Surface Transportation Security

America Under Threat: Transit Responds To Terrorism (PDF)
Passenger Transport Special Report, September 2001
This special report provides snapshots of recovery and response actions of public transportation agencies in the aftermath of terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It includes profiles of events in the New York City and Washington, D.C., regions, the Northeast, the South, the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, California, and Canada, as well as the American Public Transit Association response and summaries of transit response activities and fundraising efforts across the nation.

Assessment of the Proposal to Merge Customs and Border Protection with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (PDF)
Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, November 2005
This report discusses "the operations and functions of Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the role of the Border and Transportation Security Directorate with regard to those entities."

Border and Transportation Security
Congressional Research Service, March 29, 2005
Border and transportation security are pivotal in protecting the American people from terrorists. This three-part series of reports uses analytical frameworks to better understand and explain complex problems in border and transportation security and to facilitate the consideration of alternative policies and practices.

• The Complexity of the Challenge (PDF)
  This report uses a series of graphical presentations to form one possible framework that might assist policymakers in understanding the complex nature of border and transportation security.

• Selected Programs and Policies (PDF)
  This report addresses selected programs and policies now in place that seek to attain higher levels of border transportation security.

• Possible New Directions and Policy Options (PDF)
  This report addresses possible new approaches and policy options that might be explored by Congress.

Border and Transportation Security: Overview of Congressional Issues (PDF)
Congressional Research Service, December 2004
This report discusses the roles and responsibilities of various federal agencies engaged in border and transportation security activities. It also defines terms and selected concepts used in border and transportation security debates.

Border Security: Actions Needed to Strengthen Management of Department of Homeland Security's Visa Security Program (PDF)
U.S. Government Accountability Office, July 2005
This report evaluates the Department of Homeland Security's Visa Security Program in Saudi Arabia, whose goal is to review all visa applications and assist U.S. Department of State consular officers with interviews of applicants. GAO suggests that the operations of the program need further development and that a strategic plan needs to be created—defining the program's mission, priorities, and long-term goals—prior to expanding the program to additional embassies and consulates.

Border Security and the Southwest Border: Background, Legislation, and
Issues (PDF)
Congressional Research Service, September 28, 2005
This report discusses issues surrounding the security of the 2,000-mile Southwest border of the United States, including border inspections, law enforcement challenges and initiatives to thwart illegal immigration, migration patterns, border-related crime, commerce between the United States and Mexico (the second most important U.S. trading partner), and legislation affecting the Southwest border.

Border Security: Apprehensions of “Other Than Mexican” Aliens (PDF)
Congressional Research Service, September 22, 2005
The number of people entering the country illegally can present risks to national security. Individual terrorists and terror organizations could leverage illicit networks to smuggle terrorists or weapons into the United States, while the large number of aliens attempting to enter the country illegally may provide cover for them. “Other Than Mexican” (OTM) illegal entrants apprehended along the southwest border cannot be returned to Mexico because Mexico will not accept noncitizens. In addition, because of the lack of detention beds, OTM “illegals” have often been released within the U.S. interior with notices to appear pending immigration hearings. This report discusses the status of OTM immigration policy and will be updated as necessary.

Border Security: Consular Identification Cards Accepted within United States, But Consistent Federal Guidance Needed (PDF)
U.S. Government Accountability Office, August 2004
This report examines the use, acceptance, and purpose of consular identification cards (CIDs) issued by foreign governments to their citizens living abroad. GAO further analyzed the steps Mexico and Guatemala have taken to verify the identities of CID card applicants and the policies of federal agencies regarding CID cards.

Border Security: Fences Along the U.S. International Border (PDF)
B. Nuñez-Neto and S.R. Viña, Congressional Research Service, January 13, 2005
This report outlines the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's completion of a 3-tiered, 14-mile fence along the border near San Diego, California.

Border Security: Investigators Successfully Transported Radioactive Sources Across Our Nation's Borders at Selected Locations (PDF)
U.S. Government Accountability Office, March 2006
This report responds to a congressional request to investigate potential security weaknesses related to the installation of radiation detection equipment at U.S. ports of entry.

Border Security: Joint, Coordinated Actions by State and DHS Needed to Guide Biometric Visas and Related Programs (PDF)
U.S. Government Accountability Office, September 9, 2004
This report presents complete findings on the U.S. Department of State's Biometric Visa Program and discusses other aspects of visa processing and border security that require coordination between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Border Security: Key Agencies and Their Missions (PDF)
Congressional Research Service, Updated May 9, 2005
This report is a primer on the key federal agencies charged with border security. Those agencies are the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), which patrols the border and conducts immigration, customs, and agricultural inspections; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which investigates immigration and customs violations in the interior of the country; the U.S. Coast Guard, which provides maritime and port security; and the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA), which is responsible for securing the nation's land, rail, and air transportation networks.

Border Security: New Policies and Increased Interagency Coordination Needed to Improve Visa Process (PDF)
U.S. General Accounting Office, July 15, 2003
This is the second of two reports assessing the effectiveness of the visa process as an anti-terrorism tool. The U.S. General Accounting Office analysis concluded that the U.S. Departments of State, Homeland Security, and Justice could more effectively manage the visa process if they had clear and comprehensive policies and procedures and increased agency coordination and information sharing.

Border Security: New Policies and Procedures Are Needed to Fill Gaps in the Visa Revocation Process
Report
Congressional Testimony
U.S. General Accounting Office, June 2003
This report summarizes the policies and procedures for revoking visas on terrorism grounds, weakness in the process, and recommended actions for improvement. The congressional testimony discusses the report findings that visa revocation is not being fully used as an anti-terrorism tool.

Border Security: The Role of the U.S. Border Patrol (PDF)
Congressional Research Service, Updated May 10, 2005
This report considers recent and future issues that fall under the purview of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), such as drug smuggling, human smuggling, and human trafficking. It also covers efforts to combat these activities, including the new National Border Patrol Strategy, which emphasizes the interdiction of terrorists; the Arizona Border Control Initiative; U.S.-Canadian northern border cooperation; and civilian patrol groups. CBP staffing and training needs are also presented.

Border Security: State Department Rollout of Biometric Visas on Schedule, but Guidance Is Lagging (PDF)
U.S. Government Accountability Office, September 9, 2004
As required by the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act, the U.S. Department of State is implementing the Biometric Visa Program at all overseas consulates. The Government Accountability Office reviews the State Department's rollout of this program, including the Department of Homeland Security's role in the process through its Automated Biometric Identification System.

Challenges of Applying Risk Management to Terrorism Security Policy (PDF)
RAND Corporation, June 2008
Testimony submitted on June 24, 2008 for the record to the House Homeland Security Committee, Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection.

Defense Transportation: Study Limitations Raise Questions about the Adequacy and Completeness of the Mobility Capabilities Study and Report (PDF)
U.S. Government Accountability Office, September 20, 2006
The U.S. Department of Defense issued the Mobility Capabilities Study to identify and quantify the mobility capabilities needed to support U.S. strategic objectives into the next decade. The study found that projected capabilities are adequate to achieve U.S. objectives with an acceptable level of risk—that is, current U.S. inventories of aircraft, ships, pre-positioned assets, and other capabilities are sufficient in conjunction with host nation support, assuming planned investments take place.

Deterrence, Protection, and Preparation: The New Transportation Security Imperative (PDF)
Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, 2002
This report examines the characteristics of transportation systems and the development and deployment of security systems for each mode of transportation. It provides recommendations on strategic research and planning for the new Transportation Security Administration to safeguard all transportation systems.

DHS Realigns TWIC Compliance Date
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, May 2, 2008
DHS has announced that the final compliance date for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC™) Program will be April 15, 2009 rather than the original September 25, 2008 compliance date set in the final rule. The 7-month extension results from collaboration with port officials and industry.

DOT and Customs Launch "Operation Safe Commerce" Program
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, November 2002
Operation Safe Commerce, a program to fund business initiatives that enhance security for container cargo moving through the international transportation system, will provide a test bed for new security techniques that have the potential to increase the security of container shipments. The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection will use the program to identify existing vulnerabilities in the supply chain and to develop improved methods for securing cargo entering and leaving the United States. Security techniques that prove successful under the program will be recommended for systemwide implementation.

Electronic Surveillance Technology on Transit Vehicles: A Synthesis of Transit Practice (PDF)
Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, 2001
This report examines onboard vehicle surveillance technologies designed to address safety and security issues at public transportation agencies. Issues and shortcomings with surveillance are addressed, including financial, legal, maintenance, and procedural concerns.

Emergency Preparedness for Transit Terrorism (PDF)
TR News, May/June 2000
This article studies the emerging threat of transit terrorism, including a survey of transit preparedness, assessment of risk and vulnerability, and guidelines for response planning.

Emergency Shutdown Systems for Chlorine Transfer (PDF)
U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, June 14, 2007
This safety bulletin warns that some chlorine railcar transfer systems lack effective detection and emergency shutdown devices, leaving the public vulnerable to potential large-scale toxic releases.

Evaluating the Security of the Global Containerized Supply Chain (PDF)
RAND Corporation, December 2004
This report presents a strategy for assessing the effects of container security measures and evaluates current efforts to reduce container security risks.

Fact Sheet: Machine-Readable Passport Requirement
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, October 22, 2004
Effective October 26, 2004, travelers applying for admission under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must have a machine-readable passport. If they do not have one, their current (non-machine-readable) passport must include a nonimmigrant visa.

Fact Sheet: Rail and Transit Security Initiatives
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
This fact sheet explains the responsibilities shared by the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Transportation and other federal agencies and partners that work to secure the nation's rail and mass transit systems.

Florida Public Transportation Anti-Terrorism Resource Guide (PDF)
National Center for Transit Research, University of South Florida, 2001
This guide provides public transit agencies with information on resources available to help them improve system security and guard against potential terrorist acts, including federal and Florida counter-terrorism resources for public transit agencies, tools to help transit agencies develop or enhance security plans and procedures, and information on transit security and counter-terrorism training programs.

Guidelines for the Effective Use of Uniformed Transit Police and Security Personnel: Final Report (PDF)
Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, May 1997
This report presents the results of a study to develop guidelines for the effective use of uniformed transit police and security personnel, including recommendations and tactics to address parking lot crime, fear versus actual crime, maintaining a uniformed presence in stations and on equipment, and how to incorporate community policing philosophies into a transit environment.

A Guide to Highway Vulnerability Assessment for Critical Asset Identification and Protection (PDF)
Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, May 2002
This resource provides state and local transportation practitioners with guidance on conducting vulnerability assessments of physical assets such as bridges, tunnels, and roadways; developing countermeasures to deter, detect, and delay the consequences of terrorist threats to such assets; and improving security operational planning for better protection against future acts of terrorism.

A Guide to Updating Highway Emergency Response Plans for Terrorist Incidents (PDF)
Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, May 2002
This guide describes existing emergency management planning practices of state emergency management agencies and state departments of transportation and offers strategies for updating emergency response plans to address incidents of terrorist weapons of mass destruction.

Homeland Security: Key Cargo Security Programs Can Be Improved (PDF)
U.S. Government Accountability Office, May 2005
This report evaluates the U.S. Customs and Border Protection programs that address smuggling of weapons of mass destruction into the United States. More specifically, it evaluates the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism and the Container Security Initiative and makes recommendations for improvement.

Homeland Security Report No. 166 (PDF)
The Homeland Security Group, October 2006
This issue of the Homeland Security Report is geared toward informing industry and law enforcement professionals of homeland security issues. It includes the conclusion of the Boyd Cycle discussion, discusses the Coast Guard's takeover of air intercept operations for the National Capital Region, and discusses border security, and search and seizure.

Homeland Security: Risks Facing Key Border and Transportation Security Program Need to Be Addressed (PDF)
U.S. General Accounting Office, March 2004
This report identifies risks inherent to US-VISIT—an entry/exit process that enhances the integrity of the immigration system while respecting the privacy of visitors—and makes a series of recommendations regarding the planned scope of the program and its management system.

Homeland Security: Risks Facing Key Border and Transportation Security Program Needs to Be Addressed (PDF)
U.S. General Accounting Office, September 2003
The United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology program is a governmentwide effort to improve the nation's capacity to collect information on foreign nationals who travel to the United States and control preentry, entry, status, and exit of these travelers. This report identifies 10 factors that make the program a risky endeavor and makes recommendations for minimizing those risks.

Immediate Actions (IAs) for Transit Agencies for Potential and Actual Life-Threatening Incidents (PDF)
Federal Transit Administration, April 2004
This guidance document provides transit agencies with clear procedures that may help their employees prevent or mitigate a terrorist or violent criminal act. The procedures focus on protecting a transit agency's employees, passengers and patrons, and other people working in the vicinity.

Immigration Policy on Expedited Removal of Aliens (PDF)
Congressional Research Service, Updated January 18, 2006
“Expedited removal” is a provision under which an alien who lacks proper documentation, or has committed fraud or willful misrepresentation of facts, may be removed from the United States without further hearings or review, unless the alien indicates a fear of persecution. Expedited removal—an immigration enforcement strategy originally conceived to operate at the borders and ports of entry—is being expanded to other areas, raising a set of policy, resource, and logistical questions.

Improving Surface Transportation Security Through Research and Development (PDF)
TR News, November/December 2000
This article summarizes recommendations made by a committee that examined our nation's surface transportation system and proposed research and development strategies to improve transportation security. The National Research Council's full report contains the complete findings and recommendations of the study.

Improving Transit Security: A Synthesis of Transit Practice (PDF)
Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, 1997
This report examines approaches to improve transit security. It discusses 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 (both bus and rail modes).

International and National Terrorist Threats to Surface Transportation (PDF)
Canadian Security Intelligence Service (redacted), March 2003
This unclassified report analyzes attacks on surface transportation worldwide to assess potential threats. Conclusions drawn may be helpful to policymakers and planning and prevention specialists.

New European Union Security Rules at Airports: A Brief Guide to Help You (PDF)
European Commission, Association of European Airlines, and Airports Council International Europe, November 2006
Effective November 6, 2006, the 25 member countries of the European Union, as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland, implemented new regulations regarding liquids in carry-on baggage. As a result, passengers who purchase liquid duty-free items, such as perfume and liquors, will be affected, because many duty-free shops in Europe are located before the security checkpoint.

Observations on Efforts to Implement the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative on the U.S. Border with Canada (PDF)
U.S. Government Accountability Office, June 1, 2006
This report addresses steps taken and remaining to implement the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative by its statutory deadline of January 2008. It explains the challenges identified regarding documents that have been suggested as substitutes for passports for U.S., Canadian, and Mexican citizens when they enter the United States by land, such as at Canadian border crossings. Officials are concerned that requiring passports at these borders, which would cost an American family of four more than $350, will discourage spontaneous travel, especially for those who cross the border to shop or dine. The U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and State have proposed a less expensive document, the People Access Security Service or PASS card.

On the Ground: Protecting America's Roads and Transit against Terrorism (PDF)
The Brookings Institution Series on Transportation Reform, April 2005
This paper reviews steps that have been taken since September 11, 2001 to enhance the security of highway and transit systems, arguing that surface transportation protection has ranked lower in funding and program priority among protective actions. Several ways in which surface transportation security can be enhanced are explored.

On The Road to Transportation Security
Institute for Security Technology Studies, February 2003
In this report, the Institute for Security Technologies summarizes changes in security measures applied to aviation, maritime, and surface transportation since the September 11 terrorist attacks. Though improvements have been made, the report recommends the development of a dual-use security strategy that protects against terrorism while improving passenger safety, enhancing service efficiency and convenience, and reducing crime.

Passenger Rail Security: Enhanced Federal Leadership Needed to Prioritize and Guide Security Efforts (PDF)
Government Accountability Office, January 18, 2007
Rail bombings in recent years have revealed the vulnerabilities of the passenger rail system and other surface transportation to terrorist attacks worldwide. Based on a September 2005 report about passenger rail security and January 2007 program updates, this document addresses how the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has assessed the risks to the U.S. passenger rail system posed by terrorism; actions taken to enhance U.S. rail security; and security practices implemented by domestic and selected foreign passenger rail operators.

Passenger Rail Security: Evaluating Foreign Security Practices and Risk Can Help Guide Security Efforts (PDF)
U.S. General Accountability Office, March 29, 2006
This documented testimony provides information on the security practices that 32 domestic rail transit operators and 13 selected foreign passenger rail operators have implemented to negate security risks. It also examines certain funding issues surrounding domestic rail transit security, as well as steps the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Transportation have taken to coordinate rail transit security matters.

Passenger Rail Security: Federal Strategy and Enhanced Coordination Needed to Prioritize and Guide Security Efforts (PDF)
Government Accountability Office, March 7, 2007
This testimony before congressional subcommittees addressees the extent to which the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has assessed the risks facing the U.S. passenger rail system and developed a strategy for securing all modes of transportation, and the actions that have been taken by federal agencies to enhance the security of the U.S. passenger rail system.

Practical Security and Emergency Response Advice from New York and Washington, D.C.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA), October 2001
This document provides advice on establishing an emergency response plan, conducting regular drills and training exercises, and communicating with the public following a crisis. It is part of the FTA Safety and Security Tool Kit that includes resource materials for transit and public safety personnel.

Protecting Our Perimeter: “Border Searches” Under the Fourth Amendment (PDF)
Congressional Research Service, Updated May 17, 2005
This report addresses the scope of the government's authority to search and seize individuals at the border pursuant to the constitutional framework that encompasses the border search exception to the warrant and probable cause requirements of the Fourth Amendment. The varying levels of suspicion generally associated with each type of border search are also discussed. In addition, this report highlights some of the border security recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, recent legislative actions taken by Congress, and features of the “Minuteman Project.”

Protecting Our Southern Border Against the Terrorist Threat
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, August 20, 2004
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has taken a number of steps to increase security across U.S. borders during the period of increased risk leading up to the presidential election. CBP's protective measures include intensified activities in the areas of passenger processing, cargo targeting and inspection, nonintrusive technology inspections, and a number of initiatives to increase security along the U.S./Mexico border.

Protecting Surface Transportation Systems and Patrons From Terrorist Activities
Mineta Transportation Institute, December 1997
This report presents a chronology of attacks on U.S. surface transportation systems, four case studies of transportation security measures (in Paris, Atlanta, New York, and at Amtrak), security surveys of nine additional U.S. cities, and an annotated bibliography of resources.

Public Transportation Security Volume 1—Communication of Threats: A Guide (PDF)
Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, 2002
This report discusses approaches to improving the sharing of threat information, including an examination of current practices, operational needs, technologies for threat information dissemination, and system functional requirements. 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.

Public Transportation Security Volume 2—K9 Units in Public Transportation: A Guide for Decision Makers (PDF)
Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, 2002
This report considers the use of dogs as a strategy for coping with threats against public transportation systems. It examines current K9 deployment practices, issues to be addressed in proposing a K9 program, and implementation issues. It also discusses specific information on explosives detection.

The Public Transportation System: Security and Emergency Preparedness Planning Guide (PDF)
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, January 2003
This guide is designed to help public transportation systems plan for and respond to major security threats and emergencies. It emphasizes the importance of developing critical relationships, preparing strategies and policies, and setting training and funding priorities.

Railroad Bridges and Tunnels : Federal Role in Providing Safety Oversight and Freight Infrastructure Investment Could Be Better Targeted (PDF)
U.S. Government Accountability Office, August 6, 2007
U.S. railroad companies consider information about the condition of railroad bridges and tunnels and their contribution to congestion on the rails proprietary and share it with the federal government selectively. Freight railroads account for over 40 percent (by weight) of the nation's freight on a privately owned network that was largely built almost 100 years ago and includes more than 76,000 railroad bridges and more than 800 tunnels. This report discusses the condition of these bridges and tunnels and their contribution to railroad congestion, the federal role in overseeing railroad bridge and tunnel safety, current uses of public funds for improving railroad infrastructure, and criteria and a framework for guiding any future federal investment in freight railroad infrastructure.

Rail Security: Some Actions Taken to Enhance Passenger and Freight Rail Security, but Significant Challenges Remain (PDF)
U.S. General Accounting Office, March 2004
This report summarizes recent security reports on passenger and freight rail systems and points to several challenges that exist despite current safety efforts, including more coordination among stakeholders and using risk management principles to guide decisionmaking.

Recommendations for Bridge and Tunnel Security (PDF)
Blue Ribbon Panel on Bridge and Tunnel Security, September 2003
This report discusses the vulnerability of and economic impact of terrorist attacks on U.S. bridges and tunnels. It explains that attacks on U.S. bridges would result in substantial casualties, economic disruption, and other social ramifications and that losing a critical bridge or tunnel at one or several "choke points" could result in hundreds or thousands of casualties.

Report of the DHS National Small Vessel Security Summit (PDF)
Homeland Security Institute, October 19, 2007
At the National Small Vessel Security Summit, private, commercial, and government stakeholders discussed the security risks posed by small vessels in the U.S. maritime domain, including those risks involving international arrivals. This report presents the results of research and analysis conducted under the Homeland Security Institute's Fiscal Year 2007 Research Plan, undertaken with mutual consent by the Department of Homeland Security.

Report of the Official Account of the Bombings in London on 7th July 2005
Return to an Address of the Honorable House of Commons, May 11, 2006
Report into the London Terrorist Attacks on 7 July 2005 (PDF)
Intelligence and Security Committee, Presented to Parliament by the Prime Minister by Command of Her Majesty, May 2006
Government Response to the Intelligence and Security Committee's Report into the London Terrorist Attacks on 7 July 2005 (PDF)
Presented to Parliament by the Prime Minister by Command of Her Majesty, May 2006
These reports provide an official, unclassified postmortem investigation by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of the terror attacks on the London Underground and London Buses by suicide bombers, July 7, 2005. Police investigators and first responders in the United States may find that the observations and assessments offered by U.K. police, intelligence, and security agencies apply to similar situations that could occur in U.S. jurisdictions.

Secure Flight Report (PDF)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, December 2006
This report describes the findings of a review of the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) collection and use of commercial data during initial testing for the Secure Flight program that occurred from fall 2004 through spring 2005, conducted by t he Privacy Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The review was undertaken following notice by the TSA Privacy Officer of preliminary concerns raised by the Government Accountability Office that, contrary to published privacy notices and public statements, TSA may have accessed and stored personally identifying data from commercial sources as part of its efforts to fashion a passenger prescreening program.

Security Threat Assessments for Hazmat Drivers (PDF)
P.F. Rothberg, Congressional Research Service, January 25, 2005
Under the USA PATRIOT Act, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for conducting security threat assessments on specified hazmat drivers. This report summarizes TSA's threat assessment process, analyzes key public policy issues, discusses the current status of the program and a projected timetable for implementation, and outlines challenges in establishing and complying with the program.

Standard Protocols for Managing Security Incidents Involving Surface Transit Vehicles (PDF)
Federal Transit Administration, 2002
Focused mainly on the transit vehicle operator, these protocols are presented by category: prevention, unknown substances and suspicious packages, and response.

The Thin Green Line: An Assessment of DoD's Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative to Buffer Installation Encroachment (PDF)
RAND Corporation, June 2007
In 2003, the Department of Defense created the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) to help implement compatible land-use partnering projects with state and local governments and nongovernmental organizations to protect nonmilitary land and relieve installation encroachment pressures. This monograph presents RAND Corporation's assessment of the effectiveness of the REPI projects, identifies the main causes of encroachment, details the benefits both to the military and to local communities of buffering areas near installations with REPI projects, and provides recommendations for how to improve REPI's effectiveness.

Transit Security Design Considerations (PDF)
U.S. Department of Transportation Security, November 2004
This report provides an overview of the major assets of transit systems (bus vehicles, rail vehicles, and transit infrastructure and communications). It also addresses the topics of managing access and integrating systems, and includes a preliminary assessment of the transit system's vulnerabilities to various methods of attack.

Transit Security Handbook (PDF)
Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, March 1998
This handbook provides an overview of rail transit security, including development of a state security oversight program, establishment of a rail transit police or security department, development of a system security plan, deployment of uniformed and plainclothes police and security personnel, crime prevention techniques, use and management of security technology, and techniques for crime data collection and analysis.

Transit Terrorism Preparedness (PDF)
Boyd, Canton, and Grant Transportation Group, 2000
This presentation examines the changing nature of terrorist threat to transportation, current procedures to manage response to a terrorist incident, and how technology can improve response capabilities.

Transportation Security Administration's Office of Intelligence: Responses to Posthearing Questions Regarding Secure Flight (PDF)
U.S. Government Accountability Office, August 7, 2006
This report responds to the House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Intelligence Information, which requested additional information regarding the progress and challenges the Transportation Security Administration, Office of Intelligence, encountered while developing the passenger screening program known as Secure Flight.

Transportation Security: DHS Efforts to Eliminate Redundant Background Check Investigations (PDF)
U.S. Government Accountability Office, April 26, 2007
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has several programs in place for conducting background checks on potential transportation works to minimize the risks posed to national security. The Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006 required the Government Accountability Office to review DHS background-check programs similar to the one required of truck drivers who want to obtain a hazardous materials endorsement to eliminate frequent and repeat investigations. This report discusses redundancies and inconsistencies in DHS's background check programs and actions being taken to coordinate these programs.

Transportation Security: Federal Action Needed to Enhance Security Efforts (PDF)
U.S. General Accounting Office, September 2003
This report examines the roles and responsibilities of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) since TSA transferred from DOT to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Undefined roles create the potential for overlap, duplication, and confusion as both entities move forward with their security efforts.

Transportation Security: Federal Action Needed to Help Address Security Challenges (PDF)
U.S. General Accounting Office, July 2003
This report examines challenges to securing the nation's transportation system in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It focuses on actions taken by transportation operators and all levels of government and recommends future actions to further enhance transportation security.

Transportation Security: Post-September 11th Initiatives and Long-Term Challenges (PDF)
U.S. Government Accounting Office, April 2003
This testimony, presented before the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, addresses (1) the nature of transportation security before September 2001; (2) what the federal government has done since September 11th to strengthen transportation security, particularly aviation, mass transit, and port security; and (3) what long-term institutional challenges face the federal agencies responsible for transportation security.

Transportation Security: A Summary of TRB Activities (PDF)
Transportation Research Board (TRB), National Research Council, September 2002
This document presents a summary of TRB security research and activities (before September 11, 2001, and after), which emphasize risk assessment, prevention, technology, procedures and applications, and emergency preparedness and response.

Transportation Security: Transportation Security Administration Has Strengthened Planning to Guide Investments in Key Aviation and Surface Transportation Security Programs, but More Work Remains (PDF)
Government Accountability Office, May 13, 2008
Since its inception, the Transportation Security Administration has focused much of its efforts on aviation security, but more recently it has taken actions to secure the nation's modes of surface transportation. This testimony assesses efforts to secure both the commercial aviation system and the nation's surface transportation modes.

Transportation Security: TSA Has Made Progress in Implementing the Transportation Worker Identification Credential Program, but Challenges Remain (PDF)
U.S. Government Accountability Office, April 12, 2007
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is developing the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) to ensure that only workers who do not pose a terrorist threat are allowed to enter secure areas of the nation's transportation facilities. Specifically, this testimony addresses the progress TSA has made since it implemented the TWIC program, and some of the remaining challenges that TSA and the maritime industry must overcome to successfully implement the TWIC program.

TSA Expanding National Explosives Detection Canine Teams to Mass Transit and Commuter Rail Systems
Transportation Security Administration, September 28, 2005
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that it will expand the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program to include 10 mass transit and commuter rail systems.

The Use of Technology in Preparing Subway Systems for Chemical/Biological Terrorism (PDF)
American Public Transportation Association, Rapid Transit Conference Proceedings Paper, May 1999
This paper describes technologies that can be put into place in a subway system to save thousands of lives in a terrorism incident, including detection technologies and support systems. Early warning, rapid response, and engineered mitigation methods are key elements of emergency planning.

U.S.-EU Cooperation Against Terrorism (PDF)
Congressional Research Service, Updated July 12, 2005
This report discusses challenges that the United States and European Union face as they seek to promote closer cooperation among their police, judicial, and border control entities in efforts to root out terrorist cells and prevent future attacks.

Vehicle Inspection Checklist (VIC)
Technical Support Working Group (TSWG)
The Vehicle Inspection Checklist (VIC) is a 128-page binder notebook designed to help emergency and public government services organizations inspect vehicles that may pose a terrorist bomb threat. A Vehicle Inspection Checklist Training Support Package (VIC–TSP), which contains the complementing multimedia instructional aides, is also available.