Transportation Security Administration screening instructor Valerie Hammes, left, inserts an identification card for scanning as a new temporary photo is taken of TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein while they demonstrate new traveler identification technology during a media event at West Virginia International Yeager Airport in Charleston Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024.
John Allen, the Transportation Security AdministrationÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s federal security director for West Virginia, speaks about the new travelerÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s identification technology during a media event at West VirginiaÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s International Yeager Airport in Charleston Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024.
Transportation Security Administration screening instructor Valerie Hammes, left, inserts an identification card for scanning as a new temporary photo is taken of TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein while they demonstrate new traveler identification technology during a media event at West Virginia International Yeager Airport in Charleston Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024.
John Allen, the Transportation Security AdministrationÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s federal security director for West Virginia, speaks about the new travelerÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s identification technology during a media event at West VirginiaÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s International Yeager Airport in Charleston Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024.
With the help of facial recognition technology, the process of clearing the security checkpoints at West Virginia International Yeager Airport and HuntingtonÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Tri-State Airport has become quicker and more precise.
The face screening and other instant identification technology is being implemented by the Transportation Security Administration.
The newest generation of Credential Authentication Technology is now in use at the stateÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s two largest airports and is expected to be installed next year at BeckleyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Raleigh County Memorial Airport and at the North Central West Virginia Airport at Bridgeport/Clarksburg.
The new camera-equipped CAT-2 units produce real-time photos of the faces of passengers entering security checkpoints, which are automatically compared with photos on travelersÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ driverÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s licenses or passport photos.
The CAT-2 units contain a ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œlibraryÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ of 2,500 different types of TSA-accepted IDs programmed into them for use in authentication.
By using ultraviolet light to highlight official watermarks while precisely measuring the lettering, photo size and other components of driverÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s licenses and passports, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œthis technology enhances detection capabilities for identifying fraudulent documents at the security checkpoint,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ said John C. Allen, the TSAÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s security director for West Virginia.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a game changer in technology,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Allen said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe can now use facial characteristic algorithms to match passengers with their IDs. It raises security to another level.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The CAT-2 units also increase efficiency by automatically verifying a passengerÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s identification and instantly matching the passengerÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s name with a flight reservation that day for the airport where the screening takes place, eliminating the need to display boarding passes before entering checkpoints.
Once passengers clear security checkpoints they will still need to bring their boarding passes to their departure gate to show airline representatives before boarding flights.
Photos captured by CAT-2 units are never stored or used for purposes other than immediate identity verification and are deleted after use, according to the TSA. Travelers not wanting to take part in the facial recognition process can opt out in favor of an alternative identity verification process.
More than 800 of the CAT-2 units are in use at airports across the country, with more being added regularly, according to the TSA.
Brent Brown, director of the Huntington Tri-State Airport, told HD ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ in a message they were given a CAT unit, used to scan IDs, about 18 months ago. He said the airport received the CAT-2 unit that utilizes facial recognition six months ago and so far, it has worked out ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œvery well.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s much more efficient and has improved the overall wait time for passengers going through the checkpoint,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Brown said.
Rick Steelhammer is a features reporter. He can be reached at 304-348-5169 or rsteelhammer@hdmediallc.com. Follow @ on Twitter.
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