Transportation

Live test of ePassports begins at San Francisco International
In second live test of its kind, four countries cooperate in testing ePassports, their readers, and the software which operates the system
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Unisys receives large TSA IT contract despite steep overbilling on early version of contract
Overbilling is not exactly unknown among government contractors, but Unisys “overbilling on a large (nearly $1 billion) TSA IT contract” the company charged three times per-hour than what it said it would surprised even jaded Washington veterans; still, TSA has just given Unisys another contract to complete the work it did not finish on the first contract (the work was not completed because the money allocated to it ran out; the money ran out because the company overbilled, etc.)
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Smith installs IMS EDS at three additional airports
Innovative EDS company installs IMS-based detectors in more of the country’s airports
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PierPASS to use active RFID to secure trucks at California seaports
Trucks entering two of California’s — and the nation’s — largest ports to be equipped with active RFIDs for added protection
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Promising Aussie company benefits from emphasis on explosive detection
We like restless, innovative companies, and this Australian company is intellectually restless and innovative company — and what also helps, is that it is in a growing homeland security subfield
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Travel industry says security requirements harm business
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Adopting an ostrich-like approach to maritime security is not a good idea
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GE Puffer Machine to be installed in forty busy airports
At times there is a mismatch between technology and how it is described: The Web page describing GE’s innovative puffer machine, an explosive particles detector, used to carry the header: “California Screening”; the juvenile header was removed, and the technology gains new adherents in the nation’s airports
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TSA looking for ideas on seals for air-borne cargo containers
TSA’s new emphasis on air cargo security leads it to seek information on cargo and package seals
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Truck fleet operators feel pinch of Patriot Act's stricter background checks of truck drivers
Trucks carrying hazardous material could be used as terror weapons, so DHS has imposed stricter requirements on these trucks’ drivers, but fleet operators complain it hurts business
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Chertoff plans to use state and local forces in fight against immigrant smuggling
In a controversial move, DHS wants to get state and local authorities more involved in immigration control, heretofore mostly a federal responsibility
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Cruise operators to offer on-line booking to comply with DHS new security requirements
DHS wants cruise operators to give it passenger lists at least twenty-four hours before the cruise sails; new on-line booking may help the industry meet this requirement
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Government, airlines tighten security to meet potential flu pandemic
Government and airlines are taking early measures to cope with avian flu pandemic; some critics say more needs to be done, but all agree that preparations are much better than was the case in Katrina
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TSA's Kip Hawley tries to turn agency around, but administration's starvation diet hampers effort
Management professor gives new TSA leadership high marks for effort, but says that unless administration puts more money where its mouth is, many problems will remain
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TSA no-fly list continues to be a source of waste of effort -- and embarrassment
More than 28,000 people were mistakenly added to the no-fly list; more recently, even toddlers have found it difficult to get on board
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