Houston Airport System Embraces Technology to Share Wait Times for Security Checkpoints on Fly2Houston.com

HOUSTON, Nov. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Effective immediately, passengers flying out of Houston have a new technology with real-time data on security checkpoint wait times at George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport. A new innovative tool on www.Fly2Houston.com captures Bluetooth signals and displays how long it actually takes travelers to clear the checkpoint.

"We exist to connect people, businesses, cultures and economies of the world to Houston and this new tool is our gift to the traveling public this holiday season," said Mario C. Diaz, Houston Airport System Director of Aviation.

While passengers understand the need to arrive early at either of Houston's hub airports, until today they could only speculate on how much time they needed to get through the checkpoints. The Houston Airport System launched the new Bluetooth system at nine checkpoints on November 16 as it celebrates "Customer Appreciation Day."

Houston Airport System Security Checkpoints:

• IAH Terminal A North
• IAH Terminal A South
• IAH Terminal B
• IAH Terminal C/E Connector 
• IAH Terminal C North
• IAH Terminal C South
• IAH Terminal D
• IAH Terminal E
• HOU Terminal

"We are using technology to enhance the customer experience," said Lisa Kent, Houston Airport System Chief Information Officer. "We've equipped all eight checkpoints at our five terminals at Bush Intercontinental and our single checkpoint at Hobby with this online tool."

The airport system's innovation team refreshes www.Fly2Houston.com every 15 minutes with new data. Fly2Houston.com displays one of three levels for each of the checkpoints to reflect the wait time length:

• Green - wait time is less than 10 minutes
• Yellow - wait time is between 10 and 15 minutes
• Red - wait time is more than 15 minutes

"This initiative allows us to be transparent in our operational efficiencies and provide the traveling public with a true snapshot of how much time they need to budget to be processed at any of our nine checkpoints in Houston," said Jeff Bream, Houston Airport System Technology Infrastructure Assistant Director.

The multi-checkpoint dashboard collects real-time data from Bluetooth signals as passengers are processed. The wait time program monitors how much time an average person spends moving through the checkpoint area.

The new technology to showcase multiple terminals with many checkpoints was developed through a partnership with Georgia-based Infax, Inc., which is a leading provider of display and computing technology solutions used in the aviation, mass transit and courthouse markets.  

The Houston Airport System is a significant economic engine with a $27.5 billion impact to the local economy.  During the Thanksgiving holiday season, more than 1.3 million passengers will travel through Houston's two commercial airports. November 16 is projected as the busiest day at Intercontinental with more than 180,000 passengers reported by airlines for advanced bookings. Hobby's peak day is November 19 with more than 17,000 passengers expected.

For more holiday travel tips follow us on Twitter @IAH and @HobbyAirport. Watch our latest  holiday travel tips at www.YouTube.com/HoustonAirports

SOURCE Houston Airport System