Effective transportation security requires a culture of security awareness akin to the culture of safety awareness. A security culture, like a safety culture, extends from the front line worker to the CEO of a transportation agency. Safety awareness programs repeatedly provide concise, memorable messages that can be delivered in many clever ways (e.g., use your seatbelt/buckle-up, don’t drink and drive, don’t be a distracted driver). Such safety awareness programs are most effective when they reinforce training. For transportation security, there are awareness programs such as Transit Watch and First Observer that reinforce the message, “If you see something, say something.” For the most part, however, these messages and training programs stand alone; they are not incorporated into routine training for new hires nor are they incorporated into routine re-training. Security awareness is needed for every person working in transportation, whether they are a planner who could be “designing in” security, a snow plow operator who can spot suspicious activities or materials, or a CEO who can continuously reinforce the message that safety and security are the highest priorities for the organization. Some transportation agencies have expressed the need for increased funding for transportation security training, especially since security training has not yet been mainstreamed into their budgeting and planning processes. Meanwhile, routine training for operations has already been mainstreamed and accepted by management as one of the essential components of providing transportation services and managing transportation systems. By incorporating security training modules into routine operations training, synergies may be capitalized upon and cost savings may be generated. More importantly, security training that may not have been implemented can be realized.

 

 

The objective of this research is to develop a guide for incorporating transportation security awareness into routine state DOT operations and training.

 

 

(1). Identify and review relevant practices, findings, and other information related to incorporating transportation security awareness into routine operations and training. Identify transportation organizations that have integrated security awareness into routine exercises, training, and operations. Review their programs and materials. Identify key elements of their training and exercise programs, including adopted language for policies, delivery processes, and metrics as they apply to the incorporation of security awareness. (2). Prepare a detailed outline for a guide for incorporating transportation security awareness into routine operations and training. Include references to existing documents and curricula identified in Task 1.(3).  Prepare an interim report providing the results of Tasks 1 and 2 for panel review and comment.(4).  Prepare a draft final report, documenting the entire research effort and including (1) an executive summary; (2) a guide for incorporating transportation security awareness into routine state DOT operations and training; and, (3) a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. (5).  Prepare a revised final report, documenting the entire research effort and including revised versions of (1) an executive summary; (2) a guide for incorporating transportation security awareness into routine state DOT operations and training; and, (3) a PowerPoint presentation.

 

STATUS: Complete. An interim report was received in April 2013. An interim panel meeting was held in May 2013. A draft final report was received in December 2013. A revised final report was received in May 2014. Published as NCHRP Report 793.