The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun testing new bomb detection technology at Penn Station in New York.
US Senator Charles Schumer previously stated last year following a failed subway terror attack that TSA possesses technology that could help detect suicide vests or other strapped-to-the-body explosive devices before detonation.
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However, the technology had yet to undergo official testing in New York City.
Schumer said: “When I made the push to bring this technology to New York City, it was because we need to put it on the fast-track and we need to perfect it, because if it works, this is where we want it: in New York City’s busiest transit hubs.”
The initiative follows an incident last December that saw a terrorist detonate a concealed explosive device in the city subway.
The blast left the perpetrator seriously injured without causing any other casualties.
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By GlobalDataAccording to TSA, the new screening system is known as ‘Stand Off Explosive Detection Technology’ and is intended to assist security officials in detecting hidden explosives.
The technology is able to detect the presence of a potential threat object as an individual passes by the device by assessing naturally occurring emissions from the human body.
The solution can be used by transport agencies to thwart any potential threats in subways and train stations.
TSA has been developing the technology since 2004 in collaboration with various transit agencies such as Amtrak and the New Jersey Transit.
Stand Off Explosive Detection Technology has already been used to secure large-scale events, though to date the system has not been utilised at transit hubs.
