Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and Trinity Railway Express (TRE) Regional Transit Security Strategy (RTSS) identifies a deliberate path for enhancing capability and capacity to respond to acts of terrorism or major disasters affecting transit systems by working in collaboration with regional partners. The size and diversity of DART/TRE service areas requires a preparedness program that accounts for the full spectrum of terrorist threats and natural and technological disasters. In 2002, the Federal Transit Administration conducted a Readiness Assessment for DART and Dallas County. The results of the assessment provided insight and assisted in the recognition of current capabilities and identified gaps in transit preparedness efforts.
The RTSS updates and builds upon the earlier Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington Metropolitan Urban Area Security Initiative Strategy (MUASI) released in February 2005, is aligned with the Texas Homeland Security Strategic Plan: 2005-2010 and is consistent with the National Strategy for Homeland Security and the National Response Plan (NRP). The RTSS builds on the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) current disaster response network, and will assist state and local officials in developing regionally based, interlocking, and mutually supporting terrorism and all-hazards preparedness programs. This is a dynamic document that will continue to expand in scope and detail. The Regional Transit Security Working Group (RTSWG) supports the regional concept of the 2005 Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) as it represents the next evolution of state and federal terrorism preparedness programs in support of local and regional programs. The RTSWG embraces the new emphasis on terrorism prevention activities and welcomes both resources and support to the North Central Texas region to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance our prevention capabilities. The RTSWG recognizes and appreciates the fact that these activities and resources, while strongly focused on terrorism, will continue to enhance an all-hazards approach to emergency preparedness in our region. A significant number of current and ongoing efforts in the North Central Texas Urban Area (NCTUA) related to emergency preparedness can now be leveraged to complement the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) TSGP parameters. Members of the RTSWG and the MUASI have made tremendous progress since the attacks of September 11, 2001. The TSGP will now aid in our region’s capability and capacity to leverage and combine these independent efforts.
The RTSWG understands that the mission is to become fully engaged in the development of regional security solutions to address critical needs within the state and Urban Area. This regional approach will ensure that the use of funds provided through this program is consistent with the overall security needs of the region and is fully accounted for in the regional planning process that forms the core of our MUASI program.
DART is a regional transit authority authorized pursuant to Chapter 452 of the Texas Transportation Code. DART was created by voters and funded with a local sales tax on August 13, 1983. The service area consists of 13 member cities: Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Irving, Plano, Richardson, Rowlett and University Park.
Starting service in 1996, the TRE is a jointly owned by DART and the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (known as The T) and is a diesel commuter rail that links Dallas and Fort Worth downtown areas with stops in the mid-cities and Centreport Station which links to DFW International Airport via DFW-provided bus service. The TRE is operated by a separate contractor selected by DART and The T. TRE provides service between Dallas Union Station and the Texas and Pacific Station in Fort Worth on weekdays and Saturdays. TRE funding is provided by both agencies as well as the midcities through an interlocal agreement.
DART is governed by a 15-member board appointed by member-city councils based on population. Eight members are appointed by the City of Dallas and seven are appointed by the remaining cities. Board members serve two-year terms with no limits. Board officers are elected from the board membership and serve one-year terms. The TRE receives policy direction and guidance through the Trinity Railway Express Advisory Committee. Representatives from the DART board, The T board and a midcities representative are members of this committee. Only the boards of both agencies can formally approve policy, contractual, budget and financial activities associated with the TRE operation. Currently, DART serves its member cities with 130 bus routes, 45 miles of light rail transit (DART Rail), 31 freeway miles of High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, and paratransit service for the mobility impaired. DART and The T jointly operate the 35 miles of commuter rail transit (TRE) linking downtown Dallas and Fort Worth with stops in the mid-cities and DFW International Airport. Through 2014, the DART Light Rail System is slated to more than double in size to 93 miles.
II. Vision
Prevent terrorist attacks against transit agencies.
DART/TRE’s number one priority is to prevent terrorist attacks within the DART/TRE system. Prevention encompasses all efforts to detect terrorists, deter their activities, deny access to support structures, and stop an attack before it can occur. By enhancing coordination and communication among local, state and federal stakeholders and developing effective regional partnerships, we will increase our ability to keep our systems safe and secure.
Coordination, communication and intelligence sharing with local, regional and federal law enforcement officials using the Homeland Security Information Network, Texas Fusion Center, Texas Intelligence Council, and the North Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force (NTJTTF) will continue to leverage existing efforts to share information and promote timely dissemination of criminal intelligence information. This will enable effective prevention and enforcement strategies.
Reduce transit agencies’ vulnerability to terrorism.
Through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assessment process DART/TRE will identify and assess risks, take priority actions to protect Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (CI/KR) and develop passive and active counter-measures for addressing these prioritized vulnerabilities. In addition, TRE has contracted through The T for an end-to-end threat and vulnerability assessment to identify additional CI/KR, and vulnerability to specific threats.
Minimize damage and recover from attacks and disasters affecting the transit agencies.
Through development of regional partnerships and agreements, DART/TRE will strengthen preparedness efforts by focusing our finite resources on expanded jurisdictional collaboration centered within the Urban Area. In addition, DART/TRE will coordinate with the Urban Area to enhance communication, planning, training and exercise opportunities. These activities will ensure a timely and efficient response to any and all regional and transit related disasters.
Metropolitan Regional Transit Security Strategy Version 1.0
2/5/2008
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III. Focus
To accomplish the strategic vision, the RTSS is organized around the following critical mission areas:
• Intelligence and warning
• Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources
• Emergency preparedness, response and recovery
The primary focus of the RTSS within these critical mission areas is to prevent terrorist attacks. The best way to accomplish this is to build regional partnerships among local, state and federal agencies, volunteer organizations, and the private sector to reduce the vulnerability to a terrorist attack and recover quickly from a natural and/or man-made disaster. To meet this focus, transit assets must be adequately protected, available technology must be taken advantage of, and response procedures must be established and coordinated within the Urban Area.