Two leading experts in railroad security warned a rail industry
conference today of the prospect of future domestic terrorist attacks directed
at both passenger and freight railroads. It was also pointed out that significant
security vulnerabilities, coupled with funding shortfalls for infrastructure
enhancements, combine to make the rail industry a potential target of transnational
terrorist groups.
St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) February 14, 2005 -- Kim E. Petersen and John
P. Hart, both executives with US-based RailSecure LLC, a global leader in
passenger and freight rail security and counter-terrorism consulting, were
speaking before the Rail Industry Safety Conference, jointly hosted by the
Association of American Railroads and the American Short Line and Regional
Railroad Association.
Their presentation, “The Rail Industry as a Terrorist Target”, described
how hundreds of terror attacks have been leveled against the rail industry.
There have been over 181 attacks on trains and related rail targets worldwide
between 1998 and 2003, in such countries as Colombia, India, Spain, Pakistan,
United Kingdom, United States, and Venezuela. The most recent major attack
was directed against commuter trains in Spain on March 11, 2004 by persons
with ties to al-Qa'ida. In this most recent incident, more than 190 persons
were killed by 10 bombs placed on four separate trains.
US authorities have warned that they have unconfirmed intelligence that
terrorists operating in the United States have shown an interest in passenger
rail operations, as well as freight trains carrying hazardous materials.
During a discussion of past terror incidents, Petersen pointed out that
attacks against railroads are more numerous and deadly than those on airports
and airplanes. Trains have seen deliberate derailments, attacks by gunfire,
hostage taking, bombings, and even an attack with a weapon of mass destruction:
the use of Sarin gas - a chemical warfare agent - by members of the Aum
Shinrikyo cult in their attack against the Tokyo subway which killed 11 and
injured over 5,500 people.
Petersen concluded his remarks by making several recommendations designed
to mitigate some of the known risks. It was suggested that railroad operators
repair or replace dilapidated fencing around rail facilities; install security
lighting around facilities and critical infrastructure; replace garbage
cans at passenger rails stations with blast-resistant, transparent trash
containers to prevent their being used for concealing IEDs (improvised explosive
devices); install closed-circuit television systems to monitor facilities,
tunnels, and bridges; install signage to increase awareness about unattended
packages, evacuation procedures, and restricted areas; train railroad staff
to identify suspicious behavior, as well as packages or luggage, and improve
emergency response actions; and, educate passengers on the need for their
vigilance in spotting suspicious persons or items that could represent a
threat to public safety.
"In an industry that prides itself on its passenger and employee safety
record, significant work is now underway to address emerging threats from
terrorism and crime,” said Hart in closing. “Transnational terrorists have
already demonstrated a preparedness to attack commuter, passenger, freight,
and intermodal train operations. It is therefore essential that each component
of our rail industry complete threat and vulnerability assessments, and begin
the process of creating a strong security infrastructure that will provide
deterrence to terrorist attacks. At the same time, the federal government
must do a better job of allocating counterterrorism resources to the rail
industry. Each day trains carry ten times more passengers that commercial
airlines do, yet the rail industry has received only one percent of the security
grant monies awarded to the aviation industry. In light of the tragic events
of Madrid, quite clearly some changes in priorities are in order.”
About RailSecure
RailSecure is the first company in the United States dedicated exclusively
to railroad security and risk management. A multi-disciplinary company, RailSecure
provides risk consulting services (including security vulnerability assessments,
and design & engineering); risk management solutions (including project
management, procurement assistance, and management software tools); training;
and, rail guarding services. It also performs physical, personnel, and information
security training and certification to both industry and government. [www.railsecure.com
About Kim Petersen:
In addition to being the President of RailSecure, Mr. Petersen is also
the Chairman of Mobius Security Group, a diversified homeland security solutions
provider that includes such companies as Oceanix, SeaSecure, IntelligenceBrief,
RailSecure, and EnergySecure. Kim has over 25-years of experience in security
and anti-terrorism activities. His civilian career has included senior staff
positions with former US Secretaries of State Kissinger and Haig. He lectures
extensively and has been featured on such programs as CBS's “Sixty Minutes,”
ABC's “20/20,” the Evening News with Peter Jennings, the History Channel,
and National Public Radio.
He is a former Visiting Professor at the UN's World Maritime University,
a current Senior Associate Instructor at the US Federal Law Enforcement
Training Center, a Trustee of the Maritime Security Institute, and the Executive
Director of the Maritime Security Council. In 2003, the Secretary of Transportation
appointed Kim to the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council;
and in 2004, he was appointed by the Department of Homeland Security to
the Area Maritime Security Committee for Southern Florida.
About John Hart:
Mr. John P. Hart is the CEO of RailSecure, LLC. John has over 30 years
of distinguished executive experience in both the public and private sectors,
including over 20 years of elected office. John is the former Chairman of
the Board of County Commissioners of Broward County, Florida and Mayor of
the city of North Lauderdale, Florida. As a member of Florida's Board of the
Expressway Authority, John led efforts to establish a regional transportation
system in southern Florida. And in partnership with the Florida Department
of Transportation, he launched the Transportation Management Authority. As
Chairman of the South Florida Regional Planning Council, he was recognized
for significantly advancing the regional public transportation system.
In the private sector, John served as a vice president of Metcalf &
Eddy before being recruited to become the President and CEO of Aquagenix
Land Water Technologies, a publicly traded company. He later became a partner
and was appointed COO and Executive Vice President of the transportation
engineering, planning, and environmental firm of Keith and Schnars, P.A.
While at K&S, John was responsible for a 42-mile double tracking ($360
million federally funded) improvements project for the South Florida Regional
Transportation Authority's Tri-Rail Commuter Rail System. He has often been
featured in the media and has received numerous awards, including the Governor's
Award for Excellence, Legislator of the Year, and Florida Leader of the Year.
