6. SECURITY BENEFITS ASSESSMENT
The primary evaluation objective of the Security Benefits Assessment is to examine the
ability of the test technology suites to improve HAZMAT shipment security. This objective is
achieved by assessing the test technology suites' (and technologies with similar functionality
available in the marketplace) in coordination with reasonable security processes and
procedures to reduce the vulnerabilities in truck-based HAZMAT shipping, and thus, reduce
the risk of successful HAZMAT-based terrorist attacks.
6.1 SECURITY BENEFITS ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW
Assessing the potential security impacts (consequence reduction) related to the HAZMAT
FOT presented a significant evaluation challenge for two key reasons:
There is little or no event data on which to reliably baseline the level of HAZMAT-based
terrorist attacks or to provide actuarial data in which to predict a statistically significant
number of actual terrorist actions in the future.
A method needed to be developed that would translate field test performance and user
acceptance information into monetized risk reduction terms.
Consequently, the Evaluation Team developed a unique analytical framework to assess
potential benefits. This framework built upon traditional vulnerability assessment techniques,
combined observations from both real-world and simulated operations within the FOT
framework, and made use of expert judgment and sensitivity analysis. The core of this
framework is expressed in a classic vulnerability assessment equation:
Threat x Vulnerability x Consequence = Cost
where "Cost" is the financial impact of HAZMAT-based terrorist attacks.
By applying this formula both before and after the deployment of technologies, it was
possible to determine the likely security impacts of the test technologies and to express
these impacts in quantifiable, economic terms.
To begin the technology benefits assessment, typical HAZMAT motor carrier operational
scenarios were identified and the most likely terrorist attack profiles for each of these
scenarios were developed. For example, a typical operational scenario may be the delivery
of a bulk fuel. A possible associated attack profile for this load and shipment scenario may be
the use of false manifest to divert this fuel shipment and delivery to a populated area for
intentional release. The four key operational scenarios or load types considered under the
FOT were: Bulk Fuel, Less-than-Truckload High Hazard, Bulk Chemicals, and Truckload
Explosives.
A series of these operational scenarios and associated attack profiles were developed by the
Battelle Deployment Team and have been documented in earlier reports.10 These scenarios and profiles also formed the basis for the FOT deployment of technologies.11 An example of
such a scenario would be the theft of a fuel truck while en route, driven to a populated area,
and detonated to maximize casualties.
Once the operational scenarios and attack profiles were established, determinations of the
extent of the threat, or the probability that a given attack scenario may be attempted were
made. This value is a function of terrorist aims and operating procedures. Through
discussion amongst the Deployment Team, FMCSA, and the Evaluation Team, threats are
not expected be impacted by the technologies deployed in this HAZMAT FOT. Deployment
of a technology or set of technologies may make a given attack scenario less desirable
relative to others, but the technology would not alter the terrorist overall desire to inflict harm.
Therefore, threat is held constant throughout this assessment. Furthermore, as the war on
terrorism continues, it is anticipated that the overall threat environment will not be held
constant. Should this become the case, the analytical framework presented here can be
easily adjusted to reflect such a revised threat environment.
Having established threat values, it was necessary to determine weight and rank of
vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities represent the probability that a given attack profile will
be successful, given potential weaknesses in the various stages and processes involved in
transporting HAZMAT from shipper to consignee. Vulnerabilities may include physical
security gaps, information integrity lapses, operations failings, and environmental factors that
are favorable to terrorist goals. These vulnerabilities were defined by the Deployment Team
and consolidated into higher-level categories, described in Section 6.2. Once the "before"
vulnerabilities were assessed, the Evaluation Team determined the impact of the FOT
technologies to address the vulnerabilities.
Should vulnerabilities be exploited, it is critical to next determine the likely consequence of a
success for a given attack profile and HAZMAT operational scenario. For this study, the
consequence estimates represent aggregate numbers that include societal impacts - lost
wages, damage to infrastructure, and loss of human life - as represented by economic
values. Again, these values were determined in a previous effort performed by the
Deployment Team for the FMCSA.
As with the threat element of the vulnerability assessment formula, the consequence of a
successful attack was considered to not change as a result of the technology deployment.
The final activity in the benefits assessment framework was to establish the potential number
and type of terrorist attacks expected over the time horizon of 3 future years. Using these
incident occurrence estimates with per incident consequence dollar value and the
vulnerability reduction estimates, overall reduction in potential impacts (benefits) were
estimated for each considered technology countermeasure for each load type.
The Evaluation Team utilized two distinct groups of subject matter experts in developing the
Security Assessment framework: an Expert Panel and a Delphi Panel. These two panels
further provided input to derive the initial vulnerability values, the potential technologyenabled
vulnerability reductions, and the likelihood of attacks using truck-based HAZMAT
shipments. It should be emphasized that the estimates of vulnerability made by the Delphi Panel were based on the Panelists' personal domain knowledge and information provided to
them on technical performance and user acceptance/issues. The information provided to the
Panelists was derived through the FOT via Beta and interim technology tests, conducting
staged security violation events, and through before and after interviews with test
participants. These inputs are well documented in Volume III, Section 2: HAZMAT FOT
Technical Performance, Efficiency and Safety Benefits Assessments.
The Expert Panel is a core advisory group consisting of 16 project-sponsored or volunteer
experts in HAZMAT transportation, national security, risk and loss prevention, and public
safety. Through the Expert Panel, the assessment benefited from the inputs and guidance
provided by representatives of the American Trucking Associations (ATA); the National Tank
Truck Carriers Association (NTTCA); the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA);
International Association of Chiefs of Police; International Association of Fire Chiefs; motor
carriers; insurance companies; USDOT; the U.S. Transportation Security Administration
(TSA); and the Deployment Team.
The Evaluation Team coordinated with the Expert Panel through dissemination of
background and follow-up materials, Web-Ex-based conferences, and on-site meetings.
These coordinated efforts resulted in developing and refining the initial risk assessment
assumptions and ranges of impacts for inclusion into an iterative Delphi Method.12 The
assessment framework was approved by the Expert Panel, which also assisted in identifying
and recruiting participants for the larger Delphi Panel of experts discussed below.
Using the Delphi Method has become a widely used practice regarding transportation
vulnerability assessment13 due to the complexity of the interactions between factors and the
wide range of estimates on the effectiveness of any assessed technology or strategy.
Through the use of a Delphi Method, experts were asked to provide estimates of vulnerability
and of the beneficial effects of the FOT-considered technologies. These inputs were
collected via surveys. Both numerical and linguistic responses were developed over a series
of group interrogations. Outputs with linguistic values were then processed using Soft
Computing Methods in order to provide input values that support conventional Multi-Attribute
Decision Making Methods.14
The Delphi Panel supporting this assessment was comprised of 26 expert individuals, either
familiar to the members of Expert Panel, and/or previously identified through their affiliation
with associations, conferences, or working groups (notably the FMCSA HAZMAT Working
Group), which was recruited to support this effort. The Delphi Panelists were highly
knowledgeable experts in the subject of security, risk assessment, emergency response, and
enforcement as pertaining to HAZMAT shipping. The panel was comprised of the following
mix of representatives:
- HAZMAT Motor Carriers (10)
- Enforcement-State Police (3)
- Fire Fighters (4)
- HAZMAT Shippers/Manufacturers (5)
- Insurance/Risk Management (4)
Through three distinct surveys, these experts provided their opinions on pre-technology
vulnerabilities, the impacts of technology to reduce the vulnerabilities, and the likelihood of
truck-based HAZMAT attacks. These opinions were derived through an iterative process
through which opinions were fed back to the Panelists anonymously, allowing individuals to
reconsider their responses independently. This approach led to a movement of responses
towards consensus, with the underlying reasons for minority positions documented.
Initially, the Evaluation Team briefed the Panelists with an overview regarding the FOT and
the need for and overall purpose of the exercise and the Delphi process. This provided the
Panelists with the base information to estimate the relative weighting of vulnerabilities and
attack types for the four load types represented in the FOT.
Once the baseline vulnerability scores were established via the first survey, the Panelists
were presented with detailed descriptions for the FOT technologies and deployment
scenarios. The panel also received preliminary FOT results of technical and institutional
performance for the test technologies. This aided the Panelists in developing their opinions
(via the second survey) on the relative reductions in vulnerabilities through the use of the
technologies.
The derivation of vulnerability weightings and the potential beneficial impacts of technology
on risk, were based on the consensus of opinion of the 26 experts. However, residual
variability in the Panelists' responses, following iterative interrogations, was accounted for in
the final calculation of technology-enabled reductions in risk through the use of Monte Carlo
simulation techniques. The Monte Carlo simulations consider the variability around input
estimates (relative weighing of risk factors and the impacts of technologies on the risk
factors) and provided solutions described by probability functions. These functions enabled
potential security benefits to be presented in ranges across the probability functions.
Figure 6-1 presents an overview of the security assessment process.
Figure 6-1. Security Assessment Process.

6.2 VULNERABILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED VULNERABILITY REDUCTIONS
As defined by deployment Task 1 of the FOT, the following three attack profiles were
considered by the Delphi Panel for each load type:
Theft is undertaken by means of stealth, deception, or force. Stealth and deception are
deterred by detection, while force assumes detection and operates within parameters
defined by the time to communicate and mount an interdiction. Stealth, deception, and
force also define an escalation path for operational planning purposes.
Diversion is a tactic that results in either theft or interception. The purpose is to create a
path to a target opportunity or arrive at a location where control of the cargo by the
terrorists can be achieved.
Interception is the "instantaneous" version of theft in that the cargo is released and/or
detonated, and ignited while still in control of the shipper/carrier/consignee. Particularly
effective when the radius of damage is large, this is potentially the most violent of attack
profiles in that it likely involves explosives as the mechanism for effecting material
release.
Contributing to the potential success of an attack, three Vulnerability Factors (VF) were
evaluated by the Delphi Panel:
Chain of Custody - Protection of the Chain of Custody (CoC) is the ability to ensure that
a shipment is in authenticated hands during the entire transportation process. CoC
represents the first line of defense allowing positive tracking of the material form the point
of origin to the point of delivery. Each shipment type infers a set of procedures that are
followed at points where custody must affirmed or transferred.
Access - If an attacker is unable to gain access by intercepting the CoC, this individual
may elect to take forcible measures to gain control of the shipment and acquire access.
Access is the ability to get inside of a critical effects perimeter (CEP) on the asset given
that it has been identified and intercepted. The CEP is different depending on the threat.
For detonation in place, this perimeter can be thousands of feet; for theft, the perimeter
may involve cab entry. Access is measured as the probability that the adversary will get
inside the CEP for a given shipment type and given threat.
Response Time - Response time is the timeframe that it takes for authorities to identify
that a shipment has been seized, mobilize response forces, close on the asset, and to
neutralize the consequence potential. Response time is a function of the level of
monitoring, the location and alert posture of response forces, and the ability to track the
asset once it has been commandeered.
In establishing the "before" or "no technology" baseline, the Delphi Panel was surveyed to
evaluate the vulnerability of each shipment type against each attack type in a structured
format. The panelists assigned a Vulnerability Score (VS) to each of the shipments
considered in the FOT for each attack type. The panelists were asked to assign a value in a
range using a rating scale from 0.0 to 10.0 (in which 0.0 is extremely low and 10.0 is
extremely high). This value, the VS, served three purposes to:
Establish the vulnerability for a shipment to an attack type (theft, diversion, or
interception).
Establish the Panelists' estimate of the relative vulnerability among all shipment types to
a particular attack type.
Establish the Panelists' estimate of the relative severity among threats.
The Panelists then estimated the contribution of each VF to the VS for each shipment type.
This is done by assigning a "weight" (in terms of percentage) to each VF (chain of custody,
access, and response time), indicating the Panelists' judgments on the degree of influence
each factor has on the overall vulnerability of a shipment type to a specific attack type. The
Panelists' judgments are made based on evaluation of the baseline information, or pretechnology
condition.
The before (no technology) and after (with technology) impacts of technology on these
Delphi Panel-weighted vulnerability factors were incorporated into overall probability of attack
success reductions. The weighted sum mean reductions in probability of success for each of
the attack types, by load type, and by technology countermeasure, are presented in Tables
6-1 through 6-3, respectively. These were derived by averaging the technology-enabled
reductions in vulnerability of the contributing VFs, weighted by the contribution of each VF to
the attack types.
The relative likelihood of attack methods and the weighting of vulnerabilities/vulnerability
subcomponents assigned to the load types by the Delphi Panel were used to develop overall
vulnerability reduction for the technologies by load type These are average vulnerability
reductions weighted by the VSs for each load type. These are presented in Table 6-4 and
Figure 6-2.15 The significance of the overall vulnerability reduction is when multiplied
by the potential consequences of attacks using HAZMAT, provides an estimate of
potential security benefits afforded by the technologies. The potential security benefits
are calculated in Section 6.3 of this synthesis document.
Table 6-1. Percent Reduction in Vulnerability of Theft by Load Type
| Technology Countermeasure Scenarios |
Bulk Fuel |
LTL-High Hazard |
Bulk Chemicals |
Truckload Explosives |
| Wireless Communications (WC) |
23% |
17% |
19% |
17% |
| WC + GPS Position |
26% |
24% |
27% |
20% |
| Panic Alert + (WC + GPS Position) |
42% |
37% |
42% |
33% |
| Driver ID + (WC + GPS Position) |
40% |
38% |
39% |
29% |
| Vehicle Disabling (+WC + GPS) |
42% |
39% |
44% |
31% |
| Cargo Seals (+WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
37% |
NA |
29% |
| Cargo Door Locks (+WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
36% |
NA |
29% |
| Psrc (WC + GPS Position) |
37% |
36% |
39% |
31% |
| ESCM (WC + GPS Position) |
41% |
39% |
39% |
29% |
| Panic Alert + Vehicle Disabling (+WC + GPS) |
52% |
47% |
52% |
40% |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + Vehicle Disabling (WC + GPS Position) |
58% |
54% |
57% |
43% |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + ESCM (WC + GPS Position) |
57% |
53% |
55% |
42% |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + Vehicle Disabling + Cargo Seals (WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
53% |
NA |
42% |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + Vehicle Disabling + Cargo Door Locks (WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
52% |
NA |
42% |
Vulnerability reductions from 0-10 percent are considered nil; reductions from 11-25 percent
are considered low; reductions from 26-50 percent are considered medium; and greater than
50 percent are considered a high reduction.
Table 6-2. Percent Reduction in Vulnerability of Diversion by Load Type
| Technology Countermeasure Scenarios |
Bulk Fuel |
LTL-High Hazard |
Bulk Chemicals |
Truckload Explosives |
| Wireless Communications (WC) |
14% |
13% |
11% |
11% |
| WC + GPS Position |
16% |
15% |
14% |
13% |
| Panic Alert (WC + GPS Position) |
26% |
23% |
23% |
23% |
| Driver ID + (WC + GPS Position) |
24% |
23% |
21% |
19% |
| Vehicle Disabling (+WC + GPS) |
25% |
26% |
24% |
21% |
| Cargo Seals + (WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
23% |
NA |
19% |
| Cargo Door Locks (+WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
22% |
NA |
19% |
| Psrc (WC + GPS Position) |
24% |
23% |
22% |
22% |
| ESCM (WC + GPS Position) |
24% |
24% |
21% |
19% |
| Panic Alert + Vehicle Disabling + (WC + GPS) |
31% |
31% |
29% |
27% |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + Vehicle Disabling (WC + GPS Position) |
34% |
34% |
31% |
29% |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + ESCM + (WC + GPS Position) |
34% |
33% |
30% |
29% |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + Vehicle Disabling + Cargo Seals + (WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
33% |
NA |
28% |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + Vehicle Disabling + Cargo Door Locks + (WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
33% |
NA |
29% |
Vulnerability reductions from 0-10 percent are considered nil; reductions from 11-25 percent
are considered low; reductions from 26-50 percent are considered medium; and greater than
50 percent are considered a high reduction.
Table 6-3. Percent Reduction in Vulnerability of Interception by Load Type
| Technology Countermeasure Scenarios |
Bulk Fuel |
LTL-High Hazard |
Bulk Chemicals |
Truckload Explosives |
| Wireless Communications (WC) |
7% |
5% |
5% |
6% |
| WC + GPS Position |
8% |
6% |
6% |
7% |
| Panic Alert (WC + GPS Position) |
12% |
8% |
9% |
12% |
| Driver ID + (WC + GPS Position) |
11% |
8% |
8% |
9% |
| Vehicle Disabling (+WC + GPS) |
11% |
9% |
10% |
10% |
| Cargo Seals (+WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
8% |
NA |
9% |
| Cargo Door Locks (+WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
8% |
NA |
10% |
| Psrc (WC + GPS Position) |
12% |
9% |
10% |
11% |
| ESCM (WC + GPS Position) |
11% |
8% |
8% |
10% |
| Panic Alert + Vehicle Disabling + (WC + GPS) |
14% |
11% |
12% |
14% |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + Vehicle Disabling (WC + GPS Position) |
15% |
12% |
13% |
14% |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + ESCM + (WC + GPS Position) |
15% |
11% |
12% |
14% |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + Vehicle Disabling + Cargo Seals (WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
11% |
NA |
14% |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + Vehicle Disabling + Cargo Door Locks (WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
11% |
NA |
14% |
Vulnerability reductions from 0-10 percent are considered nil; reductions from 11-25 percent
are considered low; reductions from 26-50 percent are considered medium; and greater than
50 percent are considered a high reduction.
Table 6-4. Percent Reduction in Overall Vulnerability by Load Type and Technology
| Technology |
Bulk Fuel |
LTL-High Hazard |
Bulk Chemicals |
Truckload Explosives |
| Wireless Communications (WC) |
15% |
13% |
12% |
11% |
| WC + GPS Position |
17% |
16% |
16% |
12% |
| Panic Alert + (WC + GPS Position) |
27% |
25% |
25% |
21% |
| Driver ID + (WC + GPS Position) |
25% |
25% |
23% |
18% |
| Vehicle Disabling + (WC + GPS) |
26% |
27% |
26% |
19% |
| Cargo Seals + (WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
25% |
NA |
18% |
| Cargo Door Locks + (WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
24% |
NA |
18% |
| Psrc (WC + GPS) |
24% |
25% |
24% |
20% |
| ESCM (WC + GPS) |
25% |
26% |
23% |
18% |
| Panic Alert + Vehicle Disabling + (WC + GPS) |
32% |
32% |
31% |
25% |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + Vehicle Disabling (WC + GPS Position) |
36% |
37% |
34% |
27% |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + ESCM (WC + GPS Position) |
35% |
36% |
33% |
26% |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + Vehicle Disabling + Cargo Seals (WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
36% |
NA |
26% |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + Vehicle Disabling + Cargo Door Locks (WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
35% |
NA |
26% |
Vulnerability reductions from 0-10 percent are considered nil; reductions from 11-25 percent
are considered low; reductions from 26-50 percent are considered medium; and greater than
50 percent are considered a high reduction.
Figure 6-2. Average Percent Reduction in Overall Risk Across Load Types by Technology Combination.

6.3 SECURITY BENEFITS
For the Security Assessment, benefits were defined as potential reductions in the costs
(consequences associated with HAZMAT-based terrorist attacks multiplied by the number of
attacks) through full deployment of the technologies. These represent societal benefits. The
"per event" potential consequences of HAZMAT-based attacks were obtained from a
document developed by Battelle for FMCSA that explored the potential economic impacts of
intentional and non-intentional releases of HAZMAT. The study examined the potential
consequences as measured by:16
Fatalities and injuries.
Property Damage: Damage to the truck, to other involved vehicles, and to other public
and private property.
Product Loss: Quantity and value of the HAZMAT lost during a spill.
Environmental damage.
Evacuation: Predominantly short-term relocation of people and business operations.
Cleanup: Stopping the spread of a release and removing spilled materials.
Traffic Delay: Additional travel time experienced by the motoring public due to delays
caused by the incident.
Business Disruption: Businesses having to reduce or cease operations because the
facility is inaccessible, supplies cannot be received, or other constraints imposed by the
incident.
The estimates of the consequences of intentional releases of HAZMAT were derived through
a framework that developed a series of multipliers to estimate the overall economic impacts
of HAZMAT releases based on likely numbers of human casualties. The multipliers were
based on a proxy measure for estimating effects. As the study states:
Fires were considered a reasonable proxy in that a large-scale hazardous
materials incident often includes a fire and/or explosion, affecting multiple
residences/businesses and resulting in traffic delays and community disruption.17
Using these multipliers with estimated casualties for intentional HAZMAT releases based on
load type, quantity and attack scenarios, reasonable worst-case consequence estimates
were developed.
The Battelle study presented reasonable worst-case consequence estimates for nine threatbased
classes of HAZMAT, four of which are used in estimating potential impact reduction in
this assessment. Derivation of the per event consequence values used in this assessment
considered the composition of HAZMAT for each load type, potential quantities released (TL
versus LTL) and the Delphi Panel predicted distribution of attacks with undirected versus
directed (including detonation) releases. Table 6-5 presents the per-attack consequence
estimates used for this assessment.18
Table 6-5. Reasonable Worst-Case Per Attack Consequences
| HAZMAT FOT Load Type |
Reasonable Worst-Case HAZMAT Attack Consequences |
| Bulk Fuel |
$3.7 Billion |
| LTL High-Hazard |
$2.1 Billion |
| Bulk Chemicals |
$16.3 Billion |
| Truckload Explosives |
$13.3 Billion |
To put these consequence numbers into context, the following examples of the
consequences of terrorist attacks in the United States are proffered.
Two tragedies provide examples of the harm that can occur from explosive material delivered
in a van or light truck: the 1993 New York World Trade Center (WTC) and the 1995
Oklahoma City Federal Building:19
The 1993 WTC bombing killed six people, injured over 1,000, and resulted in over $113
million in loss of life and bodily injury, and over $510 million in insured losses (based on
figures from the Federal Emergency Management Agency). Total losses are estimated to
be $623 million.
The Oklahoma City bombing killed 168 people, injured 601, and resulted in $560 million
in loss of life and bodily injury, and over $125 million in insured losses. Total losses are
estimated to be $685 million.
Vehicles used in the transportation of hazardous materials typically have much larger
capacities than the vehicles used in these two incidents. If these vehicles were used to carry
out a terrorist act, the damage would have been far worse. If certain hazardous materials
were involved and released in a directed attack, it could result in far greater numbers of
casualties and damage to property over a larger area.
Another example of the impacts of directed attacks in the United States, albeit attack(s) using
airplanes against buildings as opposed to trucks, is the September 11, 2001 attack(s) on the
WTC.
Although threat may vary over time and is difficult to predict, in estimating the security
benefit, threat was held constant at 100 percent, meaning that there is a 100 percent chance
that an attempt will be made to use a HAZMAT shipment for a terrorist attack. By holding
threat constant, the security benefits of the technologies were derived using, the overall
vulnerability reductions (presented in Section 6.2 of this synthesis document) multiplied
by the consequences of HAZMAT-based terrorist attacks. For example, the benefit
calculated for Wireless Communications with GPS positioning for Bulk Chemicals is
calculated as follows:
(Bulk Chemical Consequence) X (Technology Vulnerability Reduction) = Benefit
= $16.3 Billion Consequence X 16% Vulnerability Reduction from Wireless Communications with GPS Positioning
= $2.6 Billion Benefit
The estimated security benefits are presented in Table 6-6. These figures are not additive
across load types.
Table 6-6. Estimated Security Benefits by Load Type and Technology (In Millions of Dollars)
| Technology |
Bulk Fuel |
LTL |
Bulk Chemicals |
Truckload Explosives |
| Wireless Communications (WC) - Cellular Phones, Pagers, Two-Way Radios |
$548 |
$268 |
$1,917 |
$1,409 |
| WC + GPS Position (Baseline) |
$622 |
$348 |
$2,581 |
$1,657 |
| Panic Alert + (WC + GPS Position) |
$995 |
$529 |
$4,058 |
$2,822 |
| Driver ID + (WC + GPS Position) |
$933 |
$537 |
$3,730 |
$2,345 |
| Vehicle Disabling (+WC + GPS) |
$970 |
$573 |
$4,278 |
$2,556 |
| Cargo Seals (+WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
$529 |
NA |
$2,345 |
| Cargo Door Locks (+WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
$513 |
NA |
$2,400 |
| Psrc (+WC + GPS) |
$908 |
$525 |
$3,891 |
$2,652 |
| ESCM (+WC + GPS) incl. Biometric Driver ID |
$946 |
$553 |
$3,730 |
$2,400 |
| Panic Alert + Vehicle Disabling + (WC + GPS) |
$1,207 |
$689 |
$5,098 |
$3,355 |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + Vehicle Disabling (WC + GPS Position) |
$1,331 |
$776 |
$5,539 |
$3,547 |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + ESCM (WC + GPS Position) |
$1,318 |
$755 |
$5,319 |
$3,510 |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + Vehicle Disabling + Cargo Seals (WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
$755 |
NA |
$3,469 |
| Panic Alert + Driver ID + Vehicle Disabling + Cargo Door Locks (WC + GPS Position) |
NA |
$747 |
NA |
$3,510 |
6.4 SECURITY ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
The field data collection and the risk-consequence assessment showed that the primary
enabling technology combination on which all other technologies operated was Wireless
Communications with GPS positioning. This combination is key to the security architecture
deployed in the FOT. To assess the most widely used fleet management technology
deployed (Wireless Communications) as a stand-alone application, the Delphi Panel was
also asked to provide opinions on the beneficial effects of this technology. In framing the
Delphi Panelists' responses, care was given to instruct them to assess the value of each
technology independently, therefore, enabling a mix and match approach to technology
combinations that could be used to model real-world deployment of technology suites across
different load types/operations.
While the technology combinations do show promise for reducing the vulnerabilities of truckbased
HAZMAT shipments, and thus, risk as expressed in reduced consequences, the
Delphi Panel and the test participants provided a clear message that not all solutions are
foolproof. Their responses also indicated that not all solutions perform to form in a dynamic
real-world environment in which human and technology failures can occur, and where the
adversary is cunning and looking for new ways to subvert security efforts. These opinions
provide important discussion points for development of security-related public policy.
Following are the key findings derived from the Evaluation Team interaction with the Delphi
Panel, which echoed the general comments provided by participating motor carriers:
Frequency in Driver/Dispatch Communication. It was found that frequent
communication with drivers and asset positioning are of significant security benefit.
Inherent in the concept of asset positioning was the concept of Geofencing and
Untethered Trailer Tracking. With user-configured polling frequency, these forms of
communication types allowed dispatchers to know the whereabouts of their drivers and
assets, and to be alerted in the event of crisis or exceptions to normal operational
parameters.
Wireless Communications and GPS Positioning. These items were considered
vulnerable to possible electronic jamming and the ability of a driver to react and transmit
a message while under attack.
Average Polling Rates. The polling rates for GPS positioning were considered too
infrequent to effectively track a vehicle, even at 20-minute average intervals.
Panic Alerts. These items were considered valuable as reflected in the large incremental
increase in vulnerability reduction, but may be limited in effectiveness for more local
(within population areas) hauls where the damage could be done before intervention by
enforcement. It was recommended that a driver-carried Panic Button be used in
conjunction with in-vehicle Panic Buttons. Dissemination of panic notification should be
via multiple modes (e-mail, fax, pager, cell phone, etc.).
Remote Vehicle Disabling. This was also considered a strong vulnerability reduction
technology, but it was recommended that it should be combined with driver-local
disabling to be most effective, and not be solely reliant upon dispatcher trigger
disablement. Additionally, concern was expressed over the reliability of the system to
prevent a truck from being inadvertently stranded.
Driver Identification/Unit Assignment. These were considered useful, but the human/
technology relationship needed improvement (unobtrusive for the driver and more
reliable). It was recommended that this technology be coupled with vehicle disablement
to prevent unauthorized use of a truck.
Electronic Manifesting. Acceptance was mixed, with comments focused on the potential
system costs, complexity, and lack of a significant base of users as hindering factors.
Electronic Seals and Remote Door Locking. These were considered useful for
detecting tampering or providing a hard lockout until dispatch approves a door opening.
These devices were not considered appropriate to Bulk Fuel and Bulk Chemical
operations. Additionally the E-seal concept was not considered as mature as some of the
other technologies; therefore reliability and potential cost were issues.
The Public Sector Reporting Center. In concept, this item was considered as a strong
vulnerability reduction system. In terms of identifying crisis and reducing response time,
concerns exist about the potential frequency of false alarms/alerts that would burden
public safety agencies, integration with existing systems such as computer-aided
dispatch (CAD), and the potential cost of deployment.
Footnotes
10 Battelle, HAZMAT Field Operational Test Task One: Conduct A Risk/Threat Assessment, Draft Report prepared for the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), October 2002. Also, from Battelle, Framework for Assessing Safety & Security Incident Consequences for Highway Shipments of Hazardous Materials, Final Report, prepared for the USDOT and FMCSA, December 2003.
11 On the basis of the Deployment Team's initial Threat/Risk Assessment, load/operational types were prioritized with four type chosen for the FOT: Bulk Fuel; Less-than-Truckload-High Hazard Materials; Bulk Chemicals; and Truckload Explosives.
12 The Delphi Method provides a technique to arrive at a group position regarding an issue under investigation. This method
consists of a distributing a series of repeated interrogations, usually as questionnaires, to a group of individuals whose
opinions or judgments are of interest. After the initial interrogation of each individual, each subsequent interrogation is
accompanied by information regarding the preceding round of replies, usually presented anonymously. The participant is
encouraged to reconsider, and if appropriate, to change a previous reply in light of the replies of other group members. After
two or three rounds, the group position is determined by averaging the responses. The Delphi Method was originally
developed at the RAND Corporation by Olaf Helmer and Norman Dalkey.
13 The Volpe Center, Surface Transportation Vulnerability Assessment, October 25, 1999.
14 Evangelos Triantaphylou and Chi-Tun Lin, Development and Evaluation of Five Multi-Attribute Decision Making
Methods, International Journal of Approximate Reasoning, 1996, Volume 14, pp. 281-310.
15 In Tables 6-1 through 6-3, electronic cargo seals and remote door locks were considered to be impractical for Bulk Fuel
and Bulk Chemical load types, therefore "NA" ("Not Applicable") is used.
16 Framework for Assessing Safety & Security Incident Consequences for Highway Shipments of Hazardous Materials, Final
Report, Battelle, prepared for the USDOT and FMCSA, December 2003.
17 Framework for Assessing Safety & Security Incident Consequences for Highway Shipments of Hazardous Materials, Final
Report, Battelle, prepared for the USDOT and FMCSA, December 2003.
18 Per event consequence estimates based on weighted averages of Delphi-predicted attacks by attack profile (directed release
versus undirected release) and the following load types:
- Bulk Fuel - average of flammable liquids and flammable gases - Bulk quantity.
- LTL - heavier than air PIH in LTL quantity (LTL impacts estimated at 6 percent of TL or bulk impacts).
- Bulk Chemicals - heavier than air PIH in Bulk quantity.
- Truckload Explosives - sensitive explosives in Bulk quantity.
19 Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 86 / Monday, May 5, 2003 / Rules and Regulations, p. 23867.
20 U.S. Government Accounting Office, GAO-02-700R, Impact of Terrorist Attacks on the World Trade Center, May 29,
2002. The reports that were reviewed were prepared by: the New York City Office of the Comptroller; New York Governor
and State Division of the Budget; New York City Partnership and Chamber of Commerce; Fiscal Policy Institute; New York
State Senate Finance Committee; Milken Institute; and, New York State Assembly Ways and Means Committee.
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