Surface Transportation: TSA Should Improve Coordination Procedures for Its Security Training Program
The global terrorist threat to surface transportation–freight and passenger rail, mass transit, highway, maritime and pipeline systems–has increased in recent years, as demonstrated by a 2016 thwarted attack on mass transit in New Jersey and the 2017 London vehicle attacks. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the primary federal agency responsible for securing surface transportation in the United States. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018 includes a provision that the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) review resources provided to TSA surface transportation programs and the coordination between relevant entities related to surface transportation security. This report addresses TSA’s: (1) allocation of resources to surface transportation programs for fiscal years 2017 and 2018; and (2) coordination within TSA to implement the Intermodal Security Training and Exercise Program. GAO analyzed TSA data on surface program resources for fiscal years 2017 and 2018, reviewed TSA program guidance, and interviewed TSA officials responsible for implementing the Intermodal Security Training and Exercise Program. This program is intended to assist transportation operators and others in enhancing security through exercises and training. GAO recommends that TSA clarify roles and responsibilities for all offices involved in the coordination of surface transportation exercises, including when these offices are to coordinate. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concurred with the recommendation.
- Record URL:
- Summary URL:
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Corporate Authors:
U.S. Government Accountability Office
441 G Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20548 - Publication Date: 2019-11-20
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 23p
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Coordination; Ground transportation; Implementation; National security; Resource allocation; Training programs
- Identifier Terms: U.S. Department of Homeland Security; U.S. Transportation Security Administration
- Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Education and Training; Security and Emergencies; Transportation (General);
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01723944
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: GAO-20-185
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Nov 30 2019 3:22PM