The Role of ITS/CVO in Homeland Security

Jeff Secrist

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

May 4, 2005

Session #26: ITS AND HOMELANDSECURITY: COMMERCIAL VEHICLE AND FREIGHT FOCUS

FMCSA and Homeland Security

FMCSA’s primary role is safety

FMCSA’s role with respect to homeland security is supportive

ITS/CVO and CVISN has the potential to support security initiatives

ITS/CVO for Homeland Security Workshop FMCSA and TSA co-sponsored the

“ITS/CVO for Homeland Security Workshop” Workshop held in conjunction with ITS/CVO

Deployment Showcase in Savannah, Georgina (February 23, 2005)

Over 120 stakeholders participated in the Workshop Motor carrier industry Government Academic Private sector

ITS/CVO for Homeland Security Workshop (continued)

Workshop featured presentations from: Transportation Safety Administration Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Federal Highway Administration JHU/APL (Customs and Border Protection and U.S.

Department of Agriculture)

Workshop highlighted by stakeholder breakout sessions Objective: Identify opportunities to leverage the

ITS/CVO program in the homeland security arena

ITS/CVO for Homeland Security Workshop (continued)

Sessions organized around six phases of an emergency Detection—collection, distribution, and sharing of

intelligence and other security-related information Preparedness—development of plans to assign

responsibilities for and mitigate the after effects of security-related or other incidents

Prevention—efforts to prevent future security-related incidents

Protection—identification and securing critical transportation infrastructure

Response—actions taken in the immediate aftermath of a security-related incident

Recovery—re-establishing safe, reliable, and secure transportation following a security related incident

ITS/CVO for Homeland Security Workshop (continued)

Two cross-cutting themes identified: Need to leverage existing ITS/CVO assets

Organizational framework

Technologies Transponder readers, centralized data

repositories, communication mechanisms

Need for improved coordination Coordination at Federal level (DOT-DHS) State level (DHS and DOT-states) ITS/CVO Demonstration Showcase at DHS

Stakeholder Recommendations for Detection Phase

Leverage existing data sharing infrastructure(e.g., SAFER, CVIEW, PrePass, NorPass, etc.)

Consider requiring all hazardous material routes be filed and approved by FMCSA and/or states

Study the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Bills of Lading Program as a model for linking carrier, vehicle, driver, and cargo data for a single trip

Embed smart-technology in commercial vehicle license plates and credentials

Support monitoring and enforcement of HM permits through the standardization of HM permits across jurisdictions

Stakeholder Recommendations for Preparedness Phase

Leverage existing relationships that have been developed through ITS/CVO program

Support development of “what if” scenarios to assist states plan and prepare for an incident

Support development of response protocols Evaluate potential uses of existing

communication network Catalog necessary response equipment in

advance of an incident and develop a plan to draw on this equipment, if necessary

Use existing data to analyze vulnerability to an incident and to identify critical infrastructure

Stakeholder Recommendations for Prevention Phase

Critical factor in security equation is the commercial driver

Single query to determine safety and security status of a commercial driver and vehicle

Increase training focused on identification of and proper response to “high-risk” security situations

Stakeholder Recommendations for Protection Phase

Utilize existing ITS/CVO infrastructure and on-board technologies to electronically track hazardous materials or other high-risk shipments

Deploy radiological detection devices at tunnels Develop a matrix to categorize all

cargo/shipments in terms of risks Consider ITS/CVO technologies when attempting

to maximize enforcement coverage/resources Implement/consider unannounced monitoring of

critical shipments

Stakeholder Recommendations for Protection Phase (continued)

Identify travel patterns that could be exploitedand monitor them, as necessary

Organize traffic monitoring centers to share data Analyze the use of commercial vehicle registries

as a “watch list” for high risk vehicles and/or vehicles of interest

Consider the development of a commercial drivers “watch list” and monitor appropriate individuals, as necessary

Incorporate biometrics into commercial vehicle operations to strengthen control over cargo/shipments once en route

Stakeholder Recommendations for Response Phase

Leverage ITS/CVO organizational connections to facilitate homeland security planning and response

Utilize ITS/CVO and CVISN databases to facilitate information sharing

Use variable message signs to notify public of necessary information and/or required actions after an incident

Stop bypassing trucks at all/appropriate electronic screening sites after an incident

Stakeholder Recommendations for Response Phase (continued)

Develop process to analyze operational data to determine active trips after an incident and identify vehicles that should be stopped at the roadside

Contact industry to determine active trips after an incident and identify vehicles that should be stopped at the roadside

Use traffic management infrastructure and civil emergency broadcast service to broadcast necessary information to public

Stakeholder Recommendations for Recovery

Leverage states existing response plans andprocedures

Identify and disseminate alternate routes to motor carriers, if a specific city or region is off-limits

Study the development of a public broadcast system (similar to Amber Alert) to disseminate specific security-related information to the industry and public

Use CVISN architecture to communicate information to states; while honoring states’ chain of command to roadside

Stakeholder Recommendations for Recovery (continued)

Pre-clear emergency cargo/shipments into areas impacted by an incident Allow all relief supplies to bypass inspection stations Expedite the processing of credentials—OSOW, IRP,

and IFTA—for all vehicles involved in relief/recovery effort

Use CVISN infrastructure to flag all vehicles from a carrier involved in suspicious activity and/or an incident and focus enforcement on these vehicles, if appropriate

Use CVISN infrastructure to flag all vehicles hauling a certain commodity type after an incident involving a similar commodity

FMCSA and Homeland Security

FMCSA has various research and technology projects underway that have a security component Hazardous Materials Safety and Security

Field Operational Test Untethered Trailer Tracking System Expanded Satellite-Based Mobile

Communications International Trade Data Systems

Purpose Demonstrate an approach that uses existing

technology to improve the safety and security of hazardous materials transportation

Quantify the benefits and costs of this approach

Accomplishments Final technical and evaluation reports are completed

(posted on FMCSA website) High-level Needs Assessment – address public sector

response to HM safety/security incidents, Apr. 2005

Next Steps Industry outreach and public relations efforts Additional research, development and testing of

emerging technologies

Hazardous Materials Safety and Security Field Operational Test

FMCSA Contact: Joe DeLorenzo(708) 283-3572

Safety and Security Assessment Analysis measures improved security through

vulnerability reduction Reduced exposure Provide a “menu” of options – different technologies with

varying effectiveness for different operational scenarios

Operational Efficiency Assessment Focuses on carrier based efficiencies from the use of

technologies – driver productivity, trailer and driver utilization, reduced call stops etc. Wireless-Mobile Communications; Vehicle and Trailer

Tracking; Panic Buttons; On-board Computers; Driver and Cargo Identification and Verification

Hazardous Materials Safety and Security Field Operational Test

Purpose Test and evaluate an untethered trailer tracking

system to determine how this technology can improve safety, security, and efficiency in the movement of high-value or high-security risk loads

Accomplishments Initiated 3-month test with 75

trailers and 3 carriers Pilot test completed, Jan. 2005

Next Steps Final evaluation report, Sept.

2005

FMCSA Contact: Amy Houser(202) 385-2382

Untethered Trailer Tracking System

Safety and Security Assessment The benefits of the system will be assessed in the

areas of cargo integrity, pilferage, trailer theft, and unauthorized trailer movement and disconnection

Operational Efficiency Assessment Cost benefit analysis will be assessed looking at

individual technologies Consider industry standard metrics such as fuel

savings, trailer utilization, driver efficiency, detention etc

Untethered Trailer Tracking System

Expanded Satellite-Based Mobile Communications

Purpose Test an effective, wireless satellite-based

communications tracking system to monitor hazardous materials and high-value cargo that will help eliminate missed calls

Improve wireless communications in current uncovered areas of the United States

Accomplishments Project has been initiated

Next Steps Pilot test, Oct. 2005 – Jan. 2006 Final report, Apr. 2006

FMCSA Contact: Amy Houser(202) 385-2382

Expanded Satellite-Based Mobile Communications

Evaluate System Performance Assess communication coverage and reliability Effectiveness of security features

Safety and Security Assessment Panic button, text messaging Vehicle tracking, trailer status tracking

Operational Efficiency Assessment Carriers Shippers/Receivers Government agencies

International Trade Data Systems

Purpose Create an integrated federal system for the

electronic collection, use and dissemination of international trade and transportation data.

Participants Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Other Federal agencies with border

responsibilities

Accomplishments FMCSA is the first federal agency to participate Concept of Operations has been developed

FMCSA Contact: Jeff Hall202-366-6560

International Trade Data Systems

Next Steps Pilot test – Blaine, WA Final approval for participation Begin deployment

Safety and Security Assessment Focus is on safety. FMCSA will be able to support CPB

security efforts with data if necessary.

Operational Efficiency Assessment Eliminates redundancy in border reporting processes Provides for single portal for submission of data Legal carriers will be pre-cleared for entrance into US Federal agencies can focus on high-risk carriers

Closing Thoughts on Technology, Safety, and Security

FMCSA’s goal is to promote technology that can benefit the industry and public safety/security.

FMCSA has a variety of research and development projects that have a security component.

Wireless communications w/ GPS is a base for safety, security and efficiency improvements.

There are significant industry/societal benefits to deploying wireless communications w/ GPS.

Efficiency drives private deployment and deployment levels are on the rise.

CVISN has the potential to support security initiatives.