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Transportation Security

Attacks on a country's transportation infrastructure can have serious and destabilizing impacts that are further complicated by the public availability of information relevant to these targets. Recognizing the potential damage of such attacks, RAND conducts research and provides essential planning and vulnerability assessment tools to public and private organizations from metropolitan transit authorities to airlines and rail companies.

Report
Risk-Informed Analysis of Transportation Worker Identification Credential Reader Requirements
This report assesses the cost-effectiveness of a U.S. Coast Guard rule that requires any facility handling certain dangerous cargoes to biometrically verify the identity of anyone accessing a secure area of that facility.
Nov 10, 2022
Journal Article
Technologies for Primary Screening in Aviation Security
The article examines technologies currently in use and emerging technologies with potential for use in the primary screening of carry-on baggage, checked baggage and air cargo.
Jul 21, 2022
Commentary
Airline Security Through Artificial Intelligence: How the Transportation Security Administration Can Use Machine Learning to Improve the Electronic Baggage Screening Program
The Transportation Security Administration screens all checked baggage at airports. The authors of this Perspective describe the current state, challenges, and outlook of artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve this screening process.
Mar 22, 2022
Commentary
The Suez Grounding Was an Accident. The Next Blocked Chokepoint Might Not Be
The recent spectacle of a hulking container ship wedged into the Suez Canal is a reminder of how vulnerable maritime transportation is to blocked chokepoints. The fragility of maritime lifelines may encourage the use of this tactic in future conflict.
Mar 30, 2021
Journal Article
Infrastructure Resilience to Navigate Increasingly Uncertain and Complex Conditions in the Anthropocene
Resilience theory can help infrastructure managers navigate increasing complexity of the systems and environments in which they operate.
Mar 4, 2021
Report
The Risk-Mitigation Value of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential: A Comprehensive Security Assessment of the TWIC Program
The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) is designed to enhance security at U.S. ports. This report provides the findings from an assessment of the TWIC program, along with the assessors' recommendations.
May 13, 2020
Multimedia
Built to Last: Planning and Funding Resilient Infrastructure
Debra Knopman and Sarah Weilant discuss current and historical congressional spending on infrastructure, four key elements for building resilience into transportation projects, and recommendations for policymakers.
Dec 6, 2019
Report
Incorporating Resilience into Transportation Planning
A resilient transportation system is one in which critical assets are not exposed to hazards or, if they are, there is sufficient capacity to mitigate the negative effects. How can transportation planners better incorporate resilience into their decisionmaking?
Oct 16, 2019
Commentary
Why AV Safety and Cybersecurity Need to Be Pursued in Tandem
Safety and cybersecurity are generally pursued by separate teams within autonomous vehicle companies. A joint approach to standards could optimize safety and cybersecurity and reduce overall risks to autonomous vehicle operation.
Mar 20, 2019
Commentary
Shutdown Could Provide Opening for Adversaries to Corrupt Those Protecting the U.S. Homeland
Every day that the government shutdown continues prolongs the financial hardship for those on the front lines protecting the United States and gives cartels and transnational criminal organizations an opening to try to corrupt the DHS ranks. As negotiations continue to stall, the Trump administration and Congress should consider taking steps to guard against this vulnerability.
Jan 22, 2019
Multimedia
New TSA Administrator Discusses Global Aviation Security
In this Events @ RAND podcast, TSA Administrator David Pekoske joins Brian Michael Jenkins for a discussion about the TSA's strategy and approach to operations in the face of evolving threats to transportation from terrorist groups and the individuals they inspire.
Nov 29, 2017
Commentary
How to Harden America's Soft Targets
The U.S. government must choose where to apply limited resources to defend soft targets. But it could expand its information-sharing efforts with other governments and local law enforcement. Broad intelligence sharing and more training could help identify potential attackers before they can execute their plans.
Jul 5, 2017
News Release
Ukraine's Security Sector Needs Substantial Reform
An assessment of Ukraine's security sector determines what different institutions need to do and where gaps exist. Roles and responsibilities need to be clarified, and coordination is needed among individual ministries and agencies.
Oct 5, 2016
Essay
Election 2016: The Domestic Issues
RAND offers a unique take on the big domestic issues facing America: research that is independent, reliable, and rigorously nonpartisan.
Oct 3, 2016
Periodical
RAND Review: July-August 2016
This issue highlights the stress of military deployments and resilience of military families; RAND research on cybercrime, network defense, and data breaches; the 40th anniversary of RAND's landmark Health Insurance Experiment; and more.
Jun 27, 2016
Commentary
Terrorism Shouldn't Affect Travel Plans
Evidence suggests that the threat of terrorism need not affect individuals' behavior and travel decisions, not even in the wake of attacks such as those in Brussels and Paris.
May 21, 2016
Commentary
Out of Line: How to Better Protect Airports from Terrorist Attacks
In airport security, it's not the size of a potential terrorist bomb that matters most, it's where it detonates. Fortunately, new technologies may present opportunities to get travelers out of line and keep them safe.
May 2, 2016
Commentary
The Police Could Be Controlling Your Self-Driving Car
As self-driving cars become widespread, one of the biggest issues will be the rules under which public infrastructures and public safety officers may be empowered to override how autonomous vehicles are controlled.
Apr 4, 2016
Testimony
Perspective on 2015 DoD Cyber Strategy: Addendum
Document submitted on February 23, 2016 as an addendum to testimony presented before the House Armed Services Committee on September 29, 2015.
Feb 26, 2016
Report
The National Security Implications of Virtual Currency
Could a non-state actor deploy a virtual currency to disrupt sovereignty and increase its political or economic power? How might a government or organization successfully disrupt such a deployment?
Dec 16, 2015

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Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Joseph C. Chang

Senior Physical Scientist

Joseph Chang is a senior physical scientist at RAND. He has more than 30 years of experience in diverse technical areas, including border security, immigration, chemical security, transportation security, infrastructure protection, risk assessment, operational analysis, analysis of alternatives,…
Paul Brenner

Senior Management Scientist

Paul Brenner is a senior management scientist at the RAND Corporation. He focuses on government’s management of science and technology, including best practices for technology development, acquisition programs, R&D portfolio management, program evaluation, and risk management. He has supported…

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