Protecting Critical Rail Infrastructure
Abstract
Terrorist attacks and accidents involving rail systems have resulted in death and destruction. The attacks in Madrid and London are good indications of the potential effects of a terrorist attack on the United States rail systems. Three years after the Madrid bombings, the United States has made little progress in securing its rail systems. This paper advocates that the United States develop a long-range, comprehensive, integrated National Transportation Strategy to address security of the systems and the demand to move more people and cargo. A background on foreign terrorist attacks in the United States and an overview of rail systems are included, as well as an examination of: a) terrorist threats to the United States and its rail systems; b) vulnerabilities and critical elements of freight railroads and passenger rail systems; c) Department of Defense s role in protecting critical rail infrastructure; and d) specific recommendations on what to protect first and how to protect it. Priorities for protecting rail systems are: (1) transit rail stations in the biggest, most densely populated cities with a history of terrorist attacks; (2) railroad shipment of hazardous materials through large metropolitan areas; and (3) passenger trains and other rail stations. Actions required to protect these assets are: (1) accelerated development of high-volume, walk-through chemical, biological, and radiation sensors to screen passengers and bags at transit stations; (2) rerouting hazardous cargo railroad shipments around cities with high densities of population; and (3) developing an integrated National Transportation Strategy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA595998
Entities
People
- Gregory S. Capra