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November 2004                                                                            Volume 7 - Number 2

Perspectives...

Perspective on Terrorism Risk to Mass Transit Systems

By Kia N. Braxton

3/11. Train bombings at commuter rail stations in Madrid, Spain. I remember images of the horror every-day commuters faced following coordinated attacks on Madrid’s commuter railways. The news stories that recounted interviews with first-responders, witnesses, and survivors were so poignant and full of grim detail. Little did these individuals know, as they drank their morning coffee, walked the family dog, or sat waiting for the next train, how much their lives would change in an instant. I felt such anguish for those involved as I watched the carnage unfold on TV, and I wondered – are the U.S. commuter railways ripe for a similar attack? I hate to admit, but the thought is always in the back of my mind.

Every morning, I commute from the Virginia suburbs to downtown D.C. on Metro. Some days, I observe Metro Transit Police officers patrolling the stations, guns at the ready, bomb-sniffing dogs by their side. Other days, I don’t see much in the way of obvious physical security measures in practice. It’s on these days that I wonder if I’m tempting fate with a ride on Metro. Yet, as an emergency management professional, I’m keenly aware of the fine line we must walk to balance the idea of “safety and security” with the desire for freedom and access. I would venture to say that in D.C., with its numerous high-value targets, that balance is particularly difficult to realize. Obviously, we can’t expect to pat down every single rider or search every single bag at each Metro station without seriously affecting tourism and the economy in this region.

Even so, I was encouraged to learn that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) are jointly supporting rail and transit security initiatives to protect the nation’s rail and mass transit systems. Reportedly, all major state and local mass transit and commuter operators have completed vulnerability assessments since 9/11 with Federal technical assistance. Major metropolitan areas (e.g., New York, D.C., and Chicago) have implemented protective measures, such as perimeter barriers, intrusion detection equipment, and an increased number of uniformed and undercover patrols. I’m sure all of these protective measures will do a great deal to ensure our rail systems can mitigate, prepare for, and respond to an emergency. However, I think our efforts to protect rail and mass transit systems must go beyond the physical protective measures and include targeted awareness campaigns and educational materials to highlight what the average citizen can do.

Metro recently launched the “Is That Your Bag?” advertising campaign, which encourages Metro riders to ask around for owners who may have left behind a purse, backpack, briefcase or similar item that could be hiding a bomb. It’s catchy and thought-provoking, and it suggests taking steps that are simple and effective. [Let’s hope commuters aren’t too consumed with reading the paper or talking on the phone to put the concept into practice!] Metro also has on its website links to a personal preparedness guide, as well as transit-specific disaster education information developed internally and by various agencies, including DHS and DOT. I’ve studied these materials and shared them with family and friends, and I’ve implemented some of my own personal protective measures, such as having a mini emergency kit.

There’s no doubt that terrorism is real, and that terrorism on rail and mass transit systems is a very real possibility. But I think it’s empowering to know that, however small, there are steps we can all take to protect ourselves as we take advantage of commuter rail services.