. The technology, manufactured by Thruvision, does not emit radiation, officials added.
<snip>
Nov 3, 2018, 5:41 pm
#5
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"... but do support efforts to keep TSA's grubby paws off of travelers."
Fat chance. Once they got the green light to do this to people there was no turning back, irrespective of any brave new scanner devices.
Remember, the psychological control over people in airports is as important as the "security" measures, once you peel back all the theatrics.
Fat chance. Once they got the green light to do this to people there was no turning back, irrespective of any brave new scanner devices.
Remember, the psychological control over people in airports is as important as the "security" measures, once you peel back all the theatrics.
Nov 3, 2018, 6:06 pm
#6
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Awkward position for TSA. They certainly don't want to say that LA's hands-off processes aren't good enough, but if they admit that LA's set-up does the job, then they should have to explain why they haven't upgraded - starting, of course, with the largest and busiest airports.
Nov 3, 2018, 7:19 pm
#7
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The aura detectors sound really jiffy, but something tells me that this new tech will make the puffer machines look like modern miracles. They were quickly removed because they didn't work wherever there was dust (which is everywhere) and/or farts.
Nov 4, 2018, 6:19 pm
#8
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Electronic devices emit radiation, and these devices do too.
Human bodies emit radiation too.
The kind of radiation emitted is different as is the possible impact of such radiation on animal tissue.
Human bodies emit radiation too.
The kind of radiation emitted is different as is the possible impact of such radiation on animal tissue.
Nov 6, 2018, 2:32 pm
#9
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what a magnificent typo!
the first words of the answer will probably be something about Congressional appropriations and the DHS budget ...
the first words of the answer will probably be something about Congressional appropriations and the DHS budget ...
Nov 6, 2018, 4:13 pm
#10
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Not sure I want to spend however many $Billion every time there is an upgrade available in technology.
In any event, the question is whether the technology works in the airport environment. If it does, seems that anything which eliminates the individual scanning process is a good thing. But, it's not as though one checks a couple of these machines for 2-3 days, kicks the tires and then signs a check.
Nov 7, 2018, 9:25 am
#11
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FWIW, the device in question appears to be the ThruVision TAC.
Nov 9, 2018, 7:42 am
#13
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FWIW, the device in question appears to be the ThruVision TAC.