JERSEY CITY, N.J. (WPIX)—
Before New Jersey commuters can board their train, they will have to go through security first.PATH officials and the Transportation Security Administration have begun a new security screening pilot program on Wednesday which will determine, among other threats, if passengers have explosive devices hidden underneath their clothing. The test period will last one month and end on July 10.
The screening systems uses passive millimeter wave technology. According to train officials, this precaution does not inconvenience passengers or hamper their commute.
The process is non-evasive and requires commuters to walk past a camera that displays an image and indicator. TSA officers will be operating the equipment and if they find an anomaly, where someone has reached a certain threshold, local law enforcement officers will be on hand to investigate the situation further.
Officials say that the technology does not emit any radiation and poses no risk to commuters.
This program is part of the PATH and TSA's joint effort to ensure the safety of passengers by identifying "individuals who seek to do harm to mass transportation systems," according to a Port Authority statement.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the PATH train, was quick to point out that there is no current threat against the New Jersey mass transit system.
The cameras will rotate throughout the PATH system during the one-month trial period.
All passengers who enter a PATH station that is taking part of the program will be subjected to the security screening.
Commuters who do not wish to be part of the screening will have to exit the station and will be directed to a non-participating PATH station.
