The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began testing new software yesterday (Feb. 1, 2011) at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport on its advanced imaging technology (AIT) machines that will go a long way in assuaging privacy concerns about full-body scanners.

The software patch allows the computer rather than the human operator to evaluate the scanned image, and the software then eliminates passenger-specific images. If any potential threats are detected, it will show the location of the threat on a generic outline of a person. If no threats are detected, it won’t even show the generic outline and will simply display an “OK.”

TSA ATR Body Scanner generic image

Two additional airports—Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)—are scheduled to receive the new software for their AIT machines in the next few days.

“We are always looking for new technology and procedures that will both enhance security while strengthening privacy protections,” said TSA administrator John Pistole, in a statement. “Testing this new software will help us confirm test results that indicate it can provide the same high level of security as current advanced imaging technology units while further enhancing the privacy protections already in place.”

With this updated software, the TSA does not need to have an officer in a separate room viewing the images, since they will now be displayed on a monitor that is attached to the AIT unit in public view, so passengers and TSA staff can both see exactly what is being shown.

The testing should help the TSA find out whether the software is effective in detecting threats without violating passengers’ privacy.

Of the 500 odd machines already deployed at airports nationwide, many are millimeter wave AIT units while others are backscatter units. The machines and software used in the test are the millimeter wave AIT units from L-3 Communications—ProVision ATD or ProVision with Automated Target Recognition (ATR).

The TSA plans to test similar software on backscatter units in the future. A similar solution (Secure 1000 Single Pose with ClearPass ATR) from Rapiscan Systems, Inc., is set to debut in mid-2011, for which the TSA has awarded Rapiscan a $25 million contract.

Photos – TSA blog