The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on Aug. 18 began a four-week pilot of American Science and Engineering‘s [ASEI] Z Portal backscatter X-Ray cargo and vehicle inspection system at the Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach Ferry near Havelock, N.C. The imaging system is used to screen vehicles for explosives before they are driven onto the small ferry boat, which crosses the Neuse River. Prior to boarding drivers proceed slowly through the Z Portal, which captures images from three sides of the vehicle. Once through the portal, transportation security officers stop the vehicle for 10 to 15 seconds to evaluate the images. TSA-certified explosives detection canine teams are standing by in case additional screening is needed. In a previous pilot at the Cape May, N.J.-Lewes, Del., Ferry that crosses the Delaware Bay, TSA and the Coast Guard evaluated AS&E’s Z Backscatter Van. AS&E currently has another test of its Z Portal system underway with Customs and Border Protection at a border crossing in the Southwest U.S. Stephens Inc. analyst Tim Quillin, who recently visited the company’s headquarters, says, “We got the sense that the test is going extremely well and could eventually lead to an order(s) worth tens of millions of dollars.”