TSA offers $15,000 for best idea to speed up security

WASHINGTON, July 29 (UPI) -- The Transportation and Security Administration is offering innovative travelers $15,000 for their best idea on how to speed up the process of check-in at American Airports.

The winning conscientious consumers and established engineers will be awarded one $5,000 prize and multiple additional prizes worth at least $2,500 for successfully redesigning the TSA's much-maligned PreCheck program.

PreCheck, in theory, allows faster screening for travelers who have provided background information prior to flying. But faster screening is also promised for premium travelers, passengers in wheelchairs, pilots and crew members -- often creating delays in an attempt to curb them.

"The Challenge is to provide a simulation modeling concept that can form the basis to plan, develop requirements, and design a queue appropriately," the TSA said in an official statement.

The concept will be used to develop a model to be applied in decision analysis and to take in considerations of site specific requirements, peak and non-peak hours, flight schedules and TSA staffing schedules. Solvers are expected to provide the concept and provide evidence that it works as described.

The deadline for submissions is August 15.