U.S. beefs up security on railway systems.In the aftermath of the March terrorist attacks on Spanish rail and mass transit mass transit, public transportation systems designed to move large numbers of passengers. Types and Advantages Mass transit refers to municipal or regional public shared transportation, such as buses, streetcars, and ferries, open to all on a lines, the Department of Homeland Security Noun 1. Department of Homeland Security - the federal department that administers all matters relating to homeland security Homeland Security executive department - a federal department in the executive branch of the government of the United States is stepping up safeguards on U.S. rail systems. Many of these efforts began after 9/11, but they are getting more emphasis following the bombings in Madrid, officials said. "On the railways, DHS DHS Department of Homeland Security (USA) DHS Department of Human Services DHS Department of Health Services DHS Demographic and Health Surveys DHS Dirhams (Morocco national currency) now requires advance electronic information of commercial cargo, as we do for all modes of transport, and we screen high-risk rail containers through our National Targeting Center," Secretary Tom Ridge told the American Association of Port Authorities. The department also is preparing to use existing teams of explosive-sniffing dogs to develop a rapid-deployment, mass transit K-9 program. Under this program, DHS quick-response K-9 teams would move across the country, when required, to assist local law-enforcement agencies. In addition, DHS plans to offer training and assistance for local K-9 teams, and units from the Federal Protective Service--a part of DHS that provides security for government property--will be cross-trained for use in rail and transit systems. In another program, the department is working with Amtrak Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corp., authorized to operate virtually all intercity passenger railroad routes in the United States. Amtrak was created by Congress in 1970 in response to more than two decades of continuous operating deficits by privately run and the Federal railroad Administration The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) was created in 1966 as a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation to promote rail transportation and safety. The FRA is one of 10 agencies within the Department of Transportation concerned with intermodal transportation. to test the feasibility of screening luggage and carry-on baggage at rail stations and aboard trains. The initial program will be implemented at one station with commuter rail service. This pilot program would not resemble systems used at airports, officials said, but would test new technologies and screening concepts. Any program that is developed from the tests probably would not be implemented at all train or mass transit stations, but deployed in high-threat areas or in response to specific intelligence. DHS will work with industry and the Federal Transit Administration The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is an agency within the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) that provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems. The FTA is one of eleven modal administrations within the DOT. to improve passenger and rail-employee awareness programs. The department's Federal law Enforcement Training Center Noun 1. Federal Law Enforcement Training Center - a center in the Department of that trains law enforcement professionals for more than seventy federal agencies FLETC also plans to accelerate security-training programs for transit law-enforcement personnel. Since May 2003, DHS has awarded more than $115 million to state and local governments for improving rail and transit security in urban areas. |
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