TSA Rolls Out New Technology for Verifying Travel Documents
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The Transportation Security Administration has begun a test program to electronically verify travel documents at security checkpoints. The roll out began last week at Washington Dulles International Airport.
Travelers have become used to having their boarding passes and identification checked by TSA agents. Still, a new technology, known as Credential Authentication Technology – Boarding Pass Scanning Systems (CAT-BPSS), will scan a passenger’s boarding pass and photo ID, and then automatically verify and match the names provided on both documents and then authenticate the boarding pass. If there’s a discrepancy, a TSA agent will inspect the documents.
The technology also identifies altered or fraudulent photo IDs by analyzing and comparing security features embedded in the IDs.
Each selected airport will receive a total of six detection units, so not all passenger documents at those airports will be subjected to the scans.
TSA said it will expand the deployment schedule following successful implementation and testing in the selected airports. The technology will also be tested at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Puerto Rico’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in the coming weeks.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio