Working Together in Partnership Towards Greater Transit Security

1
Working Together in Partnership Towards Greater
Transit Security
Amalgamated Transit Union Canadian Council
Conference on Violence and Security
March 10, 2006 Toronto
2
National Security Context

• National Security Policy - April, 2004
• Post-9/11, focus on highest risk
• Aviation security 2.2 billion
• Marine security 930 million
• Post Madrid London attacks major focus on rail
  and public transit security

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Transportation SecurityA Fundamental Pillar of
National Security

• Transportation system has been an element in many
  terrorist attacks
• As a target Air India and the Lockerbie
  bombings, the Achille Lauro cruise ship
  hijacking, the sarin attack on the Tokyo subway,
  the Madrid train bombings, the London subway and
  bus bombings
• As a conduit -- Ahmed Ressam
• As a weapon -- September 11

• No specific threat information, but Canada has
  been named by Al-Qaeda
• An attack on Canadas transportation system, or
  on the U.S. through our transportation system,
  would not only cause a tragic loss of human
  lives, but would also have significant economic
  and trade impacts

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Transit Background

• Increasing concerns about commuter rail and urban
  transit between Madrid (2004) and London (2005)
  attacks however these were not the first such
  attacks.
• 2004 to present Moscow, French rail system,
  Madrid, London

• Most experts suggest 10-15 of terrorist attacks
  target transportation.
• Approximately 85 percent of all significant
  terrorist acts conducted against transportation
  targets were directed at surface targets (e.g.
  rail, subway, buses, bridges, trucks) over the
  past five years.

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Passenger Rail and Urban Transit in Canada

• Passenger rail and urban transit systems include
• Commuter rail
• Light Rail Transit
• Subways
• Municipal bus systems
• Intercity passenger rail and bus

• Canadian urban transit systems
• 1.5 billion passenger trips per year
• 4 million passenger trips per day
• Canadian airports -- 78.7 million passenger trips
  per year
• Systems cities depend on moving passengers
  quickly, conveniently and inexpensively

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Many Partners

• Public Users
• Operators Transportation Workes
• Key Associations such as Railway Association of
  Canada, and Canadian Urban Transportation
  Association
• Railway companies provide federally regulated
  tracks for most intercity and commuter rail
  systems majors (CN,CP) have own police
• Municipal/provincial governments provide
  operating funding, legislative and other
  authorities provincial emergency preparedness
  responsibility / authority, policing, and first
  responders
• Public Safety Portfolio responsible for
  national emergency management, law enforcement
  and national security
• Transport Canada lead for national
  transportation security regulatory authority for
  rail security under Railway Safety Act

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International Consensus

• International meeting of Ministers of
  Transportation in Japan (January 2006) concensus
  on future security directions
• Sharing of best practices
• Promoting international cooperation on
  specialized RD
• Encouraging cooperation among government
  authorities, operators, and all relevant
  stakeholders
• Considering creation of international working
  group to facilitate sharing of best practices and
  enhance global cooperation
• G8 leaders outlined a counter-terrorist strategy
  in July 2005

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United States Actions

• Rail and urban transit security is one of
  Department of Homeland Securitys top three
  priorities in 2006
• Key accomplishments
• 2006 2.5B in general grants and 160M targeted
  to rail, inter-city and transit security
• Inter-agency anti-terrorism training program
• Surface Transportation Security Inspector Program
  
• Vulnerability assessments of rail and transit
  networks in high-density urban areas
• New explosives detection canine teams

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Other Countrys Approaches

• Australia
• Australian Government and all state and territory
  governments established National Transport
  Security Strategy and signed Intergovernmental
  Agreement to guide land transport security
  priorities in 2005
• France
• New police force dedicated to rail security
  established January 2006
• United Kingdom
• Department of Transport regulates
  counter-terrorist security on national rail
  network, London Underground and Channel Tunnel,
  and for security of dangerous goods in transit
  (mainly under Railway Act)
• Network Rail and Train Operating Companies
  responsible for delivery of security strong
  partnership between London Underground and
  British Transport Police

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Lessons Learned from U.K. Attack

• Clear focus on Business Resumption
• Clear roles and responsibilities established
• Importance of employee training to work in
  concert with emergency response
• Early communication with personnel and the public
• Video surveillance critical for investigation

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Rail and Urban Transit Security in Canada

• Legislation
• Transport Canada authorities under Railway Safety
  Act
• Covers federally regulated railways (VIA, CN, CP
  etc.) or provincial railways operating on tracks
  under federal authority
• No federal security regulations promulgated to
  date
• Urban transit generally under provincial /
  municipal jurisdiction (e.g. STM, SkyTrain, TTC,
  etc.)
• MOU signed between TC and Railway Association of
  Canada on Railway Security

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TC Rail Transit Security

• Post-Madrid - 2004
• TC expanded its security information-sharing
  network with major rail and transit operators
• Rail Security Policy Review expanded to include
  major Urban Transit
• Discussion paper and consultations with industry
  and associations anticipated Spring 2006
• Threat and Risk assessment (TRA) completed
• Information network activated immediately after
  London bombings
• Post-London 2005
• Threat and Risk Assessment re-validated
• November 2005, the government announced a 110M
  Immediate Action Plan to accelerate security
  enhancements, awaiting new government direction

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Rail and Transit Security Policy Review

• Comprehensive review of security in rail and
  urban transit sector
• Scope passenger and freight facilities and
  activities conducted on or related to railways
  or other guided systems, such as subways
• Key stakeholder discussions planned for spring
  2006, including labour, industry, shippers and
  other interested parties
• Key recommendations will be incorporated in
  Transportation Security Action Plan

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Transport Canada has also launched a
Transportation Security Review

• Why now?
• Answer The terrorist threat will remain part of
  our reality, with the transportation system one
  of its main targets
• We need to step back, take stock of past
  achievements, and look into the future, and make
  the right security choices based on a risk
  management approach
• We must continue to improve the security of our
  transportation system and its users
• Our transportation system is at the core of
  Canadas trade and economy. We must strike the
  right balance between the need for enhanced
  security, Canadian values and the efficient
  movement of people and goods

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Building Strong Partnerships

• Todays threats require countries to adopt new
  approaches and develop new partnerships with a
  broad range of actors to enhance transportation
  security
• Transport Canada is involving hundreds of
  individuals from both the public and private
  sectors

We have produced

• Updated threat assessment
• Risk management framework
• Risk assessment across modes
• Review of intelligence-sharing
• Future trends in transportation
• Technology overview
• International benchmarking
• Security overview reports for key sectors
• Aviation, Marine, Rail
• Inter-modal
• Public transit inter-city bus

We have engaged

• International experts
• Academics
• Other federal departments and agencies
• Transport Canada groups
• Provinces
• Industry and labour
• Extensive involvement in working teams
• Upcoming workshop (Spring 2006)

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Public Transit Inter-city Bus Working Group

• Draft Security Overview Paper on Public Transit
  Inter-city Bus Completed

• Overview of issue/sector
• Analysis take stock of current situation
• Identify Vulnerabilities Threats
• Propose Actions Strategies

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Some Suggested Rail Transit Priorities

• Regular transit Emergency Planning exercises
• Promote recovery plans
• Increase local inter-agency communications
• Increase information sharing
• Develop federal-provincial/territorial protocols
• Promote research into new technology
• Develop Security Management Systems and Best
  Practices
• New risk assessment tools

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Broader Transportation Security Themes

• Over-arching issues are emerging from various
  working groups and studies such as
• Increase information sharing
• Address key security risks
• Adopt a stronger risk management approach
• Build strong security partnerships
• Promote innovation and technology
• Improve emergency planning and response

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The Way Ahead Canadas first ever
Transportation Security Action Plan

• Spring 2006 Workshop with stakeholders
• Fall 2006 Finalise action plan

• Assessment of threats risks
• Clear definition of future national
  transportation security priorities across all
  modes, focusing on areas of highest risk
• Clear definition of the roles and
  responsibilities of various partners
• Action plan for the next 5 to 7 years,
  highlighting key priorities and concrete actions
• Directions on how Canada will address key
  security risks and important priorities

• Winter/Spring 2007 Public release