X-ray image analysis training system to help improve aviation security
the instant feedback TSOs receive after sessions. Trainers can help walk through deficiencies with trainees in a way that has made officers at every level more effective. This feedback is based on ScreenADAPT’s eye-tracking ability to show where and how long someone is looking at the X-ray images. That is a major advantage, Wesolowski shared.
In addition, ScreenADAPT allows a coach or supervisor to have a more hands-on approach to training. The program can automatically adapt to give trainees more training on the threats they miss the most. For example, if TSOs are missing guns, more guns are inserted into the training.
“The ability for ScreenADAPT to tailor to threats the officer is missing most, allows that officer to build a larger image library in their mind,” said Wesolowski. “Threat items become easier for the officers to identify, increasing their detection rate. Having a bigger mental image library “Once the session is complete, the coach or supervisor has the ability to review the session with the officer in one-on-one sessions,” added Wesolowski. Trainers can take a much more personalized approach with individual officers, said Wesolowski. This approach has also led to better communication between TSOs and trainers.
“During that time, the coach or supervisor can have a conversation about the importance of being able to articulate why you called for a bag check,” explained Wesolowski. “When an officer can articulate what they are perceiving as a threat item, they feel more confident in the bags they are pulling to be checked.”
PDX has been so pleased with the resulting performance improvements since implementing ScreenADAPT® that Portland leadership has sent the machines to its smaller, spoke airports.
TSO performance at Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport has also seen a marked improvement since using ScreenADAPT.
“Before, we’d struggle to understand the mistakes we were making,” said M. Alex Hemingway, TSO and instructor in Medford. “But now knowing where we’re looking in a bag, the training has become far more effective.”
Hemingway said ScreenADAPT’s individualized training that tailors the type of threats and level of difficultly to the user is especially beneficial.
“If you’re amazing at knives, why take time doing knife sessions?” said Hemingway. “Training becomes far more effective when it’s tailored to your weaknesses.”
Overall, the implementation of ScreenADAPT has been very successful and is helping harden aviation security at airport checkpoints all over Oregon.
“All it takes is a couple sessions to see where I’m making mistakes, and this knowledge I can take with me out onto the floor,” said Hemingway.
