The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) is preparing to have all checked luggage screened at Logan International Airport by hiring two firms to design and manage construction of new and expanded baggage areas that will contain additional explosive detection equipment. The design work will commence when the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) finalizes screening requirements for U.S. airports. Due to new federal law, the responsibility for screening baggage has moved from the airlines and the FAA to the newly created TSA. Massport's efforts are in anticipation of having the TSA own and operate the new baggage screening equipment.
To ensure Logan is prepared to have the TSA achieve 100% screening of checked luggage, Massport has selected DMJM+Harris to design the bag screening upgrade and AMEC Construction Management, Inc. to manage the project's eventual construction. While awaiting federal guidelines, DMJM+Harris has begun initial assessments and preliminary work reviewing Massport facilities and existing explosive detection equipment.
Over the past ten years, DMJM+Harris and AMEC have done similar work for the world's top airports including Heathrow Airport, JFK International Airport and San Francisco International Airport. The project timeline will depend on the TSA and may not be disclosed due to security concerns.
The firms also will do screening design and construction work at the two other airports operated by Massport, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport, and the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal.
Logan continues to lead the nation with several security enhancements and pilot programs, including the use of handheld computers for passenger background checks, devices that spot false passports and drivers licenses, community policing in passenger terminals, and facial recognition technology at checkpoints. In addition, Massport is working with the TSA on the use of behavior pattern recognition, a form of intelligent profiling that will ease travel delays and hassles and focus on identifying real threats.
In January 2002, Massport hosted a two-day infrastructure security seminar with 100 participants from nearly 20 U.S. airports, the FAA, and several construction and security firms. The seminar focused on incorporating developing federally mandated security initiatives in the design and construction of existing and new airport facilities.