San Jose Mineta International Airport has completed a $2.5 million project adding new technology designed to strengthen security around the airport’s perimeter. The project includes new cameras, radar and heavy-duty bi-fold vehicle gates. It was funded through a grant from the Transportation Security Administration.
Patti Singh, the Assistant Director of Aviation for SJC, said the improvements are not in response to any specific security risk, but are part of the airport’s efforts to continue keeping passengers and staff safe. “And this is also a great example of what can happen when we work together,” Singh said “Airport security is a team effort.”
One of the new features is a radar pan-tilt-zoom camera, which can move while tracking an individual. Brian Hamilton, the Assistant Federal Security Director for Screening for TSA, said aviation security extends beyond security checkpoints and includes the entire airport and its perimeter. “These systems help security personnel detect potential threats earlier, assess them more quickly and coordinate an appropriate response,” said Hamilton
Hamilton also demonstrated how the heavy-duty bi-fold vehicle gate operates. The gate is designed to open and close quickly, taking about seven to eight seconds. “It helps prevent unauthorized access, reduces the risk of security breaches, protect the terminal areas, protects the aircraft movement areas,” said Hamilton.
Hamilton said LiDAR cameras are another security feature being installed at airports. The technology uses light to detect movement, although LiDAR is not installed as part of the project at San José Mineta International Airport. The airport says the new technology is intended to improve perimeter monitoring and situational awareness as part of its ongoing security efforts
