Battelle is working on two fronts with the United States Department of Transportation to keep hazardous materials transportation safe.
One thrust has Battelle developing and testing new security technology designed to enhance the security of hazmat transportation on highways. The other involves training and educational outreach to government and law enforcement officials who are responsible for daily inspections of vehicles transporting hazardous materials.
The technology work, part of a $2.5 million contract, will test a range of technologies in all areas of transportation including pick-up, en route movement, and delivery. Partners include the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, the American Transportation Research Institute, Qualcomm Inc, Total Security Services International, Biometrics Solutions Group Inc, Savi Technologies, and Veridian.
Technologies that will be tested include driver identification and verification systems such as biometric smart cards, cargo tampering alerts, remote cargo locking, remote vehicle disabling, real-time cargo location systems, real-time emergency alert notifications, out-of-route emergency alerts, and receiver notification and verification.
On the second front, Battelle will perform security education and outreach as part of an $875,000 contract with the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration. Battelle will develop a risk analysis, a model security plan, security training, and a cost benefit analysis for the DOT's hazmat transportation security program. It also will work with drivers and law enforcement to increase awareness of security threats and ways to prevent them.