Evaluating security screening checkpoints for domestic flights using a general microscopic simulation model

Abstract

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has established a list of items that are prohibited to be taken onboard an airplane. As a consequence passenger lines occasionally exceed into terminal halls, sometimes onto airports’ curbside. Today, the additional wait time and the inconvenience of searches experienced at security screening checkpoints are a matter of continuous concern. The purpose of the present study was to assess operational efficiency of the passenger processing system with a sole emphasis on the screening of passengers and their carry-on baggage. This study sought to define an acceptable wait time threshold, as well as provide general recommendations with respect to screening approach, screening procedures, and screening equipment. In addition, a sensitivity analyses was conducted by means of a general microscopic simulation model to test the impact of screeners’ performance and the effect of prescreening. The measures of effectiveness used in both analyses consist of average wait time, average service time, average queue length, and average throughput rate. It was concluded that significant improvements occur as the portion of passenger that is positively profiled increases, hence levering the pressure on secondary screening. Reduction in queue length, and thus wait time; occurred even at relatively high percentages of random selected passengers.