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Volpe Journal 2003: Transportation and SecurityPrevious Section | Contents | Next Section SAMUEL G. BONASSO
s the Research and Special Programs Administration's (RSPA) Acting Administrator, I am pleased to introduce this special issue of the Volpe Journal, which focuses on the Volpe Center's security work. RSPA, as an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), provides vital safety and research services to America's dynamic multimodal transportation system. As part of RSPA, the Volpe Center supports RSPA's mission to make America's transportation systems safer and more secure. I believe that RSPA's focus on public safety and security should be seen as a means of ensuring public confidence. This is at the heart of RSPA's mission. The Volpe Center's work contributes to maintaining a balance between security and economic efficiency, thus ensuring the nation's continued industrial competitiveness, especially in a global economy where intermodal transportation is essential. Although RSPA has a diverse set of responsibilities, one of RSPA's key long-term commitments is to administer a comprehensive hazardous materials safety program to protect the American people from the risks associated with transporting these materials. The Journal highlights the Center's hazardous materials research support in several areas including protecting U.S. pipelines from cyber attacks, researching the safe transport of hydrogen fuels, and investigating the risks of transporting spent nuclear fuel rods. RSPA's heritage of traditional safety-related work has prepared its people for the ongoing and anticipated security measures America must take in the face of terrorist threats. And the Volpe Center, an acknowledged leader in transportation security analysis and programs, is a key member of the RSPA team.  |
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