Loy discusses transportation worker ID card program

Jan 23, 2003 12:00 PM

"I've heard that there are some truck drivers currently carrying up to 23 ID cards around their necks," said James M Loy, transportation under secretary. "I wouldn't want to pay that chiropractor bill." Loy made the comments while discussing a national transportation worker identification program during a session of the 82nd annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board January 16 in Washington DC.

He said that current physical access security systems by transportation personnel are inadequate and present a significant risk to the country. Under a national ID program, drivers and other transportation workers would only have one card to deal with, which would be acceptable across the United States. The credential program would combine personal information and biometrics to positively identify transportation employees having access to secure areas.

"We're talking about everyone from pilots and mechanics to airline catering and custodial workers--truck drivers and warehouse workers loading pallets and trailers, to dock workers and ship crews…The idea is to have these employees undergo only one standard criminal background investigation," Loy said. "It would link them to a central database that would be accessible nationwide. And it could serve as an international standard."