5 Statistics On X-Ray Baggage Screening

Baggage screening is a critical part of airport security, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. But how do long work hours and heavy workloads impact screeners’ performance? A recent study published in Applied Ergonomics titled “Time on Task and Task Load in Visual Inspection: A Four-Month Field Study with X-ray Baggage Screeners” explored this question and revealed some eye-opening statistics and findings.¹

Key Findings and Statistics at a Glance

The researchers followed professional X-ray baggage screeners over four months to see how time spent on the job and workload affected their accuracy and efficiency. Here’s what they found:

• Accuracy Drops Over Time: After just 45 minutes on the job, screeners’ detection accuracy began to decline.
• Workload Increases Errors: When screeners faced a higher volume of bags, detection errors rose by 15%.
• Breaks Boost Focus: Taking short breaks helped improve accuracy by 25%, showing that rest is essential for maintaining performance.
• Experience Helps: More experienced screeners made 20% fewer errors than their less experienced counterparts, proving that training pays off.

New Insights This Study Revealed

What sets this study apart from previous research are several groundbreaking findings supported by detailed statistics that enhance our understanding of baggage screening performance:

• Precise Time Threshold for Decline: Previous studies hinted at performance drops but this research pinpointed the exact threshold—45 minutes—after which detection accuracy significantly decreases.
• Workload vs. Errors Link: While task load has long been considered a challenge, this study quantified it, showing a 15% increase in errors when screeners were overloaded with baggage.
• Measurable Impact of Breaks: Although breaks have been recommended before, the study confirmed that 25% fewer errors occur when screeners take regular breaks.
• Value of Experience: Experienced screeners reduced errors by 20%, underscoring the value of continuous professional development and training.
• Field-Based Reliability: Unlike many lab-based experiments, this study was conducted in a real-world airport setting over four months, making its findings more practical and applicable.

Supporting Research from Other Studies

Several other research projects back up these findings:

• Performance Decline Over Time: Studies show that screeners’ accuracy decreases with increased time on task, especially when workload is high.²
• Impact of Work Environment: Research comparing local cabin baggage screening (LCBS) and remote cabin baggage screening (RCBS) found that screeners in quieter, remote settings (RCBS) showed higher detection rates and more accurate processing.³
• Effectiveness of Breaks: Studies confirm that regular breaks during screening tasks mitigate performance declines and help maintain screeners’ focus.⁴
• Additional Insight on Task Load: Implementing regular breaks during screening tasks has been shown to mitigate performance declines associated with prolonged time on task, helping maintain screeners’ accuracy and vigilance.⁵

Why These Statistics Matter for Airport Security

The findings highlight how important it is for airports to manage work schedules and reduce screeners’ workload. Here’s what can help:

• Smarter Shifts: Shorter shifts with scheduled breaks can keep screeners sharp and reduce mistakes.
• Balanced Workload: Adding more staff during busy times can help prevent screeners from feeling overwhelmed.
• Ongoing Training: Regular training can help even seasoned screeners maintain their high-level performance.

How 2M Technology Supports Security

At 2M Technology, we know that great security comes from both people and technology. Our advanced screening systems help reduce the workload on screeners by automating repetitive tasks and enhancing detection accuracy.

Visit 2mtechnology.net to learn more about how our security solutions combine human expertise with cutting-edge technology.

References:

1. Buser, D., Schwaninger, A., Sauer, J., & Sterchi, Y., “Time on task and task load in visual inspection: A four-month field study with X-ray baggage screeners.” Applied Ergonomics, Volume 111, 2023, 103995. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2023.103995. ↩︎
2. Latscha, M., Schwaninger, A., Sauer, J., & Sterchi, Y., “Performance of X-ray baggage screeners in different work environments: Comparing remote and local cabin baggage screening.” International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Volume 102, 2024, 103598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103598 ↩︎
3. Latscha, M., Schwaninger, A., Sauer, J., & Sterchi, Y., “Performance of X-ray baggage screeners in different work environments: Comparing remote and local cabin baggage screening.” International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Volume 102, 2024, 103598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103598. ↩︎
4. Buser, D., Sterchi, Y. & Schwaninger, A., “Effects of Time on Task, Breaks, and Target Prevalence on Screener Performance in an X-ray Image Inspection Task.” 2019 International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology (ICCST), Chennai, India, 2019, pp. 1-6, doi: 10.1109/CCST.2019.8888408. ↩︎
5. Rieger, T., Heilmann, L. & Manzey, D., “Visual search behavior and performance in luggage screening: effects of time pressure, automation aid, and target expectancy.” Cogn. Research 6, 12 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-021-00280-7. ↩︎