BWI Airport Embraces LiDAR To Enforce Social Distancing 

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) has welcomed in the new year with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology informing travelers at one security checkpoint whether they’re properly social distancing, according to Airport World. 

The LiDAR technology measures travelers’ movements with laser sensors, including the number of people waiting in line. Automated tracking software firm CrowdVision installed the new sophisticated technology at Security Checkpoint B of BWI. 

The system notifies travelers on a giant screen whether social distancing is satisfactory. If lines at the security checkpoint are too dense, the system will encourage those waiting in line to practice more social distancing. 

“Safe, healthy travel remains our priority,” said BWI’s executive director, Ricky Smith.

“Since the outset of the pandemic, BWI Marshall Airport has implemented many measures to help protect passengers and employees. This innovation provides real-time data on passenger flow so we can notify travelers and manage separation,” Smith said. 

Among other global airports, BWI could be one of the first to embrace LiDAR technology to enforce social distancing. 

“Our software solution helps BWI Marshall Airport improve their passengers’ travel experience and, more importantly, keeps them safe and gets them flying again,” said Mike Cunningham, president of CrowdVision.

The future of travel appears to be one that is a disturbing monolithic surveillance grid that tracks everyone. 

Under the guise of the pandemic, the surveillance state is quickly embracing new technologies to monitor not just travelers but eventually everyone.