The aim of RT programs is to enhance speed and increase security by focusing resources where they are most needed, while facilitating travel for program participants. Technologies such as biometrics have an ever-increasing role in these schemes. The key is to identify low risk passengers, allowing them to pass through border and/or security controls more quickly and to concentrate attention on other groups of travelers that may not have been as thoroughly ‘pre-screened.’ In this way travel is made more secure for everyone.

Enrollment in an RT program must be strictly voluntary, but privacy issues still play an important role in the debate. Strict data protection measures must be put in place to assure participants that their privacy will not be compromised. It is not yet clear whether biographical and biometric data would be stored on smart cards or in a common centralized database to be managed by a competent authority. However, in either case, privacy concerns about data integrity must be taken into consideration.

Facilitating travel for low-risk passengers while focusing onsite screening on so-called ‘riskier’ groups may lead to savings on the time required to screen the overall population of travelers at a given security checkpoint or at immigration control. Long immigration and security queues may therefore be avoided. The easier the scheme is to use, the more time individual travelers will save. Efficient screening processes will allow passengers to spend more time in airport lounges and retail areas or to arrive at departure points later.

Unlike with ePassports – based on a global ISO standard and mandated by ICAO to each of its 189 member countries - support for RT programs is more fragmented among governments and the commercial airline industry. While such programs are needed not only to facilitate travel but also to increase the level of security, it may be left up to airlines and airports to decide in matters relating to the technology, functionality and scope of their RT program. Interoperability among programs would be a key feature, enabling travelers to use schemes across different airports and perhaps even countries.