A decision-analysis approach for optimal airport security

As the danger from a terrorist on board a plane continues to plague air travel, it is becoming increasingly clear that the issue of the proper set of security devices at airports is of paramount criticality. While security devices such as metal detectors have been used at airports for years, there is increased divisiveness concerning the right amount and scope of security devices at airports. There are many proponents and many opponents of the latest rage, full-body scanners and enhanced pat-downs, and the refrain of liberty vs. security is often heard. In previous work, we have shown that it is inadvisable to rely on a single supplier. Similarly, one may argue that it is inadvisable to rely on a security system with a single device, the metal detector, even if it is augmented with the now routine identification process of matching a passenger’s boarding pass and driver’s license.This paper focuses on the number and ordering of security devices that would be appropriate at an airport. The paper proposes that the decision-making process be modeled using a decision-tree approach. It considers the probability of a terrorist event, the loss caused by such an event, and the cost of having/operating multiple security devices. However, a key advantage is that the “costs” are not limited to the monetary costs. The methodology could serve as an aid to airport managers and other officials responsible for airport security, as well as to academics who are analyzing these issues.