AASHTO Transportation Security Task Force History
Task Force Formed: October 2001
Number of Meetings: Five (Oct 01, Jan 02, Apr 02, Sep 02, Jan 03, Apr 03)
NCHRP Funds Spent: $2,250,000 (FY02 and FY03); $1.5m requested for FY2004
NCHRP has identified $1.375 for funding in FY2004
Overview of Task Force Need:
The terrorist activities of September 11, 2001 and subsequent potential threats to the
nation's transportation systems have initiated reviews by State DOTs and other
transportation agencies of the vulnerability of their critical infrastructure assets along with
their ability to respond to the mobility needs of the nation in the event of major incidents
on and off the transportation system. Because this is an issue of national significance it
is important there be a consistent methodology and common resources to assist State
DOTs in this effort.
Task Force Charge:
Establish guidance and share practices that help State DOTs prepare vulnerability
assessments of their highway infrastructure assets, develop
deterrence/surveillance/protection plans, develop emergency response plans and
capabilities for handling traffic for major incidents on and off the transportation system
and assess and respond to military mobilization needs in each state.
Completed Key Task Force Products by Category:
1. Guidebooks
 NCHRP Project 20-07/Task 151A: A Guide to Updating Highway Emergency
Response Plans for Terrorist Incidents
 NCHRP Project 20-07/Task 151B: A Guide to Highway Vulnerability Assessment
for Critical Asset Identification and Protections
2. Surveys
 TRB/AASHTO Security and Emergency Response Survey of State
Transportation Agencies
 AASHTO State DOT’s Transportation Security Training Needs Survey
3. Research
 NCHRP Project 20-59(1): AASHTO Security Research Workshop and Forum –
Selection of consultant research teams for NCHRP security research program,
including the work for the guides above and the meetings/workshops below.
Also produced a summary of top security research priorities for state DOTs.
 NCHRP Project 20-59(4): White Paper on Highway Security Issues for
Reauthorization
 NCHRP Project 20-59(5): National Needs Assessment for Ensuring
Transportation Infrastructure Security – National assessment of infrastructure
and operating costs needed to ensure security of the nation's roadways, tunnels,
and bridges---fed into AASHTO’s Bottom Line Report for needed transportation
investment
 Case studies of Sept 11, 2001 experiences in MDOT, VDOT and NYDOT
AASHTO website
4. Workshops and Meetings
 NCHRP Project 20-59(1): AASHTO Security Research Workshop and Forum –
National Workshop and conference on highway transportation security research
needs
 NCHRP Project 20-59(1): AASHTO Security Research Workshop and Forum –
2002 TRB workshop on critical infrastructure protection
 NCHRP Project 20-59(1): AASHTO Security Research Workshop and Forum –
2003 TRB workshop on transportation system-wide security research needs
 NCHRP Project 20-59(10): Secure Communication Infrastructure – NCHRP
funded workshop on Secure Communication Systems
5. Other
 NCHRP Project 20-59(14): Transportation Security: Sharing Information and
Task Force Support – Creation of AASHTO security information website and
clearinghouse
 Review of states’ Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)
AASHTO website
 Creation of working group on TSA rulemaking AASHTO website
 Coordinated review and comments on Federal LATSEC Plan/Homeland Security
Advisory System AASHTO website
 Development of formal AASHTO Board of Directors policy position on
reauthorization AASHTO website
 Presentations on Task Force work at several meetings and conferences Don’t
know how to classify this
 Participation in TISP----the multi-agency effort aimed at sharing and increasing
knowledge on infrastructure protection Don’t know how to classify this
Ongoing Key Task Force Products by Category:
1. Guidebooks
 NCHRP Project 20-59(6)/(6A): State DOT Field Personnel Security Manual &
CD-ROM Training Program – Safety and security training handbook for state
DOTs
 NCHRP Project 20-59(11): Emergency Traffic Operations Management
2. Surveys
 NCHRP Project 20-59(14): Transportation Security: Sharing Information and
Task Force Support – Survey of state DOT’s handling of sensitive security
information
 TRB/AASHTO Security and Emergency Response Survey of State
Transportation Agencies 2003 update
3. Research
 NCHRP Project 20-59(3): FHWA/AASHTO Blue Ribbon Panel on Bridge and
Tunnel Security Does this include TxDOT’s Design of Bridges for Security and
Rapid Bridge Replacement Techniques?
 NCHRP Project 20-59(10): Methods for Determining Transportation and
Economic Consequences of Terrorist Attacks
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NCHRP Project 20-59(11): Secure Communication Infrastructure: Development
of secure communication infrastructure system for state DOTs , including
discussions on the need for a highway ISAC
NCHRP Project 20-59(13A): Follow-up on A Guide to Updating Emergency
Response Plans for Terrorist Incidents
NCHRP Project 20-59(13B): Follow-up on A Guide to Highway Vulnerability
Assessment for Critical Asset Identification and Protections
Study to asses the ITA system and further the development of a secure
communications system AASHTO website
4. Workshops and Meetings
 NCHRP Project 20-59(2): Bridge/Tunnel/Highway Infrastructure Vulnerability
Assessment Workshops
 NCHRP Project 20-59(8): Emergency Transportation Operations Preparedness
and Response Workshop: Adaptations for Rural and International Border
Crossing Situations – Emergency response planning workshops (In coordination
with FHWA)
5. Other
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Coordination and relationship building with non-traditional partners AASHTO
website