As part of its ongoing commitment to take smart steps to maintain high level security standards while also improving the passenger experience at checkpoints, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole has announced that TSA will begin installing new software on TSA’s millimetre wave advanced imaging technology (AIT) machines—making upgrades designed to enhance privacy by eliminating passenger-specific images.

The software, also referred to as automated target recognition (ATR), will auto-detect items that could pose a potential threat using a generic outline of a person for all passengers. In the coming months, TSA will install the software upgrade on all currently deployed millimetre wave imaging technology units at US airports nationwide.

By eliminating the image of an actual passenger and replacing it with a generic outline of a person, passengers are able to view the same outline that the TSA officer sees. Further, a separate TSA officer will no longer be required to view the image in a remotely located viewing room. In addition to further enhancing privacy protections, this new software will increase the efficiency of the screening process and expand the throughput capability of AIT.

“Our top priority is the safety of the traveling public, and TSA constantly strives to explore and implement new technologies that enhance security and strengthen privacy protections for the travelling public,” TSA Administrator John Pistole said.

The software automatically detects potential threats and indicates their location on a generic, computer-generated outline of a person that appears on a monitor attached to the AIT unit. As with the current version of AIT, if a potential threat is detected, the area will require additional screening. If no potential threats are detected, an “OK” appears on the monitor with no outline, and the passenger is cleared.

In February 2011, TSA successfully tested the new software at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Las Vegas McCarran International and Ronald Reagan Washington National airports. Currently, there are nearly 500 imaging technology units at 78 airports nationwide, including millimetre wave and backscatter units, with additional units planned for deployment this year.