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EARTHQUKESDo Earthquakes Affect Car Crashes in the United States?
Researchers are combining data on earthquake shaking intensity, crowdsourced traffic data from the Waze navigation app and police crash reports to find out if car crashes are more likely during seismic events.
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INFRASTRUCTUREHeathrow Power Outage Exposes Infrastructure Vulnerabilities
The cause of Thursday’s power outage at Heathrow Airport, the result of a fire at the North Hyde electrical substation, is still not known, but it has highlighted several vulnerabilities in the U.K.s infrastructure.
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CHINA WATCHCalls Grow for U.S. to Counter Chinese Control, Influence in Western Ports
Experts say Washington should consider buying back some ports, offer incentives to allies to decouple from China.
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AIRPORT SECURITYReimagining Imaging at the Airport
The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are collaborating on Advanced Imaging Technology to improve the passenger screening experience.
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SUPPLY-CHAIN SECURITYThe Great Ripple - How a Tsunami Can Disrupt Global Trade
Shipping facilitates more than 80% of global trade, meaning disruptions to the global port network can have severe consequences for global commerce. Port disruptions are thus costly, very costly.
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CHINA WATCHDownsides of China’s Port Investments Go Beyond Immediate Security Risks
Chinese companies own or operate at least one port on every continent. These investments present more than immediate security concerns; they position China to fully exploit the economic potential of ports at the expense of other countries.
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CHEMICAL SECURITYPreparing our Ports for the Future of Alternative Maritime Fuels
Fuels like ammonia will greatly reduce carbon emissions—better for the environment, but are they safe for our infrastructure? The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently conducted a market research survey to assess hazards associated with alternative fuel production, storage, and transport at U.S. ports. High-risk ports could be the sites for future ammonia release tests that will inform preparedness and response.
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AVIATION SECURITYU.S. Grounds All Flights to Haiti for a Month After Planes Hit by Gunfire
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered the cancellation of all flights to Haiti for a month after two jets of U.S. airline companies were hit by gunfire while flying over Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince.
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RAILNew Piggyback-Tech May Revolutionize Rail Travel
Trains are safe, reliable, cost effective and energy efficient. They’re a great mode of transport in almost every way, except for one thing. The gaps between them.
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RAIL SAFETYCongress Should Empower Regulatory Agencies to Address Challenges Presented by Long Trains, Says New Report
Driven by cost and efficiency considerations, freight railroads have been operating increasingly longer manifest trains over the past two decades. The heightened safety challenges and operational demands of long freight trains require a combination of actions from major freight railroad companies
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AVIATION SAFETYStudy: Flying Keeps Getting Safer
Reflecting a “Moore’s Law of aviation,” commercial flight has become roughly twice as safe each decade since the 1960s; Covid-19 added a wrinkle, however.
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TERRORISMFrance Investigates 'Massive Attack' on Fast Train Network
French intelligence is working to identify who is behind acts of intentional vandalism on several high-speed rail routes. The incidents, which have led to a disruption, come ahead of the opening of the Paris Olympics.
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CYBERSECURITYEvaluating Cybersecurity Risks Associated with EV Fast-Charging Equipment
Engineers have identified cybersecurity vulnerabilities with electric vehicles (EVs) using direct current fast-charging systems, the quickest, commonly used way to charge electric vehicles. The high-voltage technology relies on power line communication (PLC) technology to transmit smart-grid data between vehicles and charging equipment.
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INADMISSIBLE MIGRANTSAnother Report Says CBP, ICE Not Detaining, Removing Inadmissibles Flying into Country
A DHS OIG audit found that a regional CBP and ICE detention and removal processes were ineffective at one major international airport, the OIG audit found. Between fiscal years 2021 and 2023, the report found CBP agents at this airport released at least 383 inadmissible travelers from custody into the U.S. who, under the law, are prohibited from entering the country.
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PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION‘Doom Spiral’ a Risk for Public Transit in Post-Pandemic Era
A new study warns that cutting public transit service could lead to a “doom spiral” resulting in a collapse of the system. The researchers describe a vicious circle in which service cuts brought on by budget deficits drive transit users away; this drop in ridership triggers additional service cuts, which lead to further declines in usage.
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The long view
CHINA WATCHCalls Grow for U.S. to Counter Chinese Control, Influence in Western Ports
Experts say Washington should consider buying back some ports, offer incentives to allies to decouple from China.