Urban Security Screening Market By Technology Type (X-ray Scanners, Explosive Trace Detectors, Biometric Systems, Millimeter-Wave Scanners, AI-Based Analytics); By Application Area (Airports & Transit Hubs, Government Buildings, Public Events & Stadiums, Urban Rail, Critical Infrastructure); By End User (Law Enforcement, Municipal Governments, Transportation Authorities, Private Security, Event Operators); By Geography, Segment Revenue Estimation, Forecast, 2024–2030

Introduction And Strategic Context

The Global Urban Security Screening Market is on track to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% , rising from $7.6 billion in 2024 to approximately $13.1 billion by 2030 , according to Strategic Market Research.

 

At the heart of this market is one clear mission: to keep urban spaces — from transportation hubs to public events and high-risk infrastructure — secure without bringing cities to a standstill. Urban security screening systems blend hardware and software to detect weapons, explosives, and contraband in crowded environments like subways, airports, stadiums, and government buildings.

 

What’s shifting in 2024–2030 is how these screenings are being conducted. Static metal detectors and manual inspections are giving way to real-time imaging, AI-driven threat detection, and mobile or contactless solutions. The global uptick in geopolitical tensions, urban crime, and terrorism threats continues to push cities to reimagine how they handle public safety — not just reactively, but proactively.

 

Several structural forces are converging:

• Terrorism risk and civil unrest : High-profile attacks in urban areas over the past decade have put sustained pressure on cities to invest in multi-layered security architecture.

• Smart city infrastructure : Urban modernization efforts are embedding screening technologies within transport, energy, and public space networks.

• AI and facial recognition : These are now being integrated into scanners and surveillance systems, enabling quicker identification without bottlenecks.

• Public health spillovers : COVID-era thermal and biometric tools are being adapted for broader security use, from identity verification to behavior analysis.

 

The stakeholder landscape is wide and includes:

• OEMs and tech providers , such as manufacturers of scanners, X-ray machines, biometric sensors, and AI vision tools.

• Municipal and federal governments , often funding and regulating urban security systems.

• Law enforcement agencies , who directly manage or operate these platforms.

• Infrastructure operators , including airports, stadiums, and metro systems.

• Investors , especially in urban tech and public safety startups.

Cities are becoming smarter — but also more vulnerable. That tension is exactly what’s fueling this market. The priority now isn’t just to detect threats, but to do it faster, with fewer false positives, and without disrupting everyday urban flow.

 

Market Segmentation And Forecast Scope

The urban security screening market breaks down into several key layers, reflecting both the diversity of threats and the complexity of modern city infrastructure. For strategic clarity, the market is segmented by Technology Type , Application Area , End User , and Region .

By Technology Type

• X-ray Scanners : Traditional but still dominant in transport terminals. New models include high-resolution 3D imaging and AI-assisted threat detection.

• Explosive Trace Detectors (ETDs) : Growing use in metro stations, border checkpoints, and parcel screening.

• Millimeter -Wave and Body Scanners : Increasingly deployed in airports and high-risk public facilities due to their ability to detect non-metallic threats.

• Biometric & Facial Recognition Systems : Rapid growth due to smart city adoption and integration with access control systems.

• AI-Powered Video Analytics : Still emerging, but gaining traction in event venues and smart surveillance zones.

In 2024, X-ray scanners accounted for around 41% of the total market , thanks to high deployment volumes in public transport. However, AI-powered analytics is expected to post the fastest growth through 2030 , driven by automation mandates in smart city projects.

 

By Application Area

• Airports & Transit Hubs

• Government Buildings

• Public Events & Stadiums

• Urban Rail & Metro Systems

• Critical Infrastructure (power plants, embassies, data centers )

Transit hubs lead the pack in revenue today due to scale and regulatory pressure, but stadiums and public venues are becoming key battlegrounds as cities face growing crowd management and lone-wolf threat concerns.

 

By End User

• Law Enforcement Agencies

• Municipal Governments

• Transportation Authorities

• Private Security Providers

• Event Management Companies

Municipal governments and transportation agencies are the primary buyers today, but the fastest-growing demand is coming from private sector event organizers , especially in high-profile entertainment and sports sectors.

 

By Region

• North America

• Europe

• Asia Pacific

• LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, Africa)

North America currently holds the largest market share due to advanced urban infrastructure, while Asia Pacific is seeing the fastest growth , especially in countries like China and India where smart city investments are ramping up.

 

Market Trends And Innovation Landscape

This market is being transformed less by headline-grabbing breakthroughs and more by behind-the-scenes integration of smarter, faster, and more discreet screening technologies. Innovation here is a response to a tricky challenge: how to secure cities without turning them into lockdown zones.

1. AI-Driven Threat Detection Is Becoming the Norm

AI is increasingly the “brain” behind urban screening. Systems now use deep learning models to identify suspicious objects, behaviors , or patterns in real time — even without manual input. This means fewer false positives and much faster throughput in public settings.

One urban transit director put it this way: “We’re not just screening for weapons anymore. We’re screening for anomalies — and that requires algorithms, not just sensors.”

Vendors are rolling out solutions that integrate AI into:

• Baggage scanners

• Biometric kiosks

• Networked CCTV feeds

This shift toward AI-driven platforms is especially visible in Asia and the Middle East, where smart city infrastructure is being built from the ground up.

 

2. Contactless and Passive Screening

Post-pandemic hygiene concerns haven’t vanished. Screening systems that work without physical touch — walk-through scanners, thermal imaging, and standoff detectors — are now in high demand.

Passive millimeter -wave and terahertz scanners are being piloted in metro systems and public buildings. These allow people to walk through unimpeded, while software detects concealed threats invisibly.

This is reshaping public expectations: frictionless security is no longer optional — it’s part of urban design.

 

3. Portable and Deployable Systems

The rise in pop-up events and urban protests is fueling demand for portable screening systems. These include:

• Foldable walk-through gates

• Battery-powered explosive trace detectors

• Rapid-deployment facial recognition units

These tools are especially valuable for law enforcement and emergency services who need to secure environments on short notice.

 

4. Convergence with Urban Surveillance Platforms

Security screening is now being integrated into broader urban surveillance networks. That includes:

• Sharing data with license plate readers

• Overlaying threat data on GIS-based dashboards

• Integrating screening alerts into command center software

This convergence means cities are no longer deploying siloed security systems. Instead, screening becomes part of an always-on, connected security grid.

 

5. Startup Ecosystem and VC Activity

There’s growing investor interest in security tech startups. Areas like AI analytics, thermal detection, and mobile scanners are attracting VC funding. Some startups are also partnering with municipal innovation hubs to co-develop public space security platforms.

Example: One European startup recently piloted a contactless bag scanner in Berlin’s transit system using AI-trained visual recognition — no conveyor belts, no emptying of backpacks.

 

Competitive Intelligence And Benchmarking

The urban security screening market is led by a mix of legacy defense contractors, commercial electronics firms, and nimble startups focused on AI and automation. It's not a wide playing field — it’s a specialized, highly strategic space where regulatory compliance and trust matter as much as performance specs.

Let’s look at how key players are positioning themselves.

Smiths Detection

A global heavyweight, Smiths Detection is known for its deep portfolio in X-ray, CT, and chemical trace detection. Their urban strategy focuses on airports and mass transit hubs. They’ve recently upgraded their scanner line to include AI-powered automatic threat recognition (ATR) for weapons and explosives.

They’re also pushing integration: their systems now work seamlessly with airport and city command centers , improving response coordination.

 

OSI Systems (Rapiscan Systems)

OSI Systems , through its Rapiscan brand, has a strong presence in checkpoint and baggage screening. They’ve doubled down on AI over the last two years, launching automated detection software that reduces the need for human screeners in high-volume environments.

They also emphasize mobility — their portable scanners are widely used by law enforcement at events, borders, and temporary urban checkpoints.

 

Leidos

Leidos operates heavily in the U.S. federal and defense market, but its screening solutions have found urban applications in government buildings, courthouses, and critical infrastructure. Their edge lies in system integration — they provide not just scanners, but the software that connects them to urban threat databases and incident reporting platforms.

Their tech is often embedded in broader homeland security modernization projects, giving them a bundled advantage.

 

Thales Group

French-based Thales is pushing forward with smart city security, blending urban surveillance with biometric access control. Their urban screening tools are often paired with facial recognition platforms and encrypted identity verification systems.

They’re particularly active in the Middle East and parts of Europe, where new smart city infrastructure is being rolled out rapidly.

 

Nuctech

Nuctech , a Chinese company, is expanding its global reach despite geopolitical scrutiny. Their screening equipment — especially X-ray and CT scanners — is cost-competitive and widely used in Asia, Latin America, and parts of Africa.

Their strength lies in manufacturing scale and AI-enhanced detection software, though their presence in North America and Western Europe is limited due to regulatory hurdles.

 

Liberty Defense

An emerging startup, Liberty Defense is pioneering 3D radar imaging for walk-through threat detection. Their system detects metallic and non-metallic items without requiring passengers to stop or empty pockets.

They’ve received strong interest from stadiums, convention centers , and urban transport authorities looking for non-intrusive screening options. Their ongoing pilots in U.S. metros could signal a broader shift toward passive screening.

 

Athena Security

Focused on AI-powered video analytics, Athena Security offers software that integrates with existing camera infrastructure to detect weapons in real time. Rather than traditional scanners, Athena’s approach uses computer vision to trigger alerts before a weapon is used.

They target corporate campuses, city buildings, and event venues — places where visible security checkpoints are often considered intrusive.

 

Regional Landscape And Adoption Outlook

Security screening in urban environments is shaped as much by local threats and regulatory pressure as it is by available budgets and technological maturity. Let’s break down how adoption plays out across key global regions.

North America

Still the largest market by revenue, North America’s demand is being driven by federal grants, critical infrastructure protection mandates, and high public expectations for visible security.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) continues to set the global standard for screening protocols. Many cities follow similar guidelines for transit hubs, stadiums, and government facilities. Airports remain core clients, but urban transit agencies in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago are ramping up screening investments.

Facial recognition, biometric kiosks, and AI threat detection are already operational in several metro systems. What’s growing now is the integration of these tools into broader “city-wide” surveillance platforms.

One senior official at a U.S. transit agency said: “We’re moving toward frictionless screening — and we’re doing it through layered, invisible technologies, not more metal detectors.”

 

Europe

Europe’s market is highly regulated, heavily privacy-focused, and selectively advanced. Adoption varies:

• Countries like Germany , France , and the UK lead with biometric border and transit security, especially after recent terror incidents.

• The Schengen Zone 's open-border model forces higher scrutiny at urban points of entry — train stations, ports, and public venues.

• GDPR remains a barrier to widescale biometric data usage, but cities are exploring “on-device processing” to comply.

Stadium and event security is a strong vertical in Europe. After incidents in Manchester and Paris, cities have invested in portable screening, video analytics, and behavior recognition systems.

 

Asia Pacific

This is the fastest-growing region — not just in terms of volume, but in how fast cities are modernizing security infrastructure.

China leads in smart screening deployment. From metro systems to shopping malls, AI-driven X-ray and facial recognition are already standard. India , meanwhile, is catching up fast, especially in urban rail and airport hubs. High-profile events (G20, cricket championships) have spurred tech rollouts in cities like Delhi and Mumbai.

Japan and South Korea combine advanced technology with a strong culture of social compliance, making them ideal zones for discreet, non-intrusive screening.

The real opportunity in Asia Pacific lies in tier-2 and tier-3 cities , where urbanization is accelerating, and screening infrastructure is often outdated or absent.

 

LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, Africa)

This region is diverse — and uneven.

• Middle East cities like Dubai , Riyadh , and Doha are global leaders in smart city security. Screening here goes hand-in-hand with facial recognition, behavioral biometrics, and centralized command centers .

• In Latin America , urban violence and organized crime have driven demand for portable screening tech, especially at events and government buildings. However, funding gaps and inconsistent infrastructure slow adoption.

• Africa is a largely untapped market. A few countries like South Africa and Kenya are testing mobile scanning and smart surveillance in airports, but broader urban deployment is still limited.

 

End-User Dynamics And Use Case

Security screening in cities isn’t a one-size-fits-all affair. Different urban stakeholders are buying — and using — these systems for very different reasons. Some prioritize high throughput. Others want discretion. And some just need to meet regulatory obligations. Let’s break down how that plays out.

1. Municipal Governments

City governments are usually the buyers behind screening deployments in public buildings, parks, transit hubs, and community events. Their goals are broad: reassure the public, prevent large-scale incidents, and coordinate with law enforcement in case of escalation.

They often favor multi-function platforms — systems that integrate cameras, scanners, and data feeds. Budget cycles and public pressure influence their pace of adoption. Procurement decisions are increasingly tied to smart city roadmaps.

 

2. Law Enforcement Agencies

Police departments and urban security forces use mobile screening tools for events, demonstrations, and public interventions . This includes:

• Portable metal detectors

• Bomb-sniffing kits

• AI-assisted video surveillance for crowd scanning

These users prioritize reliability and mobility. Tools must work in all weather, connect to central systems, and deliver actionable data quickly.

 

3. Transit Authorities

From metro operators to airport authorities, this segment has some of the highest screening volumes. Their pain point is throughput : screening must be fast, accurate, and non-disruptive.

AI-driven baggage scanners and contactless body scanners are increasingly being adopted. Some transit agencies are experimenting with behavioral biometrics , tracking movement patterns or gait to flag threats before passengers reach the checkpoint.

An official at a large U.S. transit system noted: “We’re not chasing the latest gadget — we want platforms that don’t create choke points.”

 

4. Private Security Firms

Private security providers manage screening for corporate campuses, embassies, VIP events, and critical infrastructure. Their priorities:

• Low false positives

• Quick installation and takedown

• Remote monitoring capabilities

They often rent rather than buy equipment, especially for short-duration deployments.

 

5. Event and Venue Operators

A fast-growing segment, especially after several high-profile crowd incidents worldwide. Concerts, sports matches, and public festivals are under pressure to adopt passive scanning that doesn’t bottleneck attendees.

There’s growing interest in smart walk-through systems that can detect metal and explosives in motion — without requiring attendees to stop or open bags.

 

Use Case Highlight

During a major international sporting event in Southeast Asia, a city’s transit authority faced two competing needs: screen passengers for threats, but avoid long queues that could disrupt scheduling and create secondary risks.

They deployed an AI-enhanced walkthrough system in five major metro stations. These scanners used passive millimeter -wave technology to detect metallic and non-metallic objects without requiring passengers to stop. Simultaneously, facial analytics software flagged individuals on the watchlist.

The result? Screening time per passenger dropped by 40% , and the system flagged two individuals carrying restricted weapons within the first week — both without causing panic or delay.

This real-world deployment has since become the model for similar upgrades in other dense transit systems across the region.

 

Recent Developments + Opportunities & Restraints

Recent Developments (Last 2 Years)

• Smiths Detection unveiled its latest AI-enhanced threat recognition software in 2024, designed for rapid deployment at stadiums and public venues. The system uses deep learning to detect weapons in real-time X-ray imagery.

• Liberty Defense expanded pilot programs for its 3D radar-based walkthrough screening system across several major U.S. metro stations in 2023. These passive scanners require no divestiture and can identify both metallic and non-metallic items.

• Thales Group announced a strategic partnership with a Middle Eastern smart city authority in late 2024, integrating biometric screening with its urban surveillance grid.

• Athena Security launched a new visual analytics platform that plugs into legacy camera systems. In 2023, it was adopted by several large event operators in the U.S. to identify visible firearms and behavioral anomalies.

• Rapiscan Systems introduced a mobile screening unit in early 2025, targeted at law enforcement and emergency deployments. The unit fits in the trunk of a standard vehicle and can be set up in under 10 minutes.

 

Opportunities

• Smart City Integration:
   As urban tech ecosystems expand, screening systems that sync with smart surveillance, access control, and real-time dashboards are gaining ground. This creates new cross-sector opportunities for vendors to plug into city infrastructure projects.

• Public Event Safety:
  The surge in concerts, rallies, and sports events is opening demand for non-invasive screening. Mobile and passive platforms tailored to event security are quickly becoming hot investment targets.

• Emerging Market Uptake:
  Cities in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America are now deploying first-wave screening infrastructure, particularly at urban transit hubs. Vendors who offer low-cost, modular systems have a strong runway here.

 

Restraints

• Privacy and Surveillance Pushback:
  Facial recognition and behavioral scanning remain controversial, especially in Western democracies. Regulatory scrutiny and public backlash can delay or limit deployment, even when the technology is ready.

• Capital-Intensive Procurement:
  Many city agencies face long budget cycles, political oversight, and limited funds for upgrading screening infrastructure. This slows adoption — especially in smaller or cash-strapped municipalities.

 

7.1. Report Coverage Table

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2024	USD 7.6 Billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 13.1 Billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 9.4% (2024–2030)
Base Year for Estimation	2024
Historical Data	2019 – 2023
Unit	USD Billion, CAGR (2024–2030)
Segmentation	By Technology Type, By Application Area, By End User, By Geography
By Technology Type	X-ray Scanners, Explosive Trace Detectors, Biometric Systems, Millimeter-Wave Scanners, AI-Based Analytics
By Application Area	Airports & Transit Hubs, Government Buildings, Public Events & Stadiums, Urban Rail, Critical Infrastructure
By End User	Law Enforcement, Municipal Governments, Transportation Authorities, Private Security, Event Operators
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Country Scope	U.S., UK, Germany, China, India, Japan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
Market Drivers	- Smart city investments in integrated security - Rising threats to public infrastructure - Growth in non-invasive and contactless screening solutions
Customization Option	Available upon request