How Noise and Conversations effect X-Ray Baggage Screening Performance

Taking into consideration today's rising threat level, Aviation Security continuously keeps gaining relevance. X-Ray baggage screeners have a highly responsible job while working under difficult circumstances. Their working environment is loud and highly distracting due to several reasons. This experiment has examined how the performance of object detection of 18 experienced screeners changes while having to listen to a conversation, having to talk actively and being exposed to jet engine noise. Although the observers reported the noise and active conversation to be stressful and exhausting, there were no significant findings to support the subjective assessment.