Passengers at John F Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia and New York Stewart International airports can now access up-to-date Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and taxi wait times on the Port Authority’s airport websites.
In coordination with the TSA and other agency partners, the Port Authority has installed BlipTrack, a real-time measurement tool to track and display wait times at TSA checkpoint screening areas and taxi stands. The goal is to not only provide information so that travellers know what to expect but to also enable airports to develop strategies by targeting resources and reducing wait times.
Kevin O’Toole, chairman for Port Authority, said: “We are focused on enhancing the customer experience at our airports by providing this critical information. The installation of BlipTrack allows us to provide customers with the real-time information they need to plan their travels. Even more importantly, it provides us data to focus on how to reduce wait times going forward.”
Real-time tracking information is part of the Port Authority’s ongoing efforts to deliver an enhanced customer experience for passengers using its airports. TSA wait times at LaGuardia’s Terminals C and D went live on the LGA website this month (February), becoming the latest terminals to be activated. Wait time information also is available inside terminals.
Launching in November last year (2018), BlipTrack allowed passengers in most airport terminals to remotely check on TSA wait times during the recent government shutdown. Now 14 terminals across the agency’s four airports have the tracking system, except Terminal C for United Airlines at Newark Liberty. United hopes to have its system go live later this year.
Rick Cotton, executive director at Port Authority, said: “In today’s increasingly interconnected world, the passenger’s journey begins before they leave for the airport. With this real-time data posted on each of the airport’s websites, wait times are now readily available to help reduce passenger stress and enable travellers to plan based on the wait times they will encounter.
“At the same time, as we saw during the recent government shutdown, the information makes it easier for airport staff to monitor checkpoint wait times and call for additional resources to congested areas.”
The technology helps travellers make informed decisions regarding ground transportation and taxi lines, enabling the airport to identify taxi shortages and bottlenecks, for airport staff to request additional taxis when necessary.
Feature image: HOK—LaGuardia Airport Terminal B
