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Featured Publications

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Balancing Environment and Development

Cover Image Western Riverside County's Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan -- a sweeping effort to protect endangered and threatened species while accelerating the approval of transportation improvements -- has made significant progress, but needs modifying to reach its goals in Southern California's changing economy.

Reorganizing U.S. Domestic Intelligence

Cover Image In the wake of 9/11, Congress directed the Department of Homeland Security to evaluate whether the U.S. needs a dedicated domestic intelligence agency, separate from law enforcement, to deter terrorism. DHS asked RAND not to offer specific recommendations, but to make clear what should be considered in the creation of such an agency.

Welcome to ISE

Public safety and other public goods increasingly concern matters of homeland security and science and technology policy. Recognizing these mutual dependencies and others that involve physical infrastructure and the environment, RAND has formed a new research division: RAND Infrastructure, Safety and Environment (ISE). ISE consists of four programs -- Homeland Security; Safety and Justice; Environment, Energy, and Economic Development; and Transportation, Space, and Technology -- as well as several centers and projects. More...

The RAND Worldwide Terrorism Incident Knowledge Database Project — May. 23, 2008 Radar map

The Terrorism Incident Database defines and categorizes terrorist attacks in order to help analysts, policymakers, and practitioners understand general trends in the threat. It is based on over 30 years of research by analysts at RAND.

iconVisit the RAND Terrorism Incident Database

Featured Research

A Framework for Planning Cost-Effective Rail Security Against a Terrorist Attack — Dec. 11, 2007

Train

U.S. communities depend on reliable, safe, and secure rail systems, but such systems are vulnerable to terrorist attack. A framework developed for rail security planners and policymakers can help guide cost-effective plans to secure their rail systems from attacks.

iconFull DocumenticonNews ReleaseiconResearch Brief

An Economic Redevelopment Plan for New Orleans — Nov. 28, 2007

New Orleans

New Orleans should craft a comprehensive economic redevelopment plan that combines public- and private-sector funding with a centralized structure. Total operating costs could run between $2 million and $3 million per year.

iconFull DocumenticonNews ReleaseiconTestimony

Stealing the Sword – Limiting Terrorist Use of Advanced Conventional Weapons — Nov. 14, 2007

Missile attack

Nations that are developing advanced weapons need to agree upon anti-terrorist strategies before production begins, or they risk letting terrorists acquire and use the weapons in attacks. Efforts should focus on making security forces aware of threats posed by the weapons and developing safeguards that would render weapons inoperable to anyone other than intended operators.

iconFull DocumenticonNews Release

Pennsylvania's Rail System Will Require Collaborative Approach to Improve Safety and Security — Nov. 24, 2008

railroad train

Pennsylvania leaders have an active role to play in coordinating public and private efforts to improve the safety and security of Pennsylvania's extensive and complex railroad system.

iconFull DocumenticonNews Release

Western Riverside County Habitat Conservation Plan Progressing, but Needs Fine-Tuning — Nov. 3, 2008

San Jacinto Wildlife Area, CA

Western Riverside County's Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan -- a sweeping effort to protect endangered and threatened species while accelerating the approval of transportation improvements -- has made significant progress, but needs modifying to reach its goals in Southern California's changing economy.

iconFull Document iconNews Release

Easing Restrictions on Deliveries to Postal Mailboxes Could Hurt Efforts to Keep Mail Safe — Oct. 23, 2008

mailbox

Allowing private courier services to deliver items into mailboxes could hamper efforts by the U.S. Postal Service to safeguard the nation's mail. Although the impact of such a change is likely to be moderate, it could diminish public safety and security by diluting the effectiveness of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

iconFull DocumenticonNews Release

Should the United States Establish a Dedicated Domestic Intelligence Agency for Counterterrorism? — Oct. 22, 2008

U.S. Dept. Homeland Security insignia

In the wake of 9/11, Congress directed the Department of Homeland Security to evaluate whether the U.S. needs a dedicated domestic intelligence agency, separate from law enforcement, to deter terrorism. DHS asked RAND not to offer specific recommendations, but to make clear what should be considered in the creation of such an agency.

iconFull Document iconNews Release iconResearch Brief

Alternative Fossil Fuels Have Economic Potential but Uncertain Environmental Consequences — Oct. 8, 2008

oil sands mining, photo courtesy of Flickr

Alternative sources of fossil fuels such as oil sands and coal-to-liquids have significant economic promise, but the environmental consequences must also be considered.

iconFull DocumenticonNews Release

Thirteen Short-Term Strategies Address Traffic Congestion in Urban Los Angeles — Oct. 2, 2008

Los Angeles traffic

A comprehensive look at Los Angeles traffic debunks common myths about the metropolitan region's traffic patterns and details the reasons why congestion is so bad — and why it will get worse in the coming years without significant policy changes.

iconFull DocumenticonNews ReleaseiconResearch Brief

Public Investment in Rail Capacity Expansion May Be Justified but Strategy Needed — Aug. 19, 2008

rail transport

The volume of freight transported in the United States is expected to double over the next 30 years. Greater use of rail freight could allow the supply chain to accommodate this increase while minimizing highway congestion and reducing fuel consumption.

iconFull Document

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