By Ron Thaniel
March 15, 2004

On March 11, ten bombs ripped through four commuter trains in Madrid during the morning rush hour, killing at least 192 people and wounding more than 1,400. Following this, transportation security experts suggest that the United States is not doing enough to safeguard against such attacks on intercity and commuter trains.

Underscoring the weakness in the transportation security net since September 11, 2001, The Conference continues to urge Members of Congress, The Department of Homeland Security, The Department of Transportation and industry stakeholders to increase rail security investment. This investment includes additional funding, technology and enhanced security screening guidelines as recommended in the Conference's 2001 National Action Plan For Safety And Security In America's Cities report. Those security improvement recommendations are in two strategic areas — equipment and infrastructure.

Equipment security recommendations include bomb detectors, en route train security, satellite communications on trains, and head-end surveillance. Infrastructure security recommendations include lighting, fencing, alarms, and access control for tunnels, bridges, interlockings, track, yards and facilities.

ARRIVE-21

A bi-partisan group of Senators is advancing the American Railroad Revitalization, Investment and Enhancement Act (ARRIVE-21—S.1961), introduced in November of 2003. The Conference supports provisions in the bill that strengthens rail security. The measures call for the Secretary of the Homeland Security, in consultation with the Security of Transportation, to access the security risks associated with freight and intercity passenger rail transportation and develop prioritized recommendations for:

• Improving the security of rail infrastructure and facilities, terminals, tunnels, rail bridges, rail switching areas, and other areas identified by the Secretary as posing significant rail-related risks to public safety and the movement of interstate commerce, taking into account the impact that any proposed security measure might have on the provision of rail service;
• Deploying chemical and biological weapon detection equipment;
• Training employees in terrorism response activities; and
• Identifying the immediate and long-term economic impact of measures that may be required to address those risks.

The assessment shall include a review of any actions already taken or prospective actions necessary to address identified security issues by both public and private entities.

Amtrak is currently operating on a heightened state of security nationally. Following the September 11 attack, Amtrak took immediate steps to secure its train operations and infrastructure for the safe passage of riders. Many of those measures remain in place today. Within 24 hours after the Madrid bombings, Conference staff met with Amtrak to discuss security steps and will be meeting over the next week with intercity and commuter rail stakeholders and the Transportation Security Administration to discuss immediate and long-term steps to improve intercity and commuter rail security.