Improving Surface Transportation Security

The surface transportation system is vital to our nation's economy, defense, and quality of life. Because threats against the system have hitherto been perceived as minor, little attention has been paid to its security. But the world is changing, as highlighted by dramatic incidents such as the terrorist chemical attack on the Tokyo subway in 1995. As a consequence, security concerns are now attracting more attentionâ€"appropriately so, for the threat is real, and responding to it is hard. Although the surface transportation system is remarkably resilient, it is also open and decentralized, making a security response challenging. Research and development can contribute to that response in important ways. Some important themes emerge from analysis of this strategy. First, a dual-use approach, in which security objectives are furthered at the same time as other transportation goals, can encourage the implementation of security technologies and processes. Second, modeling could be used more to develop a better understanding of the scope of the security problem. Third, DOT can play an important role in developing and disseminating information about best practices that use existing technologies and processes, including low-technology alternatives. Finally, security should be considered as part of a broader picture, not a wholly new and different problem but one that is similar and closely connected to the transportation community's previous experience in responding to accidents, natural disasters, and hazardous materials.

Terrorist attacks on surface transportation facilities in Moscow, Mumbai, London, and Madrid caused casualties and highlighted the vulnerability of such systems. The Transportation Security Admin. (TSA) is the primary fed. agency responsible for security of transportation systems. This testimony focuses on the extent to which: (1) DHS has used risk management in strengthening surface transportation security; (2) TSA has coordinated its strategy and efforts for securing surface transportation with stakeholders; (3) TSA has measured the effectiveness of its surface transportation security-improvement actions; and (4) TSA has made progress in deploying surface transportation security inspectors and related challenges it faces in doing so.

Terrorist incidents worldwide have highlighted the need for securing mass transit and passenger rail systems. The Transportation Security Admin. (TSA) is the primary fed. entity responsible for securing these systems. This report assesses: (1) the extent to which fed. and industry stakeholders have assessed risks to these systems since 2004, and how TSA has used this information to inform its security strategy; (2) key actions fed. and industry stakeholders have taken since 2004 and the extent to which fed. actions are consistent with TSA's security strategy, and the challenges TSA faces in implementing them; and (3) TSA's reported status in implementing 9/11 Commission Act provisions for mass transit and passenger rail security. Illus.

Surface Transportation Security: TSA Has Taken Actions to Manage Risk, Improve Coordination, and Measure Performance, but Additional Actions Would Enhance Its Efforts

Addresses a variety of challenges and solutions within the transportation security sphere in order to protect our transportation systems • Provides innovative solutions to improved communication and creating joint operations centers to manage response to threats • Details technological measures to protect our transportation infrastructure, and explains their feasibility and economic costs • Discusses changes in travel behavior as a response to terrorism and natural disaster • Explains the role of transportation systems in supporting response operations in large disasters • Written with a worldwide scope

A series in which relevant information is assembled into single, concise volumes--each pertaining to a specific security problem and closely related issues. The volumes focus on the concerns that transportation agencies are addressing when developing programs in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the anthrax attacks that followed. Future volumes of the report will be issued as they are completed.

Securing the Nation's surface transportation network requires a coordinated effort among all levels of government, the private and nonprofit sectors, communities, and individual citizens. While much has been accomplished to date toward securing this network, a highly focused, collaborative effort is required to identify residual risks and associated solution paths. This report presents the results of a collaborative process that produced recommendations compiled from participating stakeholders' individual recommendations for increasing the security of the surface transportation system. The Administration conducted the Surface Transportation Security Priority Assessment through outreach across the spectrum of government and private sector stakeholders in surface transportation security. The study identified a set of 10 issue areas to examine, obtained input from surface transportation sector stakeholders, and analyzed the responses to reach a consensus set of priorities and recommendations. Four themes guided this effort: (1) enhancing security and reducing risk; (2) improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal mission, organization, and program; (3) strengthening interactive stakeholder partnerships; and (4) employing a systems management approach to surface transportation security. This stakeholder collaboration produced recommendations that address policy gaps and obstacles, enhance coordination and unity of effort, and maximize the use of partner strengths and capabilities. To effectively engage stakeholders, gather their input, and achieve recommendations, the Federal Government utilized the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) Partnership. Owners/operators were represented by the four surface transportation Sector Coordinating Councils (SCCs). Federal agencies were represented by members of the Transportation Systems Sector Government Coordinating Council, which included representation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of Transportation. The State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) Government Coordinating Council provided input on local, State, and regional concerns. The recommendations listed in Table 1 and detailed in Section V are the result of this effort. They provide a comprehensive framework for the continued improvement of surface transportation security and identify discrete areas of focus to guide the decisions and actions of security partners in applying their respective capabilities. In this manner, benefits can be directed toward both the missions of individual security partners and the shared goal of sector-wide surface transportation security.