Security

The 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US as well as those in Madrid and London have pushed the issue of security up the political agenda. Security risks exist in all modes of transport and freight flows, and countries all over the world have attempted to react by strengthening transport security measures.

Whether a direct target, or used as a means of attacking other targets, transport systems are under threat. Broadly speaking, transport security risks can be classified as infrastructure or supply chain risks.

Infrastructure risks relate to terrorist acts in which the objective is to destroy transport infrastructure and disrupt transport operations.

Supply chain risks are those in which the terrorist act is aimed at misusing the transport supply chain to create damage or fatalities – perhaps by concealing and transporting explosives, radioactive or biological malignant materials, all of which could be easily disguised as part of legitimate shipments. Cargo transport is particularly vulnerable to terrorist attacks because of the large number and variety of operators in the sector, as well as the lack of controls.

There is consequently a pressing need to protect travellers, transport facilities and those employed in the transport industries against security risks. However, there is also a need to ensure that security measures do not impact excessively on the effectiveness and efficiency of the transport sector.

Ensuring the secure flow of people and goods from origin to destination, without unduly disrupting this flow, is a tall order. But with the help of ITS, the demand for both security and efficiency can be reconciled.

Real-time information on the movement of goods can help prevent dangerous incidents in an unobtrusive manner. For example, container tracking systems can provide anywhere, anytime information on the container using radio frequency identification technology with GPS location and GSM communications. Such services can report not only the location of the container, but also internal temperature, air pressure, speed and whether any doors are opened.

ITS solutions can also significantly improve public transport security. For example, so-called “intelligence vision systems” – enhanced CCTV – can automatically spot suspicious behaviour and alert transport personnel. Automatic tracking and alarm systems can also greatly improve response to threats.

Security-related initiatives involving ERTICO:

EOS — building a European security partnership for the 21st century