Publication Transportation Security. Volume 13: Public Transportation Passenger Security Inspections: A Guide for Policy Decision Makers; Transportation research record

摘要

Securing transit, passenger rail, and other surface transportation systems in the United States is an issue of major importance for government and transportation agencies. The attacks against the transit and commuter systems of Madrid, Moscow, Mumbai, and London underscore the vulnerability of public transportation and the necessity of providing security for the people who depend on it daily. Public transportation facilities and systems present potential terrorists with highly visible symbolic targets, which, when attacked, yield maximum effect and devastation. Transit is essential to the economy of a metropolitan region, transporting workers to their place of employment and residents to shopping areas, essential services, and leisure activities. Also, the very essence of public transportation providing open, accessible mobility to large numbers of persons makes it extremely vulnerable to terrorism. Passengers congregate in transit vehicles, on platforms, and in waiting areas with interminals, making them ideal targets. Accessing the system anonymously is easy, and leaving the system is just as easy. To protect their passengers, employees, and assets, U.S. transportation agencies have been conducting risk assessments, training employees and customers, and investing in a variety ofsecurity improvements. One of the security measures agencies have considered implementing is passenger security inspections (PSIs). PSIs are inspections conducted without warrants or individualized suspicion. Generally, such inspections are legally permissible only if they can be justified under exceptions to the warrant and individualized suspicion requirements of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. When individualized suspicion exists, inspections are subject to normal policing procedures.