Federal rail security directive does not include screening

Jun 1, 2004 12:00 PM

Although baggage screening equipment is being tested in connection with railway security, the technology was not mentioned in the Department of Homeland Security's first rail security directive, released last month.

Instead, the federal directive instructs railway operators to designate security coordinators, remove certain trash cans, conduct periodic inspections and ask passengers and employees to report any suspicious activity. Bomb-sniffing dogs were also deployed.

The mandates have been implemented by 14 subway systems, 27 light rail operations and many commuter rail networks across the country.

More specifically, the new security coordinators are required to submit security plans to DHS for federal review.

Undersecretary for border and transportation security Asa Hutchinson also said the directive will increase coordination between local and federal rail security officials. He added that many of the railways had already implemented similar procedures in response to the Sept. 11 attacks and the recent Madrid rail bombings.

The security measures now in place are designed for the current terror threat status (yellow). If the level is raised, additional measures could be added.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had reportedly been looking at a range of technologies to check people and luggage, and even tested a system in Maryland in April.

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