TSA Issues Updated Airport Security Design Guidelines

After 18 months of collaboration with the private sector, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued revised Recommended Security Guidelines for Airport Planning, Design and Construction (pdf format: 6.3MB) to the airport industry, providing guidance on subjects encompassing airport layout, security screening, emergency response, access control and communications.

The team that produced the revised edition comprises 10 government agencies and approximately 135 private sector experts in a wide variety of security, aviation and architectural disciplines. All experts contributed their time and talent free of charge through the Airport Security Design Guidelines Working Group of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC).

“Since the September 11 attacks, many lessons have been learned concerning aviation and airport security,” said John Sammon, TSA Assistant Administrator for Transportation Sector Network Management and ASAC Chairman. “New procedures have been adopted, new technologies have been identified and are emerging, and new agencies have been created to protect the United States against future terrorist attacks. This document reflects the importance and success of public-private partnership, as well as the integral role security plays in future airport design plans.”

TSA will continue to coordinate with the airport industry to periodically update the guidelines, and has established an email address, asdg-comment@dhs.gov, to receive comments and suggestions from experts and the public.

The previous edition of the Recommended Security Guidelines document was developed under the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Civil Aviation Security, Policy and Planning, and the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center and issued in June 2001, just three months before the September 11 attacks.

TSA, created on Nov. 19, 2001, has the responsibility and authority to oversee the implementation, and ensure the adequacy, of security measures at airports and other transportation facilities. Congress has directed TSA, in consultation with air carriers, airport authorities and others, to develop guidelines for airport design and construction to allow for maximum security enhancement. TSA asked ASAC to host this working group to facilitate consultation with knowledgeable and experienced experts in the fields of airport design, airport construction, and airport security to assist TSA in updating the Airport Security Design Guidelines. The working group was authorized by ASAC in September 2004, first met in December 2004, and returned its final product to ASAC in May 2006.

TSA