By Ron Thaniel
April 12, 2004

Key Intercity and Commuter Rail Security Recommendations in Conference's National Action Plan for Safety and Security in America's Cities: Security — resources to cover costs such as bomb detectors, en route train security, satellite communications on trains, head-end surveillance, lighting, fencing, alarms, and access control for tunnels, bridges, interlockings, track, yards and facilities. Funds would also be used to hire patrol officers, security officers, specialized personnel and bomb-trained canine teams. Infrastructure Capacity — resources to enhance reliability and capacity for bridges, track, interlockings, facilities and power; build New York's Pennsylvania Station access and egress. Life Safety — resources to complete the life safety program in New York City and to rehabilitate existing Baltimore and Washington (DC) tunnels for ventilation and fire safety.

As U.S.MAYOR goes to press, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, chaired by Senator John McCain (AZ), has announced a markup on April 9 of legislation aimed at increasing rail transportation security.

The Rail Security Act of 2004 (S.2273) authorizes more than $1 billion in rail security improvements and would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Transportation (DOT), within 180 days after enactment, to complete an assessment of freight and passenger rail security vulnerabilities, including:

• identification and evaluation of critical infrastructure;
• threats to those assets and infrastructure;
• identification of vulnerabilities that are specific to the transportation of hazardous ¥ materials via rail road; and
• identification of security weaknesses in passenger and cargo security, transportation infrastructure, protection systems, procedural policies, communications systems, employee training, emergency response planning, and any other area identified by the assessment.

In the wake of commuter train bombings in Madrid and continued federal warnings that trains may be a target this summer, the legislation is immediate DHS and DOT recommendations for improving rail security, including improving the security of rail tunnels, rail bridges and rail switching and other rail infrastructure, including a cost and feasibility assessment of requiring security screening for passengers, baggage, and mail on passenger trains.

As part of the study, DHS and DOT are required to complete a pilot program of random security screening of passengers and baggage at 5 geographically diverse passenger rail stations served by Amtrak. The pilot would test a wide range of explosive detection technologies, devices and methods and require that intercity rail passengers produce government-issued photographic identification, which matches the name on the passenger's tickets prior to boarding trains.

DHS and DOT are required to develop a high or severe threat level plan in consultation with local and state government, freight and intercity passenger railroads.

The measure would authorize $679 million to complete Amtrak security and safety upgrades to its Washington (DC), Baltimore and New York City tunnels. Upgrades would include fire and life safety improvements, ventilation, electrical, emergency communications and lighting systems. The bill would authorize $63 million for other Amtrak security upgrades and $250 million for other rail security needs.

In a letter to Congress and the Administration on March 22, Conference President Hempstead (NY) Mayor James A. Garner urged the Department of Homeland Security to conduct an assessment of intercity and commuter rail security risk followed by the establishment of an intercity and commuter rail security grant program comparable to the port and mass transit security grant programs.