Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Airport Technology and Efficiency Improvement Act of 2023”.
Airport Technology and Efficiency Improvement Act of 2023
A BILL
To establish a grant program for use of internet of things technologies in airports, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Eligibility of sensor projects for Airport Improvement Program
Section 47119(a)(1)(B)(ii) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking “cameras” and inserting “sensors with the capability to detect travelers for security purposes, such as cameras and Light Detection and Ranging (commonly known as “LiDAR”),”.
Sec. 3 Non-movement area surveillance surface display systems pilot program
Increase in number of eligible sponsors— Section 47143(b)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking “5 eligible sponsors” and inserting “10 eligible sponsors”.
Priority for low-Light sensors— Section 47143(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(3) Priority—In making grants under the pilot program, the Administrator shall prioritize projects utilizing sensors that in low-light and degraded visual conditions can categorize and distinguish between humans, animals, and other objects.”
Change of sunset date— Section 47143(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking “October 1, 2023” and inserting “October 1, 2028”.
Sec. 4 Smart airports pilot program
Establishment— Subchapter I of chapter 471 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“47145. Smart airports pilot program
“(a) In general—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish and carry out a pilot program (in this section referred to as the “Program”) to support the acquisition and installation of “internet of things” technologies by airports to create a more consumer-friendly and digitally connected airport experience. Under the Program, the Administrator shall make grants, on a competitive basis, to airports to carry out eligible projects described in subsection (b).
“(b) Eligible projects—The Administrator may make a grant under the Program only for a project that facilitates the acquisition and installation by an airport of sensor systems, software, passenger signals, or other technologies consistent with the purposes of the Program, including projects that facilitate—
“(1) the modernization of technologies to provide more efficient check-ins, shortened security lines, and Wi-Fi and GPS upgrades, as well as improvements of aircraft turnaround times for on-time boarding and flights; and
“(2) the acquisition of sensors and software systems with the ability to provide efficiency gains in airports, including shortening wait times and improving traveler experience through smart signals in parking garages, security lines, or airport commerce.
“(c) Grants
“(1) Number—The Administrator shall seek to make grants under the Program to not fewer than 5 airports.
“(2) Amount—No grant under the Program may exceed $2,000,000.
“(d) Priority—In making grants under the Program, the Administrator shall prioritize projects that do not collect facial and biometric data of passengers not identified as a security threat.
“(e) Sunset—The authority to make grants under this section shall terminate on September 30, 2029.
“(f) Authorization of appropriations—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2029.”
Clerical amendment— The analysis for chapter 471 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 47144 the following new item: