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Enhancing Airport Security: Transformative Role of AI Across the Industry

ACRP Periodic Report on Transformative Technologies at Airports
- June 17, 2024

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into airport security systems marks a transformative leap forward, empowering authorities with new capabilities to anticipate, detect, and respond to potential risks swiftly and efficiently. From AI-driven surveillance and predictive analytics to biometric authentication and automated screening, these advanced technologies bolster security infrastructure and enhance the travel experience for millions of passengers worldwide. While these are the systems of the future, many are readily available today. This article describes three of the top use cases for airport operators to consider implementing.

Use Cases

AI-enhanced Secure Access Monitoring and Threat Identification

Airports have numerous secured areas under constant camera surveillance, but issues can arise when security personnel experience fatigue after monitoring cameras for prolonged periods. AI can provide valuable support by continuously monitoring secure locations for any signs of movement or breaches, as well as promptly alerting the relevant authorities or users upon detection.

An industry example of this technology in use can be found at Punta Gorda Airport (PGD).[1] PGD has adopted an AI-based secure access monitoring system that seamlessly integrates with their existing access control system and security cameras. PGD, a smaller airport with limited staff resources, employs this AI-based monitoring system to automatically identify instances of “piggybacking” or “tailgating” at secure entrances throughout the airport. This has significantly improved PGD’s accuracy in identifying incidents and reduced the need for round-the-clock staffing. As a result, PGD can accurately pinpoint cases of unauthorized access and streamline their incident reporting to TSA and other relevant stakeholders.

AI-powered video analytics can also analyze real-time crowd behavior, individual behavior, unauthorized area access, and loitering. These systems learn over time, becoming more efficient at distinguishing risks from normal behavior. Likewise, these AI-enabled systems can link into other data sets—such as access control systems, biometric identification databases, and flight information—which further informs their judgments about possible risks.

One large company has a system available for airport deployment that can analyze human behavior and alert guards of anything suspicious. On their website, they describe the system as follows: “Cameras scan people or vehicles in a crowd for motions that appear abnormal, such as walking in the wrong direction on an escalator or stopping a car at an unusual place. Alarms can also trigger the cameras to automatically track the object of interest and dynamically adjust the field of view, providing visual information to the control room.”[2]

AI-integrated Bag Scanning

AI-integrated bag scanning is a technology solution that enables AI to directly interface with x-ray and CT scanners, taking on the role of scanning baggage for potential threats without requiring human operators. A well-trained AI model can outperform humans in terms of speed and accuracy when it comes to detecting dangerous items. AI bag scanning is gaining traction in several European airports. One primary driver behind the adoption of AI bag scanning is to mitigate errors that may occur due to human operators monitoring screens for extended durations,[3] akin to the value provided by secure access monitoring.

An example of this is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), which has tested the use of AI with CT scanners to scan baggage in real time.[4] While exact features and implementations have not yet been disclosed, AMS is actively testing this technology on a small scale, looking to verify its viability before adopting it fully.

Gunshot Sound Detection

The ability to swiftly identify when a gunshot has occurred—including differentiating it from other loud noises—is essential to the safety of airport staff and travelers. There is a growing number of systems capable of accurately identifying the sound of a gunshot in real time, even in crowded areas. These systems swiftly record and pinpoint the source of the shot within seconds and promptly alert law enforcement agencies. Some systems can even be integrated with AI-based intelligent video analytics to capture images and track a perpetrator’s movements throughout the building. This real-time tracking provides law enforcement with up-to-the-minute information about a suspect’s location, aiding in rapid response and apprehension.

Charleston International Airport (CHS) has one example of such a deployment. In an Airport Improvement article, representatives from the airport and the solution provider describe how they deployed the solution for CHS’s pre-security areas. According to the solution provider’s CEO, “Our system takes confusion and human panic out of the loop by digitizing everything and quickly getting information out to security personnel and police, as well as passengers.”[5] Other examples of airports implementing similar solutions include Los Angeles International Airport,[6] Columbus Airport,[7] and West Virginia International Yeager Airport.[8]

State and Federal Barriers

Although these technologies are quite promising, they could potentially come with legal challenges. Several U.S. states and other countries have considered restrictions or bans on AI-based monitoring solutions. Airport operators should coordinate closely with legal staff as they procure AI solutions, especially those that impact passenger data and biometrics. It is hard to predict how the regulation of AI may impact its use for airport operators in the future. It will be important for airport operators to stay up to date on their state’s discussion of AI, along with any future policy updates.

Conclusion

While AI is starting to be used by airport operators in various use cases, operators likely still do not understand the full impact that AI deployments will have on the airport environment. AI tools are improving rapidly, and new use cases may form quickly within the industry. To stay ahead of potential threats and to further enhance safety and security measures, airport operators need to remain vigilant and continue monitoring the industry for emerging AI trends and security solutions.

References

[1] Aviation and Transportation, Hakimo, Accessed August 2023, https://www.hakimo.ai/industries/aviation-and-transportation.

[2] Airport Security Solutions to Manage Incidents, Support the Business, and Improve Security, “Video Analysis to Detect Suspicious Activity,” Bosch, Accessed August 2023, https://www.boschsecurity.com/us/en/industries/airports/#solutions.

[3] AI Bag Scanner Is Faster and More Accurate than Airport Staff, NoCamels, Jeffay, John, April 23, 2023, https://nocamels.com/2023/04/ai-bag-scanner-is-faster-and-more-accurate-than-airport-staff/.

[4] Schiphol Partners Pangiam to Explore AI for Baggage Screening, Airport Technology, March 14, 2023, https://www.airport-technology.com/news/schiphol-partners-pangiam-baggage-screening/.

[5] Charleston Int’l Blankets Pre-Security Areas with Gunshot Detection Sensors, Airport Improvement, Wendt, Ronnie L., May–June 2019, https://airportimprovement.com/article/charleston-int-l-blankets-pre-security-areas-gunshot-detection-sensors.

[6] SDS to Deploy Shooter Detection System at Los Angeles Airport, Airport Technology, April 24, 2019, http://www.airport-technology.com/news/shooter-detection-los-angeles-airport/.

[7] Columbus Airport to Perform Live Emergency Gunshot Detection Exercise, Columbus Airport, Overton, Sonya, September 6, 2022, https://www.flycolumbusga.com/columbus-airport-to-perform-live-emergency-gunshot-detection-exercise/.

[8] Grant Allows Yeager to Install Gunshot Detection System, More Security Cameras, AviationPros, Steelhammer, Rick, October 8, 2021, https://www.aviationpros.com/airports/news/21241548/grant-allows-yeager-to-install-gunshot-detection-system-more-security-cameras.


Header photo by Eric Prouzet on Unsplash, modified by Barich Inc.

This series of articles highlights the innovation approaches taken by various airports across the United States. These articles are based on interviews with innovation leaders at each airport.