5.8 Transportation

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The transportation sector consists of several modes: aviation, maritime traffic, rail, pipelines, highways, trucking and busing, and public mass transit.

The aviation system consists of two main parts: (1) airports and the associated assets needed to support their operations, including the aircraft that they serve, and (2) aviation command, control, communications, and IS needed to support and maintain safe use of our national airspace. Table 5.9 shows security initiatives in the aviation sector.

Initiatives

Identify vulnerabilities, interdependencies, and remediation requirements.

Identify potential threats to passengers.

Improve security at key points of access.

Increase cargo-screening capabilities.

Identify and improve detection technologies.

The rail mode provides transportation for mining, manufacturing, and agriculture products; liquid chemicals and fuels; and consumer goods. In addition, more than 20 million intercity travelers use the rail system annually, and 45 million passengers ride trains and subways operated by local transit authorities. Table 5.10 shows security initiatives in rail transportation.

Tip 

Initiatives

Develop improved decision-making criteria regarding the shipment of hazardous materials.

Develop technologies and procedures to screen intermodal containers and passenger baggage.

Improve security of intermodal transportation.

Clearly delineate roles and responsibilities regarding surge requirements.

The highways, trucking, and busing mode is heterogeneous in nature. There is a multitude of owners and operators nationwide, and the trucking and busing infrastructure is highly resilient, flexible, and responsive to market demand. For the same reason, the sector is fractionated and regulated by multiple jurisdictions at the federal, state, and local levels. Table 5.11 shows security initiatives in highways, trucking, and busing.

Initiatives

Develop improved decision-making criteria regarding the shipment of hazardous materials.

Develop technologies and procedures to screen intermodal containers and passenger baggage.

Improve security of intermodal transportation.

Clearly delineate roles and responsibilities regarding surge requirements.

The United States also has a vast pipeline industry, consisting of many hundreds of thousands of miles of pipelines, many of which are buried underground. These lines move a variety of substances, such as crude oil, refined petroleum products, and natural gas. Table 5.12 shows security initiatives in pipeline management.

Initiatives

Develop standard reconstitution protocols.

Develop standard security assessment and threat deterrent guidelines.

Work with other sectors to manage risks resulting from interdependencies.

The maritime shipping infrastructure includes ports and their associated assets, ships and passenger transportation systems, costal and inland waterways, locks, dams and canals, and the network of railroads and pipelines that connect these waterborne systems to other transportation networks. There are 361 seaports in the United States, and their operations range widely in size and characteristics. Table 5.13 shows security initiatives in the maritime shipping sector.

Mass-transit systems are mostly owned and operated by state and local agencies. A city relies on its mass-transit system to serve a significant portion of its workforce in addition to being a means of evacuation in case of emergency. Table 5.14 shows security initiatives in mass-transit system management.

Initiatives

Identify vulnerabilities, interdependencies, best practices, and remediation requirements.

Develop a plan for implementing security measures corresponding to varying threat levels.

Develop processes to enhance maritime domain awareness and gain international cooperation .

Develop a template for improving physical and operational port security.

Develop security and protection guidelines and technologies for cargo and passenger ships.

Improve waterway security.

Initiatives

Identify critical planning areas and develop appropriate guidelines and standards.

Identify protective impediments and implement security enhancements.

Work with other sectors to manage unique risks resulting from interdependencies.

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