Rand Study Examines Passenger Rail Security

The Rand Corporation, a nonprofit research organization, has published a new study that provides rail security planners and policy makers with a system for coming up with cost-efficient strategies to prevent attacks by terrorists. The study, titled "Securing America's Passenger-Rail systems," was conducted by Mr. Jeremy Wilson, Mr. Brian Jackson, Mr. Mel Eisman, Mr. Paul Steinberg, and Mr. K. Jack Riley and is available for download on The Rand Corporation's web site. A paper copy of the 142-page report is also available, for purchase, from The Rand Corporation web site.

According to Rand, in excess of 12 million American citizens utilize the nation's passenger-rail system each day. Attacks against rail infrastructure around the world demonstrate that America's rail system is susceptible to attack by terrorists. The newly released Rand study details nearly 20 options for improving security on America's passenger-rail system and how likely they are to be effective if employed.

Jeremy Wilson, lead author of the study, says, "Millions ride the nation's railways every day, and it is critical to protect them from terrorist attacks. But we need ways to do so while getting the most for the money we invest. By design, rail systems are open and accessible by large numbers of people, and for this reason are difficult to secure."

The study provides a framework, Rand says, for passenger-rail officials to conduct an assessment of current systems and figure out the best route for making improvements. The study used a generic system typical of passenger-rail systems in American cities so that current security details would not be revealed. Brian Jackson, co-author of the report, says, "Rather than providing a static defense, security planners should review their plans regularly to ensure that they remain relevant to any changes in the terrorists' targeting methods."