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.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 23p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01723944
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: GAO-20-185
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Nov 30 2019 3:22PM