A traveller flying out of Pittsburgh International Airport inserts her passport into the CAT unit as the TSA officer views the monitor, which will indicate whether the ID is valid. Credit: TSA.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has started to use new technology to authenticate the identification of travellers at Pittsburgh International Airport in the US.

It also confirms the flight information of the traveller.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

The airport has been equipped with four new credential authentication technology (CAT) units.

TSA federal security director for Pittsburgh International Airport Karen Keys-Turner said: “Credential authentication technology enhances our detection capabilities for identifying altered or fraudulent documents such as driver’s licenses and passports at checkpoints and increases efficiency by automatically verifying passenger identification.

“The system will also confirm the passenger’s flight status in near real-time through a secured connection.”

The CAT unit will scan the traveller’s ID, which will then inform the officer of the ID’s validity. As the passenger inserts the ID, there is a reduced chance of spreading the Covid-19 coronavirus.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The unit also checks if the passenger has been pre-screened by the airline agent, meaning that passengers will not have to produce their flight boarding passes again.

Passengers who are below the age of 18 and those who face ID issues will have to show their boarding passes.

The technology is aimed at boosting the security personnel’s capabilities to identify the use of fake documents at the security area.

The CAT units can verify different types of ID, including passports, military common access cards and retired military ID cards.

Each CAT unit features an ID card reader, passport reader and a federal personal identity verification ID card reader, as well as a monitor, stand and UV light.

In February, TSA deployed CAT units at Boston Logan International Airport.