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Airport Technology and Efficiency Improvement Act of 2023
9/24/2024, 10:06 PM
Summary of Bill HR 1648
One key aspect of the bill is the implementation of advanced technology systems at airports to streamline the check-in and security screening processes. This includes the use of biometric identification technology, automated baggage handling systems, and advanced screening equipment to expedite the flow of passengers through security checkpoints.
Additionally, the bill allocates funding for research and development of new technologies that can improve airport operations, such as drone detection systems, advanced weather forecasting tools, and enhanced communication systems for air traffic control. The Airport Technology and Efficiency Improvement Act of 2023 also includes provisions for training airport personnel on the use of new technologies and implementing best practices for efficient airport operations. This will help ensure that airports are equipped to handle the increasing volume of air travel and maintain high levels of safety and security for passengers. Overall, the bill aims to modernize and improve the efficiency of airport operations in the United States, ultimately enhancing the travel experience for passengers and promoting the continued growth of the aviation industry.
Congressional Summary of HR 1648
Airport Technology and Efficiency Improvement Act of 2023
This bill establishes and reauthorizes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant programs to support internet of things and security technologies in airports. (The term internet of things is often used to refer to a system of interrelated devices that are connected to a network and/or to one another and exchange data without necessarily requiring human-to-machine interaction.)
The FAA must establish a new pilot program to provide grants to airports for the acquisition and installation of airport sensor systems, software, and passenger signals that facilitate the modernization of technologies and provide efficiency gains in airports (e.g., shortened security lines, Wi-Fi and Global Positioning System [GPS] upgrades, and use of smart signals in security lines). The FAA must prioritize projects that do not collect facial and biometric data of passengers who are not identified as security threats.
The bill also reauthorizes an FAA grant program to acquire and install qualifying surveillance surface display systems and sensors to secure non-movement areas (the portion of the airfield surface not controlled by air traffic control). The FAA must prioritize projects that use sensors that in low-light and degraded visual conditions can categorize and distinguish between humans, animals, and other objects.
Also, the bill makes light detection and ranging (commonly known as LIDAR) sensors eligible for funding as part of the Department of Transportation's airport terminal development program.
