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NYPD buys Smiths Detection device for city’s subway system
NYPD is beefing up chemical detection capabilities in the city’s subways, purchasing several hand-held detection devices from a leading manufacturer
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House panel reports bus and passenger rail security bill
Legislators complain that investments in bus and rail transportation security pale in comparison to investments in air transportation safety; a House panels is doing something about this imbalance
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SFO testing video analytics
Speaking of rail security, Congress may want to consider the use of video analytics — now under testing at several of the nation’s airports — in mitigating suspicious activity at rail stations
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DHS tests various weapon detection technologies at rail stations
The terror attacks on Mumbai trains reminded us, if a reminder was needed, of the vulnerability of public transportation; DHS conducts tests in Jersey City, Baltimore, and Atlanta for improving rail transportation safety
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Video analytics to protect railway tunnels
Another measure to increase rail transportation safety is the continuous monitoring of rail tunnels, a Florida company beings video analytics to the task
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Australian transportation system vulnerable to terrorist attack
A RAND study finds the Australian transportation system is exceedingly vulnerable to terrorist attacks, and that states do not do enough to increase security; an interesting point: RAND argues that reducing the lethal effect of explosions in trains would be a better investment than some of the high-tech security measures being pursued by states such as the CCTV systems
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L-3 teams with DHS in RSP program
New York-based L-3 Communications again joins DHS in its rail security program; this time around the program will be using L-3 technology to scan riders in New Jersey for explosives
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Rotterdam’s transportation system beefs up security
The events in London last year, and in Mumbai a couple of days ago, offer a grim reminder of the vulnerability of mass transportation systems; the city of Rotterdam wants its transportation system to become less vulnerable
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Ability to switch between fuels on-the-fly successfully demonstrated
One way to prepare for a disaster is to make sure your power generators can quickly switch from one fuel to another; a Connecticut company successfully demonstrates that it can be done
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Illinois joins TSA’s HAZPRINT program
Illinois’ DMV joins TSA’s HAZPRINT program which allows TSA to collect fingerprint and demographics for drivers transporting hazardous materials
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DHS funds for New York City are cut, but Long Island shuttle service continues to receive money
DHS cut anti-terror fund for New York City by $83 million, but a shuttle service connecting New York to the Hamptons, continues to receive funding for security improvements; some question the order of priorities here
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Explosive detection systems installed in truck weighing stations
A new market opportunity opens up for explosive detection systems: truck weighing stations
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DHS adds $10 million to antiterror programs of NYC transportation system
DHS received a lot of criticism for cutting more than $80 million from New York City’s antiterrorism grants; the department has now added $10 million to the city’s transportation system’s security plan
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U.S. Department of Energy pushes for cellulosic ethanol as an alternative to gasoline
Many experts doubt the scientific validity of the effort to create useable fuel for transportation from cellulosic ethanol (they suggest that a much quicker, cheaper, and more effective way to produce ethanol for cars would be, first, to produce it from sugar rather than corn and, second, to reduce dramatically the tariffs on Brazilian ethanol) – nonetheless the Department of Energy issues an ambitious roadmap for ethanol production from biomass
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Ryder offer RydeSmart trucks
One way to secure the safety of ship-borne freight containers is to lock them with tamper-proof locks, monitor the inside of the container for any changes and disruptions, and use GPS to track them all the way from port of origin to port of destination; Ryder now brings the same idea to monitoring the company’s fleet of 160,000 vehicles; these measures will go some way toward improving the safety of food supplies carried on these trucks from field to store
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