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2
Methodology
The Panel on Passenger Screening developed this report based on: (1) committee meetings and technical literature provided to the committee by the FAA and the National Research Council (NRC) staff, (2) presentations by outside experts who briefed the panel on specific passenger screening technologies and implementation and operational issues, and (3) a workshop on passenger screening during which several outside organizations presented their views and concerns. Panel members were also invited to meetings of the NRC Committee on Aviation Security, which oversaw this study, to hear presentations by experts on various aspects of passenger screening technologies, explosives detection systems, and security issues concerning both passengers and baggage. The panel membership included experts in human factors, risk perception and psychology, imaging science, electrical engineering, chemical detection, health effects of radiation, and legal issues.
PANEL MEETINGS
The panel conducted five meetings between February and September 1995 to gather information used in developing this report. In preparation for these meetings, the panelists received technical and nontechnical literature on various aspects of passenger screening technologies for their review and consideration. Information was provided by the FAA and by outside experts, who are listed in table 2-1.
WORKSHOP ON PASSENGER SCREENING
The panel held the Workshop on New Technologies for Passenger Screening to gain a broader perspective on health, privacy, comfort, and other concerns regarding passenger screening from organizations interested in air travel safety. The workshop was held on June 3, 1995, at the NRC Georgetown facilities in Washington, D.C. Panel members, FAA staff, and representatives of other organizations participated in the workshop (see table 2-2). These representatives also provided the panel with written comments contained in appendix B.
At the workshop, the panel members discussed passenger screening issues (particularly issues related to health and privacy) with representatives of professional associations and interest groups. The panel considered the contributions of workshop participants excellent and useful. However, screening technologies were discussed only in general, and the
TABLE 2-1 Speakers and Topics Presented to the Panel on Passenger Screening
Speaker | Affiliation | Topic |
Douglas Smith | U.S. Customs Service | Technology for contraband detection |
Art Janata | Pacific Northwest Laboratories | Chemical sensor options |
Nicholas Virca | Nicolet Imaging Systems | Technology of the Secure 1000 |
Dale Murray | Sandia National Laboratories | Electromagnetic portal technology |
Dan Issacharoff | Consultant | Risk analysis system used by El Al |
Ray Smietan | U.S. Department of Justice | Department of Defense/Department |
of Justice weapons detection program | ||
James Fobes | FAA | FAA human factors program |
Paul Jankowski | FAA | FAA research and development |
Frank Fox | FAA | FAA in-house research and development |
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TABLE 2-2 Organizations at the Workshop on New Technologies for Passenger Screening
Organization | Representative |
Air Transport Association of America (Washington, D.C.) | S. Rork |
Airport Law Enforcement Agents Network (Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Texas) | A. Dodson |
American Association of Airport Executives (Alexandria, Va.) | A. Graser |
Airports Council International North America (Washington, D.C.) | A. Graser |
American Civil Liberties Union (Washington, D.C.) | D. Haines |
Association of Flight Attendants (Washington, D.C.) | M. Leith |
Aviation Consumer Action Project (Washington, D.C.) | G. Frankosky |
ITS, a provider of airport security personnel and services (Cleveland, Ohio) | S. Dennison |
Regional Airline Association (Washington, D.C.) | D. McElroy |
Organizations invited but not attending: |
opinions of the participants should be used as a starting point for investigating concerns about specific technologies. In addition, these opinions may not be typical of opinions held by all professional associations, interest groups, or the public. A summary and analysis of the workshop are presented in chapter 8 of this report.
It was evident from discussions at the workshop that data is needed on public opinion regarding the implementation of passenger-screening technologies. Little is known even about public attitudes toward the implementation of current systems. Public opinion will certainly influence the successful deployment of new screening technologies. Therefore, it is important to determine potential public attitudes toward proposed screening technologies before implementation.
SUMMARY
To address the issues outlined in the report, the Panel on Passenger Screening relied on the expertise of panel members and on input from various other sources. These sources included airport and air carrier personnel and organizations and individuals concerned with both the safe operation of aircraft and the interests of the traveling public.