New website helps agencies manage surface transportation security

"The need to ensure the security of America's surface transportation system is a top priority for the FHWA," said FHWA Administrator Mary Peters. "We are working closely with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies to help state and local officials develop and carry out a comprehensive set of improvements to increase the security of our transportation network."

Peters said a key element in this plan is providing state and local agencies with valuable information that can help them to make wise decisions to improve security of roadway operations in their areas.

The new "FHWA Operations Security" website (www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/OpsSecurity) is part of the FHWA's efforts to help state and local transportation agencies develop initiatives to improve safety security through effective planning, operation and application technology.

A section on the website offers specific information on how to plan effectively for managing emergencies, how to align action plans with the nation's Homeland Security Advisory System and how to improve military mobilization on roadways. Roads are the primary means of responding to an incident. All emergencies and incidents have a transportation component, and roads are the critical means through which response and recovery strategies can be carried out.

An extra benefit is that many of the measures that improve security also improve transportation's ability to handle natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes.