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.

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.

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.