Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will become one of the first major airports in the U.S. to use state-of-the-art automated exit lane technology at all exits.

The new automated exit lane technology has been successfully tested this summer at the concourse B exit. Passengers will find the system easy to use while providing increased safety and reducing operational costs. Using a combination of sensors, cameras and alarms, the new technology responds instantly to security situations and offers immediate analysis, leading to the quick resolution of any issues, Aviation News said.

Designed to accommodate a high volume of passengers, the new exit lane technology consists of three parallel, one-way doors with multiple lanes to funnel passengers out from the secure side of the airport. The doors open independently and automatically as passengers approach, allowing for more effective security. Sensors detect if a passenger changes direction between the doors or tries to enter from the wrong direction, triggering alarms and the locking of exit doors. Cameras, monitored 24/7, provide additional subject tracking opportunities.

The $6.4 million project is expected to be a model for other airports around the country, said Aviation News. At the end of 2013, TSA will no longer staff airport security exits. The port said this automated technology provides an alternative to physical staffing. The port estimates the new technology will result in annual savings of $1.8 million at Sea-Tac.