Airport Electronic Equipment Recycling

Recent news stories have detailed an alarming number of tragic accidents and close calls that demonstrate just how important it is to maintain control of airport traffic at all times. Airport surveillance radar allows air traffic controllers to provide clear and accurate instructions to pilots of aircraft both on the ground and in flight.

While many airports are still using analog airport surveillance radar systems, a new digital ASR is currently in development to replace the older generations. At the same time, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense are currently working on a Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System that displays radar data to air traffic controllers, replacing the previous versions of automated radar terminal systems. Development and testing of ASR is the responsibility of the FAA, which releases upgrades after they have been determined to be safe, effective, and operable.

Since potential terrorists are always trying to come up with new ways to sneak explosives and other harmful agents into airports and onto planes, researchers developing security technologies to detect threats must be similarly diligent. As an additional challenge, these technologies must address passenger concerns about privacy.

A number of body-scanning technologies are currently in use at airports around the country:

Magnetometers

The type of metal detector that most people are familiar with finds concealed metal objects using an electromagnetic field.

X-Ray Imaging

Backscatter machines reflect low-energy x-ray beams off the body, creating a precise image of foreign objects.

Puffer Machines

A device that fell out of favor without being widely implemented, it blows a puff of air onto passengers to dislodge particles that can be collected and analyzed by a scanner for explosives.

Magnetic Imaging  

Millimeter wave technology produces a full-body scan to detect anomalies on the body. Though unable to detect explosives by chemical signature, its ability to identify both metallic and nonmetallic objects of a suspicious nature make it a strong level of security.

Passenger complaints in 2013 led to passage of a federal law restricting body scanners from collecting too much information. As a result, the devices must now be retrofitted with special filtering software to protect passengers’ privacy. Passengers have also raised concerns about the potential of scanners leaking data or photos to the public due to a breach of online security.

In addition to scanning individual passengers, airports also record a great deal of video in the interest of identifying threats and enhancing security. At a minimum, airport video can be stored for 180 days, but with a finite storage capacity, it will have to be disposed of eventually.

In addition to safety and security, airports also include a great deal of computerized technology that is available for the passengers’ convenience. Such electronic conveniences include:

• Baggage claim conveyor belts
• Automated parking systems
• Flight display boards
• Computerized check-in kiosks

When handling airports’ electronics and data, TechWaste complies with all applicable laws, including requirements from the National Security Agency and the Department of Defense. We dispose of electronics in a way that is environmentally responsible as well as safe and secure. For more about specific services we provide, contact us today.