US Rail Stations to Test Heat-Sensing Cameras

US rail stations will soon be equipped with new heat-sensing cameras to spot objects hidden under passenger clothing, in a bid to target terrorist threats.

US security agency, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be the first organisation to use the technology at rail stations across the country, according to USA Today.

The small, portable cameras, which weigh about 45lbs with a 10in camera, work by taking thermal images of passengers.

The camera highlights 'cold' objects such as metals, plastics and ceramics, but does not identify the material. Objects of a certain size in specific locations trigger a red light on a computer monitor, prompting a screener to search the person, the TSA told the paper.

The cameras, which will be used to spot suicide bombers carrying bombs strapped to their bodies, are to be installed at rail stations across the US as part of a test scheme.

But the technology could also result in innocent people being searched if the machines flag benign objects such as wallets and mobile phones, say experts and unions, according to the paper.

By staff writer