BACKGROUND

As part of an agreement between AASHTO and the FTA Office of Safety and Security, the FTA agreed to sponsor NTI's development of an instructor-led course System Security Awareness for Transportation Employees. The course was based on NTI's successful System Security Awareness for Transit Employees. It was developed in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

The course focuses on providing transportation department employees, supervisors, and managers with practical knowledge and skills that will help them effectively carry out their responsibilities concerning operational and infrastructure security. The practices put forth in the program help"harden the target" for state transportation systems and assets relative to terrorism and enhance overall crime prevention efforts.

TASKS

Task 1: The delivery of the instructor-led course at State DOT's

Task 2: The development of an interactive CD-ROM version of the existing course

Task 3: The development of an interactive CD-ROM for state DOT supervisors on managing transportation emergencies

Status, Task 1: The National Coorperative Highway Research Program in cooperation with the AASHTO Special Committee on Transportation Security has provided funding for state transportation organizations to receive FREE System Security Awareness for Transportation Employees training. The funding is provided to meet the need for basic awareness training on security and terrorism. Front-line transportation department employees and their supervisors are positioned to be the "eyes and ears" of the community. They are often the most effective means for preventing and responding to security related incidents.

In order to effectively observe and report suspicious activity or security incidents, this training gives employees the basic tools and knowledge regarding where to look, what to look for, and what to report.

The objectives of the course are to provide employees with the skills and knowledge to:

• Define their roles and responsibilities in transportation system security
• Recognize suspicious activities and objects
• Observe and report relevant information
• Minimize harm to themselves and others

To accomplish these goals, the course integrates lecture, visual aids, participant interaction, and small-group exercises.

The course was developed by NTI in collaboration with the AASHTO Special Committee on Transportation Security, the Washington State Department of Transportation, and the New York State Department of Transportation.

Thus far, NTI has provided this training to state DOTs in New York, Florida, Missouri, Iowa, New Jersey, Maryland, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Texas. The agencies can customize the course for their employees or provide the training as is. For example, this course is an integral part of the Homeland Security Training that Texas DOT is delivering to its 15,000 employees.

DELIVERY OPTIONS : NTI will provide the instructor and student materials free of charge under the NCHRP grant funding. The requesting organization must provide the location and audio-visual equipment. The course can be delivered directly to the target audience by NTI instructors or as a train-the-trainer session. Participants in a train-the-trainer delivery will receive an Instructor's Package containing everything that is needed to implement the training for employees at their agency. The minimum class size is approximately 20. To schedule a FREE session, simply complete the NTI System Security Awareness Course Request Form. The course runs 3-4 hours for a direct delivery and 6 hours for a train-the-trainer.

For more information, please contact Renee Haider via email or phone as listed below.

Renee Haider
Phone: (732) 932-1700 ext. 223
Email: rhaider@nti.rutgers.edu.

NTI System Security Awareness Course Request Form


Status, Task 2: Completed. The final report has been published as NCHRP Report 525, Vol. 7.

Status, Task 3:  Canceled.

Status, Project:  Completed.