The automated screening lane (ASL) technology recently expanded at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

Passengers departing from IAH can now expect to see automated screening lanes in Terminal E, in addition to Terminal D, which were installed earlier this year.The automated screening lanes incorporate enhanced capabilities at the airport security checkpoint while improving the passenger experience.

The lanes enhance overall security effectiveness by using technology to better track passenger property throughout the screening process. They also increase both operational efficiency and the passenger experience by automating some of the functions that were previously done manually.”

The automated screening lanes are designed to enhance the security process, and passengers will immediately notice the following:

• Passengers now have their own area to divest personal items for placement in bins, which allows them to move at their own pace.
• Conveyor belts automatically return bins to the front of the divesting area for passengers, which allows TSA officers to remain focused on detecting threats rather than moving bins to the front of the queue.
• A second conveyor belt automatically separates items that pass inspection from those that require a secondary check.

Using the new ASLs helps make the screening process more efficient by using automation technology and features such as:

• Unique Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags attached to each bin that allows for additional accountability of items throughout the system.
• Cameras that take a photo of the outside of the bag, which is attached to the X-ray image of the bags contents.
• Bags with potential threats can be pulled to a separate area to allow bins behind it to continue through the system. 
• “Scan guns” at secondary screening tables that allow officers to scan RFID tags on the bins to quickly pull up images of the bags to expedite the screening process