The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the United States will begin its three-week test today of a new explosives screening device for vehicles and people. The test will take place at the Port Jefferson Ferry Terminal. The device uses “backscatter imaging technology” to check cars trucks and people for explosives before they drive onto the Port Jefferson-Bridgeport Ferry.

Drivers will proceed slowly past a TSA van that will be fitted with the backscatter screening device. The device will capture photo-like images of very high quality. These images will track the vehicle’s cargo and contents. After screening, the drivers will stop for 10-15 seconds while the images are being evaluated by TSA personnel. If explosives are in the vehicle than the driver will be directed to the staging area for additional screening by canine teams.

“Vehicle screening technology is yet another tool that TSA can deploy to respond to threats that arise from new intelligence or as part of major events,” said John Sammon, an Assistant Administrator for the Transportation Sector Network Management office. “This test will allow us to develop a plan for future deployment during times of heightened security threat levels.”