For Immediate ReleasePress OfficeContact TSA Public Affairs: 571-227-2829May 4, 2004
The TSA today launched a test program to measure the feasibility ofexplosives screening for people and bags traveling on U.S. trains. Amtrak andMaryland Rail Commuter (MARC) passengers boarding at the New Carrollton trainstation will be screened for explosives starting May 4 as part of a pilotproject to make rail travel safer, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)announced today.
The goal of the Transit and Rail Inspection Pilot (TRIP) is to evaluate theuse of emerging technologies to screen passengers and their carry-on items forexplosives in the transit and rail environment in certain situations. Thepilot program will last 30 days.
"The TRIP pilot project is one of many steps DHS is taking to enhancerail security. As we test these new processes and technologies we expectto learn valuable lessons today that will allow us to better protect railpassengers tomorrow," said Asa Hutchinson, Under Secretary for Border andTransportation Security at DHS.
The TRIP study is a joint effort of DHS, the U.S. Department ofTransportation, Amtrak, MARC, and the Washington Metropolitan Area TransitAuthority (WMATA). The pilot is also one of the initiatives which DHSSecretary Tom Ridge announced March 22 to provide another tool for threatresponse capability.
Screening will be done by screeners of the Transportation SecurityAdministration, which is part of DHS. Amtrak and MARC passengers will bescreened from 5-10 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 3-6 p.m. onSundays. WMATA Canine teams will also be conducting random explosivesscreening of Metro passengers.
Amtrak and MARC passengers boarding at New Carrollton will be asked to placebags and other carry-on items on a conveyor belt for screening. A bag mayreceive additional screening as necessary.
Passengers will be asked to walk through a portal. In the portal theywill stand still for a few seconds and will feel several quick "puffs"of air. A computerized voice will tell them when to proceed. Ifnecessary, a person may receive additional screening.
Because the pilot program focuses on explosives, passengers will be able tocarry many items through the screening checkpoint that are prohibited onaircraft, such as scissors and pocketknives. Also unlike airport screening,passengers will not need to divest themselves of cell phones, keys, change andother metal objects before being screened.
"I know we can count on the cooperation of Amtrak and commuter railpassengers," said Rear Adm. David M. Stone, TSA's Acting Administrator. "Effective partnerships are the key to combating terrorism."
TRIP is expected to yield important data on customer wait times, theeffectiveness of screening equipment in a non-climate controlled environment,cost and impact on Amtrak and MARC operations.
"Maryland is honored to participate in this pilot program, which isintended to make rail travel a safer experience without sacrificing conveniencefor travelers," said Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. "TheState of Maryland stands firmly with the Department of Homeland Security and theTransportation Security Administration in this important endeavor."
Secretary Ridge, in his March 22 announcement, targeted three areas forenhancing rail security: Technological innovations, including biological andchemical countermeasures; threat response capability, which includes developinga Mass Transit K-9 Program; and public awareness, including educational programsto make passengers, rail employees and law officers more alert to potentialthreats.