"Airport Security Grants Top $8 Million"

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Airport Security Grants Top $8 Million
Airport Security Report


The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) awarded airports $8.2
million on May 5 to purchase and deploy advanced security technologies
for airport terminals. 

The airports over 12 to 18 months will deploy various technologies,
including vehicle sensors, perimeter sensors and video surveillance to
evaluate their effectiveness in the airport environment. Successful
technologies could see broader deployment, TSA said. 

The awards were the second wave of federal grants to be dispersed for
terminal security technologies. Last December, TSA awarded the first
round of $7.8 million in grants for terminal improvements to eight
airports (see ASR, Jan. 14). 

The original solicitation was extended to accommodate more submittals
after the airport community protested the short application period. The
awards include: 

   * Bert Mooney Airport (BTM) in Butte, Mont., received $800,000 to
purchase and deploy vehicle identification smart sensors that will
profile all incoming vehicles for scrutiny during times of heightened
security, said Rick Griffith, Butte's airport security manager. 

   * Arapahoe Centennial Airport (APA), a general aviation/charter
airport in Colorado, was awarded $977,000 to provide video surveillance
for the terminal building using technology from Object Video. 

   * Elko Regional Airport (EKO) in Nevada received $470,000 to evaluate
its perimeter security system and to assist in the integration of
various sensor technologies. 

   * Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) was awarded $1.4 million
to purchase and deploy an advanced video surveillance system that will
continuously record activities in the terminal. The system is designed
to automatically alarm when there is a security breach. 

   * Miami International Airport (MIA) received $1.2 million to
purchase, deploy and test video surveillance systems that will detect
and track individuals attempting to enter Miami International's sterile
area by bypassing the screening process at the checkpoint or entering
through an exit lane. 

   * McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville, Tenn., was awarded
$666,000 to purchase and deploy technologies to integrate existing
sensors and video systems to respond to threats more effectively and
efficiently. 

   * Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) received $924,000 to
purchase and deploy a Web-based radio frequency identification (RFID)
system to track the location of mobile resources, such as baggage carts
and other vehicles near aircraft. 

   * San Francisco International Airport (SFO) was awarded $484,000 to
purchase and deploy information technology software to upgrade the
existing video surveillance system to better detect persons entering
sterile areas through exit lanes or bypassing checkpoint screening. 

   * Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) received $1.25 million
to purchase, integrate and deploy radar-based technologies to verify a
perimeter breach, and to better protect airport facilities. 

   * Springfield/Branson Regional Airport (SGF) in Missouri was awarded
$63,000 to purchase and deploy smart video surveillance systems to
enhance security for crucial operational facilities


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