Homeland Logistics
Homeland Logistics and Transportation Security
Tens of millions of tons of toxic chemicals, radioactive nuclear waste, commercial explosives, flammable gasoline and other hazardous materials are transported every year by trucks and trains across North America’s cities and countryside. Since September 11, 2001, little has been done to secure shipments from attacks by terrorists, which could, in the worst case scenario, expose cities to leaks of deadly chemicals or explosions. This type of act could compromise homeland security and kill or seriously injure thousands, possibly even millions, of citizens.
Transportation Security Threats
While commercial aviation remains a possible target, terrorists may turn their attention to other modes. Opportunities to do harm are as great, or greater, in maritime or surface transportation. Every day, up to 76,000 tanker trucks carrying hazardous cargo travel across the United States. A typical gasoline tanker truck carries as much fuel as the planes that hit the World Trade Center.
Terrorists have used trucks filled with explosives in some of the worst terrorist attacks in history, including the 1998 Africa embassy bombings and the first World Trade Center attack in 1993. The 1993 Oklahoma City domestic terrorism attack by Timothy McVeigh killed hundreds and destroyed a federal building with a truck carrying common agricultural chemicals. Thousands of commercial trucks on the road carry more hazardous materials every day than any of the trucks used in those previous notorious attacks.
The scenario for sea-going containers is even more daunting. Over 20 million freight containers are currently circulating the world with about seven million of them passing through U.S. ports every year. Only about 2% of these are physically inspected. Security concerns run high that these containers may harbor terrorists, explosives, or other hazardous materials.
Department of Transportation and Department of Homeland Security Programs
A programs initiated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration within the Dept. of Transportation tests the feasibility of technologies and systems that may reduce the risk of terrorist attacks. Testing was conducted on real-time tracking of hazardous cargo, emergency warning systems, identification of off-course vehicles in comprising locations, and the ability to remotely intercept (stop or slow) a vehicle that provides a threat.
While the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other governments have taken preliminary steps through programs such as CTPAT, Container Security Initiative and Operation Safe Commerce to ensure the security of cargo entering and being transported within its borders, transportation security and homeland logistics remains a concern.
Safefreight – Your Homeland Security Transportation Specialist
Safefreight Technology has developed a system that provides complete situational awareness and control of fleet assets to mitigate security threats related to transportation. Through this system, critical security and location information is gathered through the vehicle or container-mounted SecurityGuard™ smart device. This information is communicated wirelessly (either by cellular or satellite) and served to the customer’s desktop through Safefreight’s Internet application – SmartFleet® Manager. Together, SecurityGuard™ and SmartFleet® Manager provide security, tracking, monitoring, control and reporting capability for dry van and tank trailers, the power units that haul them and intermodal containers.
With its unique, patented combination of rugged hardware and sophisticated software, the SmartFleet® system provides a mobile asset security and fleet management solution to help meet the business and security objectives of North America’s transporters. By consulting one of our technical specialists, we will work with you to develop a strategy that meets your business needs.