Transportation
Passenger rail systems continually face the threat of natural disasters and accidents—and terrorist attacks. Since 1995, there have been more than 250 terrorist attacks worldwide against rail targets, resulting in nearly 900 deaths and more than 6,000 injuries. That elevation in the level of terrorism in mass transit settings highlights the importance of enhancing transit security through training, improved coordination in both preventing and responding to emergency incidents, and other security-related actions. In fact, the 9/11 Commission characterized the Federal emphasis on aviation security spending as “fight[ing] the last war,” noting that “opportunities to do harm are as great, or greater, in maritime or surface transportation.”
Passenger Rail Systems Are Inherently Vulnerable
Passenger rail service has four categories: heavy rail, commuter rail, light rail, and intercity passenger rail. Each category shares certain characteristics that make them vulnerable to attack: (1) they make scheduled stops along fixed routes; (2) their operations depend on people having quick and easy access to stations and trains; and (3) the number of access points and volume of ridership make it impractical to subject all rail passengers to the type of screening that airline passengers undergo. The 9/11 Commission noted in its final report, “Surface transportation systems such as railroads and mass transit remain hard to protect because they are so accessible and extensive.”
To date, most transit agencies therefore have focused on minimizing the harm from an attack (consequence management). Consequence management efforts include vulnerability assessments; emergency planning; risk management; security awareness and emergency response training and exercising of transit personnel, ideally in coordination with first responders; and the purchase of communication and safety equipment.
CRA can provide innovative solutions to these transit agencies through our team of national experts in planning, training, and exercises.