U.S. transportation systems and the estimated 4,000 transportation facilities move over 30 million tons of freight and provide an estimated 1.1 billion passenger trips each day. Since 2001 the Transp. Security Admin. (TSA) has protected these systems and facilities from terrorist attack. One program TSA utilizes is the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program, through which a common credential is being developed for transportation workers with access to secure areas. Ultimately planned for all transportation sectors, TSA is initially focusing the TWIC program on the maritime sector. This testimony discusses: the progress made in implementing the TWIC program; and some of the remaining program challenges.

Transportation Security: Transportation Worker Identification Credential: A Status Update

The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program, managed by the Transportation Security Admin. (TSA) and the U.S. Coast Guard, requires maritime workers who access secure areas of transportation facilities to obtain a biometric identification card to access these facilities. A federal regulation set a national compliance deadline of April 15, 2009. TSA is conducting a pilot program to test the use of TWICs with biometric card readers in part to inform the development of a second TWIC regulation. This report evaluated TSA's and the Coast Guard's progress and related challenges in implementing TWIC, and evaluated the management challenges, if any, that TSA and Coast Guard face in executing the TWIC pilot test. Illus.

The Transportation Security Admin. and the U.S. Coast Guard manage the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program, which requires maritime workers to complete background checks and obtain a biometric identification card to gain unescorted access to secure areas of regulated maritime facilities. This report evaluated the extent to which: (1) TWIC processes for enrollment, background checking, and use are designed to provide reasonable assurance that unescorted access to these facilities is limited to qualified individuals; and (2) the effectiveness of TWIC has been assessed. This is a public version of a sensitive report. Information deemed sensitive has been redacted. Illustrations. This is a print on demand report.

U.S. ports, waterways, and coastal approaches are part of a system handling more than $700 billion in merchandise annually. With the many possible threats -- including transportation and detonation of weapons of mass destruction, suicide attacks against vessels, and others -- in the maritime domain, awareness of such threats could give the Coast Guard (CG) advance notice to help detect, deter, interdict, and defeat them. This report reviews the CG¿s efforts to achieve awareness about such activity. It addresses: the extent to which the CG: (1) has vessel tracking systems in place; (2) can use these systems to track vessels that may be threats; and (3) has coordinated the development and implementation of these systems. Illustrations.

The Transportation Security Admin.'s (TSA) Transportation Security Exec. Service (TSES) consists of exec.-level staff serving in key agency positions just below political appointees. Questions have been raised about the frequency of turnover within the TSES. Accordingly, this report examines: (1) TSES attrition and how it compares with that of Senior Exec. Service staff in other cabinet-level departments; (2) the reasons TSES staff separated from TSA; and (3) TSA efforts to mange TSES attrition consistent with effective management practices. The report analyzed data within the Office of Personnel Mgmt. Central Personnel Data File, reviewed TSA human capital policies and procedures, and interviewed former TSES staff. Illustrations.