Oct. 6, 2009 (United Press International) -- The use of self-service airport kiosks to manage pedestrian traffic through U.S. airports has grown 20 percent in 2009, airport technology company SITA said.

Airports are managing traffic in their terminals in part by placing boarding pass kiosks away from terminals or at least the center of the terminals, USA Today reported Tuesday. Kiosks can be found at hotels, car rental offices and other locations associated with travel.

US Airways and NCR (NYSE:NCR) have placed 15 kiosks directly outside of terminals, rather than in the building, the newspaper said.

Placing the kiosks in locations other than terminals "leads to reduced lobby 'dwell time.' It's good for everybody," traveler Todd VanGerpen told the newspaper.

U.S. travelers use the kiosks to print their own boarding passes, but not luggage tags. In the United States only airline agents are allowed to tag luggage, the newspaper said.