For rail systems to be efficient and functional, they also have to create some vulnerabilities. That’s why we look to transportation security systems.
We tend not to think of trains as being a security concern—instead, our concerns often turn towards airplanes and even road vehicles. Beyond urban transit systems with high traffic, such as New York City’s subway system, most people don’t think much about train security. The reality is, all trains are inherently vulnerable to security threats. This has created a need for reliable transportation security systems but to properly implement such systems, we must first understand why and how trains have become such a vulnerability.
Freight Trains
It’s easy to underestimate the sheer number of railways around the world. In the United States alone, there are over 100,000 miles of rail—freight trains are often the veins of a nation, connecting major cities, trade ports, and is an essential part of the infrastructure. Access to information about these trains, including their schedules, is sometimes available publicly. What’s more concerning these days are data breaches, in which a terrorist may gain knowledge about what sensitive materials are being shipped where and plan an attack around that information.
Passenger Trains
The same things that make passenger trains effective for end-users also makes them vulnerable targets. For passenger trains to effectively benefit the public, they have to focus on being reliable. This means consistently having the ability to be filled to capacity and transport a large number of individuals at one time. It also means reliably showing up to the right locations at the right time. This easily accessible information makes passenger trains a viable target for attacks as well.
An Answer: Transportation Security Systems
While the major vulnerabilities that exist in the use of railways are inherent, there are certain measures that can lessen those risks. The use of transportation security systems can be incredibly useful but the nature of railway systems means that security systems can’t impede upon the efficiency of trains in any way. This is why proposals to install metal detectors at entry points for passenger trains has been met with disdain, as such a measure would have negative impacts on those heavy traffic trains. Intelligent optical systems, such as Gatekeeper’s Intelligent Train Undercarriage Scanner, are able to make freight and passenger trains alike more secure without impeding on the functionality of railways.
Transportation Security Systems With Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper Security’s suite of intelligent optical technologies provides security personnel with the tool to detect today’s threats. Our systems help those in the energy, transportation, commercial, and government sectors protect their people and their valuables by detecting threats in time to take action. From automatic under vehicle inspection systems, automatic license plate reader systems, to on the move automatic vehicle occupant identifier, we offer full 360-degree vehicle scanning to ensure any threat is found. Throughout 30 countries around the globe, Gatekeeper Security’s technology is trusted to help protect critical infrastructure. Follow us on Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn for updates about our technology and company.