Wiley Handbook of Science and Technology for Homeland Security, 4 Volume Set

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AS A SECURITY CHALLENGE

MICHAEL D. MEYER

Georgia Transportation Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

1 INTRODUCTION

Over the past 30 years, more terrorist attacks have occurred against transportation facilities and services in the world than any other target [1,2]. The main reason for this is that the extent and use of transportation systems make them highly valued targets, not only for the relative ease by which they can be attacked but also because of the highly visible and lasting psychological effect the attacks will have on the day-to-day lives of those who need transportation for their livelihood. For example, given the highly publicized attacks against the public transportation systems in London and Madrid, it is not hard to imagine that commuters in these cities will continue to wonder for some time if another attack is imminent. The important role that the transportation system plays in the nation's economy makes it a strategic economic target as well. Given the vulnerability of transportation networks to attack, providing security for the nation's transportation system is one of the most difficult challenges facing transportation and security organizations in today's world—and will likely to remain so in the foreseeable future (see, for example, [3–7]).

The purpose of this article is to define the context of the transportation security challenge as it relates to the characteristics of transportation systems. What are the characteristics ...