Clinton Airport Tests Program to Monitor Lines at Security Checkpoint
By: News Release
Updated: September 25, 2012
As part of an ongoing effort to improve passengers' experience at the TSA Security Checkpoint, Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport is testing a pilot program that monitors the amount of time it takes passengers to go through the entire security screening process.
The system, called "iQueue," is being tested during the next 60 days and detects the Bluetooth function on a passenger's mobile phone to document both when a person enters and exits the checkpoint line. Passengers must have the Bluetooth function on their phones "enabled," in order to be detected by the system.
Clinton National will share findings with TSA, which has oversight of the checkpoint, to determine any additional resources needed to better serve passengers.
"Improving our passengers' travel experience is always a top priority, so we are hopeful this system will give both the airport and TSA a clearer picture of additional steps that may be taken to ensure the screening process is as efficient as possible," said Jim Dailey, chairman of the Little Rock Airport Commission. "We encourage passengers to participate by activating their Bluetooth devices when they go through the line. The more data we receive, the more accurate the system's reporting will be, which may help provide additional screening resources," said Chairman Dailey.
Clinton National is one of the first airports in the country to proactively use this technology specifically to improve the security checkpoint process. Passenger privacy will remain protected. All collected data is encrypted, so the program does not know whose phones are transmitting signals.
If the pilot program proves successful, the Airport Commission will consider purchasing the iQueue system in November. This would allow passengers to access real-time updates on passenger wait times through the airport's website and mobile platforms.
The system, called "iQueue," is being tested during the next 60 days and detects the Bluetooth function on a passenger's mobile phone to document both when a person enters and exits the checkpoint line. Passengers must have the Bluetooth function on their phones "enabled," in order to be detected by the system.
Clinton National will share findings with TSA, which has oversight of the checkpoint, to determine any additional resources needed to better serve passengers.
"Improving our passengers' travel experience is always a top priority, so we are hopeful this system will give both the airport and TSA a clearer picture of additional steps that may be taken to ensure the screening process is as efficient as possible," said Jim Dailey, chairman of the Little Rock Airport Commission. "We encourage passengers to participate by activating their Bluetooth devices when they go through the line. The more data we receive, the more accurate the system's reporting will be, which may help provide additional screening resources," said Chairman Dailey.
Clinton National is one of the first airports in the country to proactively use this technology specifically to improve the security checkpoint process. Passenger privacy will remain protected. All collected data is encrypted, so the program does not know whose phones are transmitting signals.
If the pilot program proves successful, the Airport Commission will consider purchasing the iQueue system in November. This would allow passengers to access real-time updates on passenger wait times through the airport's website and mobile platforms.
