RFID Access Control: TSA Announces 8 Airports Participating in an Access Control Pilot ...

From U.S. Newswire (press release), DC ... eight airports have been selected to participate in TSA's Access Control Pilot Program which will test Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, Anti ...

TSA will select airports and technologies for the program. Biometric technologies, possibly including fingerprints, retinal (iris) scans, and facial recognition, are expected to be part of the mix. So are next-generation surveillance cameras that could be used at access points for secure areas to guard against a second person slipping into a secure area on the heels of someone with proper credentials. Technologies in the program could also contribute to a Transportation Worker Identification Card, which is being developed and is expected to be used by millions of workers across all forms of transportation.

The Aviation and Transportation Security Act mandated that the "Administrator shall establish pilot program in no fewer than 20 airports to test and evaluate new and emerging technology for providing access control and other security protections for closed or secure areas of the airports. Such technology may include biometric or other technology that ensures only authorized access to secure areas."

Access to airport controlled areas must be secured and the physical security of aircraft must be ensured. Revision of the basic code of federal regulations for airport and air carrier security published in the Federal Register on August 1 1997 will include strengthening access controls and aircraft security. Research has begun on more efficient and effective use of existing perimeter and sensitive area surveillance systems. The FAA is conducting research on radio frequency identification tags that could possibly assist in tracking checked baggage movement in secure areas of the airport.