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Working to Create Secure Surface Transportation Systems

The Passenger-Based Surface Transportation Security Case Study aims to create a collaborative network of stakeholders, researchers, and industry partners to implement security measures and tools to protect the transportation system from catastrophic security threats. This collaborative network aims to create and implement security measures that will deter, detect, delay, defend, and mitigate security threats, while also providing a system that will aid decision-makers to make informed decisions in real-time during a security crisis.

Stakeholder Engagement

Creating a more secure surface transportation system begins with iterative dialogue with those who work daily to ensure passenger and facility security. SENTRY is leveraging the expertise of daily operators, practitioners, security experts, first responders, industry, researchers, and other stakeholders to better understand the landscape and security needs of surface transportation systems. Learn about one of our brainstorming sessions with surface transportation stakeholders by clicking below.

Surface Transportation Brainstorming Session

Panel Discussions

SENTRY has conducted and will continue discussions with stakeholders and security experts to obtain timely and accurate data about their day-to-day security challenges and future security needs. Hours of panel discussions have taken place to identify stakeholder security priorities and ways to address them. Current stakeholders and panel participants are:

  • Transportation Security Administration
  • American Public Transportation Association
  • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
  • Houston Metro
  • Los Angeles Metro
  • New Jersey Transit
  • New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA)

Site Visits

Visits to transit systems provide SENTRY researchers and subject matter experts with one-on-one contact and first-hand information from operators and practitioners. Site visits have begun with New Jersey Transit and will expand to additional transit systems in Houston and Washington, DC. Security challenges in surface transportation systems such as light and heavy rail, ferries, and buses will be addressed. During the site visits, emergency drills and tabletop exercises will be observed and it is anticipated that select transit systems will participate as test beds for SENTRY researchers.

Industry Engagement

The Industry Advisory Board will work closely with SENTRY researchers to introduce cutting-edge technology and industry best practices to enhance and augment research efforts.