Research Project Description

Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Support Screening: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Project Number: 2875

Project Objective

This project will provide on-going support to the Department of Homeland Security/Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Counter-IED Working Group. Drawing upon its detailed case studies of terrorist attacks on transportation targets and its computerized chronology of terrorist attacks on surface transportation, as well as its experience in preparing and conducting simulations, MTI will analyze the threat posed by terrorist use of IEDs, help identify and evaluate possible countermeasures, and prepare and conduct a simulation to explore responses to IED events.

Principal Investigators:

Brian Michael Jenkins, Director, Research Associate, Mineta Transportation Institute National Transportation Security Center of Excellence

Team Members:

Frances Edwards, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, San Jose State University

Dan Goodrich, Research Associate, Management Analyst, County of Santa Clara

Project Abstract:

According to MTI´s chronology of terrorist attacks against surface transportation, bombings are the terrorists favored mode of attack and account for a majority of all passenger casualties. Of particular concern are large-scale multiple explosive device attacks like the 2004 Madrid train bombings, the 2005 London Tube bombings, and the 2006 Mumbai train bombings, which together caused over 400 fatalities and injured thousands of people. The Department of Homeland Security´s Directorate of Science and Technology has identified the challenge posed by terrorists use of improvised explosive devices a priority area for research. Working together with Port Authority of New York and New Jersey transit system (PATH), DHS is supporting research on detection and mitigation technologies suitable for a mass transportation environment. MTI has been asked to support this effort, using its computerized chronology of terrorist attacks on surface transportation targets to analyze both terrorist attack modes and trends.

MTI also will assist PATH in the preparation and conduct of one or more table-top exercises to explore the operational and policy consequences of deploying new counter-IED technologies. Specifically, MTI will prepare a scenario, conduct a rehearsal, then revise and expand the plan for a full-scale table-top exercise. MTI will then prepare a confidential after-action report based upon participants comments and observations by MTI analysts. MTI will then prepare a general report (not specifically identifiable as the PATH exercise) that will provide a methodology and model scenario for use by other transportation operators.

The end products will be of immediate use to the Counter-IED Working Group, PATH as one of many transportation operators, to the entire community of transit operators and to government policy-makers at the Departments of Homeland Security and Transportation as well as other government agencies involved in the counter-IED effort.

Task Description:

Task 1: Review of Terrorist Use of IEDS Against Transportation

Task 2: DHS IED Task Force Support

Task 3:Table Top Exercise by the DHS/PANYNJ Counter-IED Working Group

Task 4: Interim Report

Technology Transfer:

Upon publication, on-line versions will be available on the Mineta Transportation Institute web site. The project experience and data will be available for transportation operators and public authorities. Authors also may submit articles based on the research to relevant journals and to present the information to end-users at conferences.

Potential Benefits of Project:

This will be one of few efforts that combines (1) detailed quantitative analysis of terrorist attacks against transit and other surface transportation targets; (2) unique subject matter expertise in detailed analysis of terrorist attacks, and; (3) the conduct of an exercise specifically focused on different scenarios involving IED attacks in against a transit environment.

The results will provide invaluable insights to one transportation operator in a confidential report so that they can incorporate lessons learned, and provide through a general report a way for all transit operators to review their response procedures.

There will be opportunities for further work and published research as MTI remains involved in the Counter-IED Working Group, and in preparing and conducting additional tabletop exercises for other transportation operators

Project Timeframe: November 2008–December 31, 2009

Project Funding: $161,698.00