A recently concluded pilot program in Missouri will help the Transportation Security Administration assess and improve the security of U.S. highways and motor carriers, TSA said Wednesday.
TSA conducted a one-year corporate security review, or CSR, to gather information on security practices, identify threats and vulnerabilities, and promote awareness among motor carriers.
The agency trained 40 Missouri Department of Transportation investigators to conduct CSR interviews in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, MoDOT, and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.
The study “marks an important step in helping TSA inventory the security status of the nation’s highway and motor carrier systems,” said William Arrington, manager of TSA’s highway & Motor Carrier Programs office.
“The results will help us prepare a future baseline standard based on a better understanding of threats/vulnerabilities, risks, consequences, and security action items,” he said in a statement.
More than 2,000 carriers were interviewed during the pilot program, with many telling TSA that the program heightened their awareness and helped them plan for security improvements, and provided them guidance and promoted public and private collaboration on security matters.
TSA said it is enhancing training materials, developing security related brochures and security measures, and setting standards in line with smaller carriers’ budget and time constraints.
The agency is working with CVSA and FMCSA to bring additional states on board to collect security practice data from hazardous materials carriers.
