TSA and United Airlines introduce new automated security lanes at Newark Airport

NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- The Transportation Security Administration and United Airlines announced new automated security screening lanes and introduced state-of-the-art checkpoint technology at Newark Airport Tuesday.

The automated screening lanes incorporate technology that officials say 'enhances security effectiveness while decreasing the time travelers spend in security screening by up to 30 percent.'

The first of 17 automated screening lanes at Newark were deployed Tuesday, ahead of the busy travel season

The additional lanes will be installed and in use in the weeks ahead, the TSA said.

In addition to the new automated screening lanes at Newark, United and TSA opened automated screening lanes in Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport earlier this month.

"Our main priority is to protect passengers traveling out of Newark Liberty in an evolving threat environment," said TSA's New Jersey Federal Security Director Thomas Carter. "TSA continues to deploy state-of-the-art technologies to ensure that we remain current. Collaborating with United Airlines has been an important step in enhancing the traveler experience here at Newark while always maintaining effective security."