TSA test to screen for explosives on moving railcar

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin screening passengers and baggage traveling on Connecticut's Shoreline East commuter rail as part of the third stage of a pilot program testing rail security measures. Passengers boarding from one of eight Shoreline East stations may pass through a specialized railcar equipped with on-board screening technology as the train is in motion. The goal of phase III of the Transit and Rail Inspection Pilot (TRIP) is to evaluate the use of existing technologies to screen passengers and their baggage for explosives while the train car is in motion. "This is another step in the process of identifying potential tools to improve security for the millions of Americans who travel by rail every day," said Department of Homeland Security's Asa Hutchinson. Passengers will have their tickets or other document placed in a machine that will do an analysis to determine if traces of explosives are present. TSA screeners will also conduct an X-ray examination of carry-on bags. The pilot program will mark the first attempt to screen passengers while in motion.