Bill Overview
Title: Detection at Range Technology for Screening of Passengers Act
Description: This bill requires the Transportation Security Administration to ensure that any advanced imaging technology used for screening aviation passengers consider privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and guidance.
Sponsors: Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-26]
Target Audience
Population: Aviation Passengers worldwide
Estimated Size: 850000000
- The bill focuses on the Transportation Security Administration, which is responsible for the safety of the traveling public in the aviation sector.
- All aviation passengers are potentially impacted by the implementation of screening technologies, especially international travelers.
- The bill emphasizes privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties, which are universal concerns for global travelers regardless of nationality.
- Implementation of advanced imaging technology by TSA is specific to the United States, indicating that US aviation passengers will be directly affected.
- International travelers flying into, out of, or within the United States will also be subject to TSA screening procedures.
Reasoning
- I will simulate interviews with a variety of people including frequent flyers, occasional travelers, those concerned about privacy, and people who may not feel impacted by enhanced imaging technologies.
- Given the budget constraints and scale, not all passengers will experience significant changes, particularly in the short term.
- Advanced imaging technology is primarily impacting people at airports, which means that regular commuters using other forms of transportation might not notice any changes.
- The policy focuses on balancing security with privacy, so people concerned with civil liberties might have diverse opinions on this change.
- The long-term objective is likely to enhance passenger experience by improving processing times and reducing false alarms.
- International travelers might have differing expectations depending on customary security practices in their home countries.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (New York, NY)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the balancing act between security and privacy, but I'm concerned about how effective this new technology actually is at preserving civil liberties.
- In the short term, I may avoid flying if I feel my privacy is unjustifiably compromised.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Travel Blogger (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any change promising faster processing and respect for privacy is welcome.
- I expect the technology to reduce wait times at security, enabling a smoother travel experience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired (Chicago, IL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about the erosion of civil liberties in the name of security.
- I want assurances that my rights will be respected at all points.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Teacher (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm okay with whatever makes travel safer, as long as it's quick and reliable.
- Hope this adds some sense of security when traveling with kids.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Logistics Manager (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The most important thing is efficiency in travel routines without compromising safety.
- I support technologies that streamline processes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Graduate Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 23 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope the new technologies won't be intrusive while maintaining security.
- Privacy is crucial, but I understand security needs in airports.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Medical Professional (Miami, FL)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I need assurance that new imaging technologies are safe for health, especially frequent travelers.
- I prefer technological advancements that have a clear demonstration of safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Small Business Owner (Denver, CO)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this technology promises to expedite my travel, I am all for it, provided it doesn't infringe on privacy.
- Key for frequent domestic travelers is speed and reliability of security checks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Freelance Photographer (Boston, MA)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about how invasive these technologies could be.
- Expect my privacy to be fully respected in line with my rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Retired Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am not very impacted by aviation security changes currently, but I worry about a slippery slope of enhanced surveillance.
- Hope there are regulations ensuring this doesn't overstep civil liberties.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $700000000)
Year 2: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $700000000)
Year 3: $450000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $650000000)
Year 5: $400000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $600000000)
Year 10: $300000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $500000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $300000000)
Key Considerations
- The necessity to balance advanced technology implementation with privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.
- Initial capital expenditure versus long-term operational savings through increased efficiency.
- Impact on passenger throughput and airport operations during the installation and adjustment phase.
- Potential international collaborations and compliance with global aviation security standards.