Simulation of an airport passenger security system

As part of the new security environment at the nation's airports, discrete event simulation modeling was applied shortly after 9-11 to understand the operational dynamics of passenger security screening in conjunction with the redesign of the passenger checkpoint. In a rapid six week effort, a discrete event simulation model was built to represent the passenger and luggage screening system at Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI). BWI was the first airport to undergo enhancement, and the project was reported in "BWI's Subtle But Serious Security", Washington Post, March 4, 2002. After the value of simulation was demonstrated at BWI, the simulation methodology was applied to develop resource requirements at all Category X and I airports in the United States.