Dangers of Haz-Mat in Transit

Since September 11th 2001.there has been great amount of concern that terrorists might target Haz-Mat cargos. Terrorist organizations are sophisticated enough to do detailed research on security mandates and procedures. By knowing that HazMat shipments are better protected in high-risk areas they may opt not to attack the shipment in these areas. They may instead decide to steal the contents of a shipment in a lower-risk area where security is not as tight. Then build a dispersal device with the stolen material and deliver the weapon themselves to the target area.

Volume of Haz-Mat Transport

There are vast amounts of hazardous materials transported across the United States each year. This amounts to "more than 3 billion tons of regulated hazardous materials (hazmat)--including explosive, poisonous, corrosive, flammable, and radioactive materials." Railroads themselves carry over 1.7 million shipments of hazardous materials annually.

Government Recommendations on HazMat Transport

The transportation of hazardous materials is regulated by various government agencies such as the Department of Energy, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation. One type of Haz-Mat of particular interest is Toxic Inhalation Hazards (TIH).

Among the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation recommendations to improve security in the transportation of TIH were:

a. "Develop a procedure and system to locate, in a timely manner, railcars transporting TIH materials. Procedures should include a process to address delayed or missing cars. The procedure and/or systems developed should be capable of providing near real-time information on the location of rail cars carrying TIH materials to DHS and DOT in case of an emergency."

b. "Provide positive and secure exchange of custody of rail cars containing TIH materials at shipper and receiver facilities and at points of carrier interchange. Develop procedures to limit the period of time that TIH cars are left unattended and unmonitored."

c. "Inspect for signs of tampering, sabotage,"

Access Control was also one of the three major Security Action Items that were derived from the findings of the TSA led Rail Corridor Assessments and FRA security plan compliance inspections.

By employing the GeoLok container security device, those transporting these cargos can meet recommendations put forward by government agencies concerning the security of Haz-Mat in transit.

The GeoLok communicates in real-time to the user through TrakLog, giving in-the-moment monitoring capabilities of Haz-Mat during transport.

The GeoLok also provides for hardened physical security, retaining both doors. Tampering with the cargo will initiate an alert from the GeoLok while it deters and delays any intrusion attempt.

The GeoLok is also a time and location lock. This ensures the chain-of-custody remains secure, from origin of the shipment to its end destination. Only the Right Person, in the Right Place and at the Right Time can access the shipment.

Sources:

Undeclared Hazardous Materials: New DOT Efforts May Provide Additional Information on Undeclared Shipments." GAO-06-471 March 29, 2006

"Hazardous Materials: Enhancing Rail Transportation Safety and Security for Hazardous Materials Shipments." Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). Washington, DC. December 21, 2006.

"Recommended security action items for the rail transportation of Toxic Inhalation Hazard Materials." Department of Homeland Security and Department of Transportation. Washington, DC. March 30, 2006.

Clarkson, Jamie. "Enhancing Railroad Security." Freight Rail Security. Transportation Security Administration. US Department of Homeland Security. April 25, 2006.