The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate have partnered on a prize-driven challenge that seeks to improve the efficiency of the airport experience.
The Power of Passengers Challenge invites “innovators and citizen inventors” to submit their ideas on areas in which the TSA could improve. The challenge focuses on five key aspects of the terminal experience: situational/operational awareness; security screenings; passenger arrivals; international arrival transfers; and COVID-19 recovery. The prompts are designed to give the organizers a better understanding of both the current state of the traveler’s experience and the kinds of changes the traveling public would like to see in an elevated airport experience.
“TSA is looking harness new approaches and innovations from other industries to improve overall security effectiveness, operational efficiency, and passenger experience,” says the organization on the challenge website. “The challenge invites innovators and citizen investors to submit responses with approaches or innovations that can re-envision how the TSA generates, interprets and uses data to improve security, efficiency, and passenger experience.”
Proposals will be assessed for one of three cash prizes in each category. The winning innovation in each area will receive $25,000; second place will receive $20,000; and third-placing contestants will win $15,000. In addition to the monetary incentives, winning innovators will be considered for business partnerships and mentorships.
For more information on the challenge, visit the website. To enter, click here.
