Primary Screening for Passengers

As air travel rebounds to pre-pandemic levels, the TSA is under increasing pressure to screen more passengers for a wider range of threats—quickly and accurately. DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate is stepping up with advanced screening technologies that reduce false alarms, speed up checkpoints, and minimize the need for physical searches. Innovations like handheld screening wands, shoe scanners, and self-screening systems are designed to boost security while enhancing the traveler experience. These tools reflect a broader effort to align security measures with passenger flow, efficiency, and comfort.