Within the surface transportation systems, TSA’s primary security focus is in oversight, cooperation, and regulation. TSA works collaboratively with surface transportation operators, local, state and federal security partners to ensure appropriate security postures are employed. Along with industry partners, TSA safeguards all four general modes of land-based transportation: mass transit, freight rail, highway motor carrier and pipeline; and supports in maritime security efforts.
Click on any of the modes below for more information.
TSA works with industry leaders and other government partners to reduce threats to the freight rail network by producing security actions, procedures, and informational materials for the rail industry.
Freight Rail Training Courses and Materials
- IED Detection and Recognition for Railroad Employees (CD)
- On the Tracks: Rail Sabotage Awareness and Reporting (CD)
Security Awareness Posters
- On the Tracks: Rail Sabotage Awareness and Reporting
Brochures in PDF Format (sent as electronic reproducible versions)
- Freight Rail Security Awareness Brochure
To request the above materials, complete and submit the Freight Rail Stakeholder Resources & Training Products form. For additional information about freight rail security, please email your inquiry.
TSA coordinates a voluntary risk-based program designed to identify security vulnerabilities within the highway transportation network and offers options for reducing threats.
Highway motor carrier training courses and materials include:
Pocket Counterterrorism Guides
- School Bus
- Motor Coach
- Trucking
- Highway Infrastructure
Brochures
- Hazmat Motor Carrier Security Action Item Training
Training Media
- First Observer: School Transportation Security Training (School Bus and School Transportation) available with Spanish subtitles
- First Observer: Operation Secure Transport (Motorcoach) available with Spanish subtitles
- School Transportation Security Awareness
- Hazmat Motor Carrier: Security self-assessment training
Transportation Security Template and Assessment Review Toolkit
T-START is composed of five separate security guidance modules that address highway transportation security. The modules are designed to assist highway companies/operators in developing effective security practices and security plans.
To request the above materials, complete and submit the Highway and Motor Carrier Stakeholder Resources & Training Products form. For additional information about highway security, please email your inquiry.
TSA works with mass transit and passenger rail systems to ensure the safety and security of millions of passengers across the nation who use one of the 6,000 transit systems in the United States.
Mass transit security training courses and materials available include:
Pocket Guides
- Employee Guide to System Security - Commuter Bus
- Employee Guide to System Security - Commuter Rail
- Employee Guide to System Security - Heavy Rail
- Employee Guide to System Security - Light Rail
Training Media
- FTA - Transit Agency Security and Emergency Management Protective Measures(CD)
- System Security Awareness for Transit Employees (CD) – also available in Spanish
- The Mark (DVD)
- Warning Signs - (DVD)
Trifold Pamphlet
- Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response
- Chemical Attack Awareness
Quick Reference Sheet
To request the above materials, complete and submit the Mass Transit and Passenger Rail Stakeholder Resources & Training Products form. For additional information about mass transit, please email your inquiry.
The U.S. Coast Guard is the lead federal agency in securing the maritime mode of transportation. TSA supports the U.S. Coast Guard in its maritime security efforts and focuses primarily on passenger security and intermodal connectivity to ports. TSA also supports the U.S. Coast Guard by producing and distributing security training materials for passenger vessel crews and terminal employees.
Maritime security training courses available include:
- Security Awareness for Passenger Vessel Employees (CD)
- VBIED/IED Recognition/Response for Passenger Vessels and Terminals (CD)
- Crowd Control for Passengers Vessels and Terminals (CD)
- Maritime Terrorism and Hijacking Situations (CD)
- Screening Procedures (CD)
- Terminal and Vessel Evacuation Procedures (CD)
To request the above materials, complete and submit the Maritime Stakeholder Resources & Training Products form. For additional information about maritime security, please email your inquiry.
DHS has directed funding for surface transportation security grants for mass transit and passenger rail, trucking, freight rail, intercity buses and certain ferry systems to fund operational deterrence; hardening of tunnels, high-density stations and bridges; and other security efforts. TSA reviews and prioritizes projects for appropriated surface transportation security grants. Final funding awarded is based on a multi-agency recommendation, including TSA and FEMA, to the Secretary of Homeland Security. Surface transportation security grant programs include, but are not limited to:
- Transit Security Grant Program: Created by the DHS Appropriations Act of 2005, and authorized by the Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, this program provides funding to the owners and operators of passenger rail, intra-city bus and certain ferry systems.
- Freight Rail Security Grant Program: Authorized the 9/11 Act and initiated in FY 2008, this program funds security initiatives for freight rail carriers and related entities that transport rail sensitive security materials through high density population areas.
- Intercity Passenger Rail Security Grant Program: Authorized by the 9/11 Act, this program provides dedicated funding to Amtrak to support operational activities, site hardening, training and other activities that secure Amtrak’s system.
- Intercity Bus Security Grant Program: Created by the DHS Appropriations Act of 2005 and authorized by the 9/11 Act, this program supports security efforts of operators of fixed route intercity and charter bus services.
- Trucking Security Program: This program enhances highway security through initiatives such as participant identification and recruitment, planning, training, communications and information analysis and distribution. It has not been funded since FY 2009.
Effective management of the surface transportation security grant programs entails a collaborative effort and partnership within DHS, the dynamics of which require continuing outreach, coordination and interface. For the grant programs, FEMA operates the administrative mechanisms needed to implement and manage the grant program. TSA provides subject matter expertise on all matters relating to surface transportation security and other programmatic updates, and assists by coordinating the myriad intelligence information and risk/vulnerability assessments resulting in ranking and rating surface transportation assets nationwide against threats associated with potential terrorist attacks and in defining the parameters for identifying, protecting, deterring, responding to and recovering from such incidents. Together, these two agencies with additional assistance and cooperation of the Federal Transit Administration, for rail and mass transit systems, the Federal Railroad Administration as needed for freight rail operations, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for intercity buses, determine the primary security architecture of the surface transportation security grant programs.
For additional information on these grant programs, please visit FEMA Preparedness (Non-Disaster) Grants or email your inquiry.
Surface Transportation Security Grants
DHS has directed funding for surface transportation security grants for mass transit and passenger rail, trucking, freight rail, intercity buses and certain ferry systems to fund operational deterrence; hardening of tunnels, high-density stations and bridges; and other security efforts. TSA reviews and prioritizes projects for appropriated surface transportation security grants. Final funding awarded is based on a multi-agency recommendation, including TSA and FEMA, to the Secretary of Homeland Security. Surface transportation security grant programs include, but are not limited to:
- Transit Security Grant Program: Created by the DHS Appropriations Act of 2005, and authorized by the Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, this program provides funding to the owners and operators of passenger rail, intra-city bus and certain ferry systems.
- Freight Rail Security Grant Program: Authorized the 9/11 Act and initiated in FY 2008, this program funds security initiatives for freight rail carriers and related entities that transport rail sensitive security materials through high density population areas.
- Intercity Passenger Rail Security Grant Program: Authorized by the 9/11 Act, this program provides dedicated funding to Amtrak to support operational activities, site hardening, training and other activities that secure Amtrak’s system.
- Intercity Bus Security Grant Program: Created by the DHS Appropriations Act of 2005 and authorized by the 9/11 Act, this program supports security efforts of operators of fixed route intercity and charter bus services.
- Trucking Security Program: This program enhances highway security through initiatives such as participant identification and recruitment, planning, training, communications and information analysis and distribution. It has not been funded since FY 2009.
Effective management of the surface transportation security grant programs entails a collaborative effort and partnership within DHS, the dynamics of which require continuing outreach, coordination and interface. For the grant programs, FEMA operates the administrative mechanisms needed to implement and manage the grant program. TSA provides subject matter expertise on all matters relating to surface transportation security and other programmatic updates, and assists by coordinating the myriad intelligence information and risk/vulnerability assessments resulting in ranking and rating surface transportation assets nationwide against threats associated with potential terrorist attacks and in defining the parameters for identifying, protecting, deterring, responding to and recovering from such incidents. Together, these two agencies with additional assistance and cooperation of the Federal Transit Administration, for rail and mass transit systems, the Federal Railroad Administration as needed for freight rail operations, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for intercity buses, determine the primary security architecture of the surface transportation security grant programs.
For additional information on these grant programs, please visit FEMA Preparedness (Non-Disaster) Grants or email your inquiry.
Surface Information Sharing on HSIN-CI
The Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) is the trusted network for homeland security mission operations to share sensitive but unclassified information. HSIN-Critical Infrastructure (HSIN-CI) is the primary system through which private sector owners and operators, DHS, and other federal, state, and local government agencies collaborate to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure. HSIN-CI provides real-time collaboration tools including a virtual meeting space, document sharing, alerts, and instant messaging at no charge. HSIN access is based on nomination and acceptance into one or more HSIN communities. If you are not currently an HSIN user, please send an email to HSIN@hq.dhs.gov to request access and include the following information:
- First and last name
- Valid email address
- Requested community or field of interest
- Reason for access
The sponsoring organization of the requested HSIN community will review the application.
Individuals in the Field of Transportation
The field of transportation includes any individual, activity, entity, facility, owner or operator that is subject to regulation by TSA, the Department of Transportation or the U.S. Coast Guard. This also includes individuals applying for trusted traveler programs, such as TSA PreCheck™. Read the legal interpretation in Docket ID TSA-2016-0001.