Performance of X-ray baggage screeners in different work environments: Comparing remote and local cabin baggage screening

Abstract

X-ray screening of passenger baggage at airports is performed in different work settings. In local cabin baggage screening (LCBS), airport security officers (screeners) analyse X-ray images of passenger bags at the checkpoints where they are exposed to noise and social stress from passengers. In remote cabin baggage screening (RCBS), screeners work in remote, quiet, and office-like environments. The primary aim of this study was to compare the screening performance in LCBS and RCBS. In addition, we examined the effects of time on task and task load in both work settings. Using linear mixed models, we analysed threat image projection (TIP) data from 1706 screeners collected over two years (669,168 TIP events). The results showed better detection of prohibited articles (higher hit rate) and longer processing times in RCBS than in LCBS. In both settings, we found a decrease in the hit rate with increasing time on task, and this decrease was stronger when the task load was high. Interestingly, the effects of work setting, time on task, and task load were relatively small compared with the inter-individual differences in performance across screeners.