Seminar:
Transportation Vulnerability, Risk and
Security
Office Hours:
Wednesday, 1:00-3:00 or
by appointment
klowrie@rutgers.edu
.
559:01
Instructor: Karen Lowrie, Ph.D
Spring 2015
Objective
The TVRS Seminar offers a holistic approach to the
study of transportation security from a risk
assessment and risk management framework.
Students will bring their own educational
backgrounds and expertise into play as they develop
seminar projects that investigate a selected aspect of
prevention, assessment, communication or
management of risk in the field of transportation
security.
This is a required course
for the EJB Graduate
Certificate
in
Transportation
Management:
Vulnerability, Risk and
Security
Class Style
The course will be in a lecture-discussion style. In about half of the classes, outside experts representing different
disciplines will speak to the class. Students are expected to engage in question/answer sessions after the lecture. In
other classes, we will discuss class readings in an instructor-led style, with inclusion of videos and real-life problem-solving
scenarios when possible to enhance student participation. Attendance is expected for all lectures.
Readings
Related readings are assigned for each week and will be the basis for class discussion.
Class Discussion Leader Assignment: Each student in the class will select a class to be class discussion leader, and be
prepared to summarize the reading assignment and pose discussion questions for that class.
All readings will be posted on the class Sakai site and/or handed out in class. Check every week as some new readings
may be added during the course of the semester.
Student Project
Each student will complete an individual project, due at the end of the semester. Your individual project will focus on a
transportation risk or security issue of your choice and will require research throughout the course of the semester, a
written product, and a class presentation.
Your project should demonstrate a working knowledge of your primary field of study as it relates to the transportation
risk or security issue you choose, and should integrate knowledge obtained from the class readings and lectures.
You are free to select a topic of your choice. Here are some ideas:
 Analyze a vulnerability, risk, and/or security issue for one of the major sectors: highway, rail, air, marine
 Use the risk assessment process framework to assess a transportation-related risk
 Critique organizational leadership and coordination related to prevention of and/or response to transportation
security incidents generally or to a specific incident
 Compare risk management strategies related to transportation security, weighing relative costs and benefits
 Research an emerging transportation security issue, condition or technology and discuss related strategic planning or
policy needs
Start thinking about topics early in the semester, and bring your ideas to class on Feb. 4 to discuss. Approved topics are
due on Feb. 11.
Final Products and Presentations
Students will prepare a roughly 20 page (double-spaced) research paper, including at least 10 references. It must be
original work. Final papers due on April 30. Outline is due on March 24.
Students will present their final projects to the class as Powerpoints (or other format if approved by instructor) during the
last class on April 28.
Academic Integrity Policy
All members of our community must be confident that each person's work has been responsibly and honorably
acquired, developed, and presented. Any effort to gain advantage not given to all students is dishonest,
whether or not the effort is successful. A violation of academic honesty is a breach of trust, and will result in
penalties, including possible suspension or expulsion. When in doubt about plagiarism, paraphrasing, quoting,
or collaboration, consult the course instructors. http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/students.shtml
ALL SOURCES OF PHOTOS, WEBSITES, and OTHER REFERENCES must be cited in all work including PowerPoints,
Reports and Reviews
Grading
Students will be graded on:
Class attendance and participation in discussions/evidence of reading – 20%
Class discussion leader task – 10%
Final paper and presentation – 70% (Outline = 10%, Paper = 50%, Presentation = 10%)
Certificate
The Transportation Vulnerability, Risk and Security (TVRS) Certificate is offered through the Edward J. Bloustein
School of Planning and Public Policy to provide Rutgers University graduate students with an interest in a risk
analysis approach to transportation policy the opportunity to develop expertise that can be applied to future
work and research in the field of transportation planning and management. A multi-disciplinary approach
ensures students will have a strong grounding in issues of engineering, health, sociology, geography,
environmental planning and risk management to work within the transportation security field.
The Transportation Vulnerability Risk and Security Seminar (TVRS Seminar) is the capstone course for the
fifteen credit certificate. Completion of all required and elective courses is a prerequisite to enrollment unless
special permission is granted. TM:VRS certified graduates will be well-positioned to meet the emerging needs
of the transportation industry and related fields.
Schedule of Classes
Wednesday, 9:50-12:30, Room 170, E.J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
Class Introduction
January 21
Transportation Security: Modes and Methods
The Risk Assessment Framework
January 28
Michael Greenberg, Director
Center for Transportation Safety, Security and Risk
February 4
Transportation Security Systems and Theories
Discuss topic ideas in class
February
Transportation Security Systems and Theories
11
Rae Zimmerman, NYU
TOPICS
Waggoner School
DUE
February
Transit and Rail Security: Trends and Threats
18
Joe Bober/Harold Neill
Homeland Defense Solutions, LLC
DHS Security and Preparedness Programs
February
Mitchell Erickson, DHS Office of Science and Technology, Northeast
25
Operations, Interagency and First Responder Programs
Managing Risk: Planning for Evacuation During a Disaster and Planning
for Impacts of Climate Change
March 3
Bob Noland and Jon Carnegie, Voorhees Transportation Center
Jeff Perlman, NJ TPA
Amtrak Rail Security
March 10
Lisa Shahade, Asst. Chief of Police
Amtrak
March 17
March 24
March 31
April 7
April 14
April 21
April 28
April 30
Sakai Readings
Zimmerman, Ch 1, 7
Sakai Readings
Zimmerman, Ch 2
Sakai Readings
Zimmerman, Chs 4, 5
Sakai Readings
Zimmerman, Chs 3, 6
Sakai Readings
Handouts
NO CLASS -- SPRING BREAK
Transportation Security Technologies
Class Discussion and Activity
Student Seminar Projects – Midterm Status Update and Outline
Public Health Impacts of Transportation Crises:
Clifton Lacy, M.D., UMDNJ
RWJ University Hospital
Vulnerability Analysis and Decision-Making
Class Discussion and Activity
System Hardening and Modeling: Maritime and Port Security
Fred Roberts, Rutgers, Engineering
Case Studies in Security and Risk Management
TBA
FINAL PRESENTATIONS
PAPERS DUE
Sakai Readings
Handouts
Sakai Readings
Sakai Readings
Sakai Readings