With that in mind, trade groups for the rail industry, trucking industry and bus transportation industry have all issued security precautions post-Sept. 11.
"Recent events have caused many carriers to reevaluate the adequacy of their security measures," said Ruan Transportation Management Systems president Tony Chrestman at a hearing on Defending America's Transportation Infrastructure before the Senate subcommittee on Crime and Drugs. "We have certainly made some positive changes, and we believe we are using all of the tools at our disposal."
Chrestman called on Congress to take steps to mitigate the impact of a possible terrorist attack on the highway system, he asked that the government help in facilitating trucking companies' ability to run criminal background checks on employees; giving the enforcement community more and better tools to combat cargo theft; directing additional resources toward land border infrastructure to facilitate more efficient trade flows; and improving oversight of the commercial drivers license program.
The Association American Railroads (AAR) has appointed Dennis Delk as executive director of railroad security. Delk was the director of mechanical inspection for AAR subsidiary Transportation Technology Center Inc., Pueblo, Colo. He has experience both in the military and in railway security.
"With our changed world, security has taken on added importance in the railroad industry," says AAR president and CEO Edward R. Hamberger. "Under these circumstances, we felt it was imperative that we have someone here at the AAR who could work full-time on security issues facing the nation's railroads."
On Dec. 6, the leadership of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and its Highway and Transit subcommittee introduced a bill to aid the private bus industry. The bill, which is a product of cooperation with the American Bus Association, establishes a $200 million competitive grant program to be administered by the Secretary of Transportation. It would provide funds to bus operators in order to upgrade security measures for buses, drivers and facilities.
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