CASE STUDIES OF TRANSIT SECURITY ON BUS SYSTEMS

The purpose of this report is to provide information on a selection of bus transit security measures for use by transit systems in developing their security programs. The report examines the security measures used by the principal bus transit systems in each of four cities--Los Angeles, Detroit, Seattle, and Pittsburgh--and indicated the conditions under which they are most likely to be effective. Certain transit security measures are common to all four transit systems. All make some use of either a transit police force, or members of a local law enforcement agency. They also all use communications equipment installed in buses, and community programs or school programs. However, there are unique aspects to each city's program. Detroit has an undercover police operation which has been used as a model by many other cities. Los Angeles has several demonstration projects using sophisticated security equipment. Seattle has a stress-management program for its bus operators. Pittsburgh's system has a small police force which emphasizes a quick response to passengers' and operators' reports of problems as a means of heightening the deterrent effort. The report includes the following sections: an introduction to the problem of transit crime and the security measures taken to combat it; transit security programs in the four case study cities; a comparison of methods used to police bus transit systems; the surveillance and communications equipment used by the four transit systems; school and community education programs and training of operators; the comparative costs of security measures; the public's perception of transit crime; and the study's conclusion on the effectiveness of the measures.

• Record URL:
  • http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/publications/security/UMTA-VA-06-0088-83-1/pdf/UMTA-VA-06-0088-83-1_Case_Studies_of_Transit_Security.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  MANDEX, Incorporated

  1497 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 304
  McLean, VA  United States  22101

  Urban Mass Transportation Administration

  Office of Technical Assistance & Safety, 400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Hargadine, E O
• Publication Date: 1983-8

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 134 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bus drivers; Buses; Case studies; Communications; Community action programs; Crimes; Police; Public opinion; Security; Surveillance; Training
• Identifier Terms: Urban Mass Transportation Act
• Old TRIS Terms: Umta section 6
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Education and Training; Highways; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00382233
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTA-VA-06-0088-83-1Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: DTUM60-81-C-71098
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 30 1984 12:00AM