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Surface Transportation Security
Efforts to Strengthen Aviation and Surface Transportation Security are Under Way, but Challenges Remain
In August 2007, GAO reported that DHS had made moderate progress in securing the aviation and surface transportation networks, but that more work remains. Specifically, of the 24 performance expectations GAO identified in the area of aviation security, GAO reported that DHS had generally achieved 17 of these expectations and had generally not achieved 7 expectations. With regard to the security of surface modes of transportation, GAO reported that DHS generally achieved three performance expectations and had generally not achieved two others... (10/18/07)
GAO Report on Terror Attack Risks for Rail System
GAO report finds that transportation officials have yet to assess the risks of a terror attack on the nation's passenger rail system. (1/19/07)
Detour Ahead: Critical Vulnerabilities In America's Rail And Mass Transit Security Programs
U.S. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, the ranking member of the U.S. House of Representatives' Homeland Security Committee, has released a report that was prepared by the Democratic staff of the committee that examines the potential vulnerabilities of America's rail and mass transit security programs. The report was produced to coincide with the first anniversary of the London public transportation bombings of July 7, 2005.
Multiyear Plan for Bridge and Tunnel Security Research, Development, and Deployment
Protecting critical infrastructure against terrorist events is a need imposed on us by the events of September 11, 2001.
Report surveys security technologies for trucking industry
Max Donath, director of the University of Minnesota's Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Institute, recently collaborated with the International Truck and Engine Corporation and the American Transportation Research Institute—the trucking industry's research arm—to evaluate security technologies applicable to commercial vehicle operations (CVO). The report, Homeland Security and the Trucking Industry (CTS 05-08), provides a high-level analysis of a wide variety of technologies with current and potential applications in safeguarding commercial vehicle operations.
Amalgamated Transit Union's Role in Transit Security
The Amalgamated Transit Union has produced a video, entitled Keeping Our Members and Communitites Save: ATU's Role in Transit Security, which seeks to inform frontline transit employees, including vehicle operators and maintenance employees, of the important role they can and should play in securing their workplace and further encourages the development of labor-management partnerships in developing and implementing such security initiatives and training programs. The video has been distributed to all ATU locals and is also available from the ATU International Office.
To Help Local, State Agencies Manage Surface Transportation Security
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced a new Web site to provide state and local agencies simple access to information on improving security in the operation of the surface transportation system. (6/27/03)
Report Outlines Research to Improve Freight Transportation Information Systems Security
The vulnerability of U.S. freight transportation information systems to terrorist cyberattack presents a potentially serious homeland security concern, says a new report from the National Academies' Transportation Research Board and Computer Science and Telecommunications Board. The report outlines the research necessary to strengthen the security of these systems, which facilitate the efficient movement and delivery of goods and materials. 6/11/2003
Full Report (472 KB PDF, requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader)
FTA Transit Threat Level Response Recommendation
The FTA has developed a National Transit Response Model that supports the initiatives of the Office of Homeland Security (OHS). The plan serves as a guide for the FTA's response to the OHS Homeland Security Advisory System. It provides guidance to the transit industry on the appropriate/recommended response to the various OHS threat level designations. 1/22/03
Public Transportation Security Volume 2: K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers
This second volume of TCRP Report 86 is now available from the TRB Bookstore (search for "TC086"). The report is based largely on extensive interviews with nine public transportation agencies that currently deplay K9s and four agencies that disbanded their K9 programs in the last 5 years.
FTA-Standard Protocols for Managing Transit Vehicles
FTA's Office of Safety and Security recently released a brochure, "Standard Protocols for Managing Security Incidents Involving Surface Transit Vehicles." The brochure provides protocols in three parts. Part One (Prevention) focuses on inspection and routine maintenance measures; Part Two (Unknown Substances and Suspicious Packages) deals with protocol for evaluating potential terrorist situations; Part Three (Response) highlights measures to take when responding to a verified or highly suspicious event. The protocols are mainly focused toward the transit vehicle operator, but can be applied to transit operations in general.
Public Transportation Security Volume 1: Communication of Threats: A Guide
This first volume of TCRP Report 86 is now available from the TRB Bookstore (search for "TC086"). This document suggests improved methods to share threat information. Effective strategies for sharing analyzed and unanalyzed reports of suspicious activities and a path to an interoperable set of national, regional, and local threat-information forums are proposed.
A Guide to Updating Highway Emergency Response Plans for Terrorist Incidents
This May 2002 contractor's report, prepared for the AASHTO Security Task Force with funding provided through the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), is available on the AASHTO web site. Prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff--PB Farradyne, this report provides preliminary guidelines for planning for enhanced emergency response to terrorist incidents, especially those involving weapons of mass destruction. The guide builds upon existing emergency management practice.
A Guide to Highway Vulnerability Assessment for Critical Asset Identification and Protection
This May 2002 contractor's report, prepared for the AASHTO Security Task Force with funding provided through the NCHRP, is available on the AASHTO web site. Prepared by Science Applications International Corporation, this report was developed as a tool for state Departments of Transportation to: - Assess the vulnerabilities of their physical assets such as bridges, tunnels, roadways, and inspection and traffic operation facilities, among others;
- Develop possible countermeasures to deter, detect, and delay the consequences of terrorist threats to such assets;
- Estimate the capital and operating costs of such countermeasures; and
- Improve security operational planning for better protection against future acts of terrorism.
Florida Public Transportation Anti-Terrorism Resource Guide
The Center for Urban Transportation (CUTR) at the University of South Florida (USF) assembled this guide to provide public transit agencies in Florida with information on current resources available to assist them with improving system security and guard against potential terrorist acts.
Mineta Transportation Institute
For the past five years, the Mineta Transportation Institute at San José State University has led a continuing research program focusing on the security of public surface transportation against terrorist attacks and other serious violent crimes. The initial phase of a formal research program aimed at identifying the best security practices included four case studies that reviewed transportation security measures in Paris, Atlanta, New York, and on the Amtrak rail system. View the "Protecting Public Surface Transportation Against Terrorism and Serious Crime" executive summary (PDF or HTML format) or final report (PDF or HTML format). "Protecting Surface Transportation Systems and Patrons from Terrorist Activities" is also available from the website (PDF or HTML format).
Practical Security and Emergency Response Advice from New York and Washington D.C.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has compiled a "lessons learned" from providers of public transportation in the New York and Washington D.C. metropolitan areas since the devastation of September 11th. A summary of the recommendations is available.
Improving Surface Transportation Security Through Research and Development
Daniel F. Morgan and H. Norman Abramson (TR News 211, November-December 2000)
This article summarizes the NRC Policy Study below. The federal government must set priorities for research and development to secure the surface transportation system, avoiding duplications of effort, coordinating findings among agencies, and implementing and assessing improvements, according to a National Research Council study.
Improving Surface Transportation Security: A Research and Development Strategy (NRC Policy Study)
TRB participated in a study in 1999 entitled, Improving Surface Transportation Security: A Research and Development Strategy. This study provided guidance to the USDOT on how it might organize and focus an R&D program designed to assist the owners and operators of the surface transportation system in responding to terrorist threats. This report can be accessed and read online.
TCRP Synthesis 21--Methods For Improving Transit Security
This synthesis will be of interest to transit agency general managers, police and security, operations, training, and human resources staffs, and to local police officials. It offers information on a variety of approaches to improving transit security. The nature and extent of transit crime, effective strategies to combat problem situations, and case studies of specific control practices deemed successful by transit agency professionals (with no distinctions drawn between bus and rail modes) are discussed.
Emergency Preparedness for Transit Terrorism
Annabelle Boyd and John P. Sullivan (TR News 208, May-June 2000)
This article summarizes the TCRP Synthesis 27 (below). Transit police and security and operations personnel, in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, employ a variety of security programs to protect transportation agencies, their customers, and employees. Collectively, these programs have been quite effective in reducing violent crime and improving customer perceptions of security. Now, however, these programs, designed to address traditional security concerns, must deal with the emerging threat of transit terrorism.
TCRP Synthesis 27--Emergency Preparedness For Transit Terrorism
This synthesis provides information on the current practices of transit agencies to prevent and respond to terrorism and acts of extreme violence. It integrates information gathered from a review of the literature, and from surveys, site visits, and telephone interviews with personnel from transit police and security departments, local police agencies, transit authorities, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF). In addition, to provide a useful perspective on mass transit preparedness, this synthesis contrasts transit perspectives to those of general service police through a review of relevant literature.
Securing Intermodal Connections: Meeting the Challenges of Rail-Aviation Passenger Facilities
Annabelle Boyd and Jim Caton (Paper presented at the conference on Facility Security: Protecting Infrastructure and Special Events.)
In the coming decades, linking aviation and rail transportation systems together into a more efficient and seamless intermodal system will not only be a convenience, but a necessity. This paper:- Describes the trends driving rail-aviation links to the forefront of urban planning strategies
- Highlights the special challenges that these linkages present for security management within the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) national planning framework
- Offers recommendations for intermodal facility design and management.
FTA's "Transit Security Handbook"
To support on-going implementation of State Safety Oversight security requirements, FTA has prepared the Transit Security Handbook. This Handbook explains the security provisions specified in Part 659 and provides a comprehensive description of the system security process.
FTA's Critical Incident Management Handbook and Appendices
These guidelines have been designed to provide practical assistance to transit personnel with responsibility for planning, managing, and recovering from emergencies and disasters.
Incorporating Security into the Oversight Program
FTA's recommended procedure for threat assessments.
Transit Terrorism Preparedness
A briefing on transit terrorism given at FTA's 4th Annual State Safety Oversight Conference in Denver, CO, in October 2000.
American Public Transportation Association
www.apta.com/info/briefings/briefing_4_special.html
The briefing identifies documents available on the Internet that may be of use to public transportation systems preparing to defend against further acts of terrorism.
American Public Works Association
www.apwa.net/PWResponds/
This website contains current public works related information, including advisories being released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Current phone numbers and points of contact are provided.
Federal Transit Administration, Office of Safety and Security, Transit Security Programs
transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/
FTA encourages all transit systems to develop and implement proactive security plans to protect passengers, employees, revenues, and property. FTA's Safety and Security Program supports system security efforts with guidelines and best practices, training, and voluntary audits, to achieve the highest practical level of safety and security for all modes of transit. (Also accessible at this website is Transit Security Newsletter: transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/Transitsecurity Newsletter/news_sec.stm)
Institute of Transportation Engineers
http://www.ite.org/security/index.asp
The Institute of Transportation Engineers has compiled a list of resources currently available on-line to support the needs of urban transportation professionals in planning for and responding to transportation security emergencies.
ITS America
http://www.itsa.org/homeland.html
"Homeland Security" is the newest page to be featured on ITS America's web site. The page carries news, information, links to the latest articles and online resources and Homeland Security Task Force activities. Contact: Rachel Romine, rromine@itsa.org.
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