Research Paper on Airport Security design

Research Paper on Airport Security Design at John F. Kennedy International Airport Student’s Name Institution Course # and Name Instructor’s Name Submission Date Airport security is the first line of defense when combating potential attacks and malicious actions that could compromise public safety. Thus, it is essential to formulate an accurate and efficient security system that detects and identifies possible threats. Once an airport identifies the threats, the airport will devise state-of-the-art security measures to prevent security breaches. This research analyzes the selection criteria, organization, and training the security force undergoes to provide safety at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The paper explores the layout design that will maximize security management efficiency and passenger flow. Moreover, the paper will provide an in-depth description of the screening process and the function of the equipment. This scholarly endeavor will analyze how to integrate systems to ensure maximum efficiency. The research will also describe the security management for freight air carriers to ensure safe freight. Therefore, the paper mainly analyzes the security measures that John F. Kennedy International Airport implements to enhance operation efficiency. Security Force- Selection, Organization, and Training Selection Karamitsos et al. (2023) argue that airport security measures ensure that the primary commercial airport in the United States complies with the stipulated security regulations. John F. Kennedy International Airport conducts the recruitment process according to government guidelines. The rigorous recruitment process involves announcing the positions to the general public. According to the Airport Security Force (n.d), for an assistant director, the selection entails a person who emerges victorious in an aptitude test and proceeds to the interviews. The selection criteria depend on one's academic qualifications and whether they meet the age limit to perform the role effectively. Tuchen et al. (2023) argue that candidates must meet the standard of physical fitness that the airport requires to ensure they are fit for the role. The security force at John F. Kennedy International Airport incorporates a comprehensive recruitment criterion to select top-notch talent. Therefore, selecting security personnel depends on their qualifications and physical fitness to conduct the role effectively. Organization The organization of the airport's security force entails three branches to detect potential threats that might undermine public safety. The branches include the security forces at the terminal check-in counters, TSA security checkpoints, and the gate area. The airport operators at terminal check-in counters execute security guidelines to conduct security measures such as screening passengers and access control. Moreover, the airport operators adhere to the local and international guidelines while tailoring the services to the airport's needs. The frontline security personnel entails law enforcement officers, screens, and guards. These security personnel conduct security measures to ensure the airport remains safe for flights (Febuyanti et al., 2022). Moreover, the security personnel use tools to screen passengers at John F. Kennedy International Airport to identify potential threats. The security personnel can confiscate weapons that terrorists can use to cause harm to the innocent public at the airport. In-flight security personnel, including the crew, promote secure passenger luggage handling during the flight. Security agents promote safety by monitoring the operations of the internal staff to detect any potential threat. This process involves monitoring the activities of employees such as baggage handlers, cleaners, and food service staff in the airport. Hand wand metal detectors effectively identify the potential threats a person working on the aircraft can cause passengers. Training The airport security regulations require frequent training of security personnel to remain abreast with the evolving security needs in the aviation industry. Klenka (2019) argues that after the 9/11 attack, airports prioritized training to ensure passenger safety. Trainings equip security personnel with the skills to combat attacks and security threats. Fauzi et al. (2021) argue that airport implements systematic and periodic training to assess and improve the desired skills among the security personnel. The training caters to different spheres, such as acquiring knowledge and improving organizational performance at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The airport management identifies the areas that need more attention through the training. Moreover, the management assesses the applicability of the training in the work environment to analyze whether the lessons are impactful. Over the years, instructional methods have evolved to cater to the changing needs and demands of the aviation industry. The complexity of the security issue reflects the instruction tool that John F. Kennedy International Airport implements in the training. Thus, the security training programs are effective if they incorporate interactive communication that stimulates employee involvement. The primary commercial airline implements a combination of training to enhance the security training programs. Modern training methods promote instructiveness and effectiveness in improving the security measures in the airport (Febuyanti et al., 2022). The security training programs empower the employees to implement adequate security measures. Therefore, the instructional methods will raise awareness and help combat security breaches and risks. Training evaluations assess the competency levels of the employees to ensure that the training is effective in combating attacks at the John F. Kennedy International Airport. The management needs to incorporate pre-training programs to act as performance indicators to assess the effectiveness of the training. The response to the training should meet the training objectives, which leads to improving security measures within the premises. The airport will provide different levels of training to the security personnel to offer personalized training that caters to individual needs (Febuyanti et al., 2022). Different programs will improve the efficacy, such as mandatory and voluntary training to provide practical application of skills to the employees. Airport Layout Design The airport layout will implement a pier terminal layout since it will maximize efficiency and improve the coordination of functional areas. Ke and Ben (2020) investigated the impact of a functional airport design in improving the efficiency of airport operations. The pier terminal ensures proper utilization of the resources to ensure that the aircraft can park within the entire parameter. Research affirms that commercial airports utilize the pier form because it provides an ideal customer experience (Wu & Chen, 2019). The layout accommodates more aircraft for less terminal space, leading to proper utilization of the limited space. Therefore, implementing the pier layout enhances the customer’s experience since the airport improves the logistics of operations. The pier terminal minimizes the distance the passengers have to walk between different points, which reduces the time taken for screening. The terminal building connects to the security points and check-in building, meaning passengers take less time (Taleisnik, 2019). The airport layout should accommodate different facilities like runways while ensuring that passengers can seamlessly navigate from one place to another. Thus, the layout promotes ease of navigation from one point to another, improving operations in the airport. Pier layout links from one place, which improves the logistics in the airport. The terminal area will facilitate quick check-ins and clearance with the customs since the passengers will have lounges to rest before embarking on the journey. The pier layout ensures that operational buildings, such as aircraft parking areas and operational buildings, have sufficient space to conduct operations efficiently. The layout will provide adequate time for security personnel to assess for any security threats (Daigle, 2021). The terminal area will avoid inconveniences such as congestion, hence improving the security measures in the airport. The aircraft parking implements the pier system, which is economical and allows future expansion. Terminal buildings such as the control tower and custom control will adopt a centralized system. Baggage handling counters will adopt a centralized system to ensure that the passengers and the baggage are routed towards a central system. Dermirhan et al. (2021) affirm that a parallel taxiway enhances efficiency in the airport since it reduces delays and promotes efficient time management. The parallel taxiway reduces security threats since it reduces crossing the roads. The commercial airport will incorporate a parallel taxiway to ensure the movement of the airplanes is smooth, with more exits to facilitate movement when there is high traffic. The airport will incorporate the tee hanger and the nose hangar to cater to small and large planes. The nose hangar is an economical layout for large-size aircraft, which provides conducive working conditioning, and airport staff can conduct overhauling of the engines seamlessly (Hare, 2021). The tee hangar ensures that all small aircraft can operate efficiently and effectively within the confined space. The hangars will connect with the terminals, seamlessly allowing for the seamless provision of water supply, electricity, and drainage (Hare, 2021). Moreover, the hangars will provide an opportunity for future expansion. Zhu et al. (2020) argue that vehicular parking will accommodate passengers traveling for short and long-term parking. The parking layout will implement a 45-degree curb, providing passengers with ease of parking and unparking. Additionally, the parking will promote seamless operations and movements within the airport. An open apron system will arrange for the aircraft to serve as facilities for parking where the operators can efficiently fuel since the pilots park the aircraft next to the terminal building. The apron system allows passengers to load and unload their cargo effectively (Sznajderman et al., 2021). The primary commercial airline will incorporate the apron system near the terminal to improve safety and efficiency since the passengers will easily connect from the terminal building to the airfield (Hare, 2021). Security personnel can implement adequate security measures to ensure that aircraft can park without interfering with other operations. Passengers will easily access the aircraft while maneuvering the cargo as well. The overall layout promotes functional operations and ensures that the security personnel implement seamless security measures. An efficient layout minimizes the risks of injuries and accidents by providing adequate space, signage, and lighting (Mascio et al., 2021). The airport layout design, such as the aprons, promotes security since it restricts entry from an unauthorized individual. The overall layout protects sensitive areas in the airport through surveillance cameras, gates, and fences. Febiyanti et al. (2022) argue that the aircraft in the airports can move quickly and park efficiently due to the efficient layout that streamlines operations. The layout facilitates efficiency by providing multiple taxiways and parking areas. The design provides sufficient space and room for the ground equipment. Moreover, the airport design facilitates a convenient layout for passengers to access cargo and terminal facilities. Passengers receive the best services in the primary commercial airport since the design facilitates easy access to different areas. Figure 1: Common types of airport designs—pier design (left) and satellite design (right) (Liu & Usher, 2016). The Pier layout utilizes a narrow terminal building, while the satellite layout is completely detached from the airport facilities. The passenger flow in the pier layout is efficient since the buildings connect to each other, while in the satellite layout, it is time-consuming to move from one place to another (Hasanzade & Van, 2020). The satellite design requires shuttle buses that enable passengers to move from one terminal to another. In the pier layout, the design minimizes the distance between the check-in points and security, which enhances security measures. Security personnel can identify potential threats more quickly than with a satellite layout. Commercial airports prefer pier layouts because they allow fast connections, which improves operational efficiency (Hasanzade & Van, 2020). System of Screening Passengers Screening Passengers Chang (2020) argues that passenger screening identifies weapons and dangerous items that passengers carry, which can jeopardize public safety. In airport...