DHS Announces Rail Security Measures | 12.15.2006 | 04:48:01 | Views: 4925 | ID: December 15 '06: The New York Times reported Friday that the Department of Homeland Security was planning to announce new railroad security measures which would increase the surveillance and protection given to hazardous material rail cars as well as "clarify how government workers inspect tank cars and railyards for compliance." The announcement was also to include new measures that would "establish rules on the chain of custody and handoff of dangerous cargoes and set communications requirements," for the more than 1.7 million shipments of hazardous materials and chemicals which are shipped across the U.S. every year, the Times continued. "Among other changes," the wrote, "each railroad would have to have a round-the-clock security coordinator to receive tips on threats to cargoes and immediately inform the government of details like the location of the cargo." The Associated Press reported additional proposed measures by Senate Democrats would allow Transportation Security Administration officials to inspect rail yards as well as mass transit rail cars. More than 708 railroads "affected would have to designate a rail security coordinator to receive intelligence from the government, and would have to report significant security concerns and potential threats," the AP found. Already about nine major cities have already proposed plans to reroute trains carrying hazardous materials. "The District of Columbia passed a law in 2005 banning hazardous material shipments within 2.2 miles of the Capitol," the AP continued.
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