Homeland Security Grants Aim to Harden Transit

Amtrak and a range of big city transit agencies have received federal grants to upgrade their security in the face of terrorism.

1 minute read

September 12, 2018, 9:00 AM PDT

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


Security Camera

kuzmaphoto / Shutterstock

Totaling $88 million, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants are intended to protect transit agencies from terrorism and generally boost their resilience. Recipients include the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Bay Area Rapid Transit, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Chicago Transit Authority, and the New York City Police Department.

The NYPD grant will cover officer patrols of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's system, while the L.A. grant will go toward the installation of intrusion detection technology at Metro's underground rail stations. A separate $10 million also went out to Amtrak.

DHS has been subject to criticism for shortchanging rail security in favor of hardening airports, despite repeated attacks on trains and transit outside the United States.

Wednesday, August 29, 2018 in Progressive Railroading

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Urban sidewalk shaded by large mature trees

Cool Walkability Planning

Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.

June 1, 2023 - Todd Litman

Interstate 55 with cars and green freeway signs in Chicago, Illinois

Illinois Legislators Pass Controversial I-55 Road Expansion Legislation

Legislation to enable the addition of express toll lanes on Interstate 55 in the Southwest Side of Chicago, opposed by environmental justice advocates, cleared the Illinois General Assembly last month.

June 7, 2023 - Chicago Tribune

Dallas Freeways

Federal Infrastructure Dollars Funding Road Expansions

Far from kickstarting a transformative change in transportation policy, the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law continues to fund traditional road-building projects.

June 9 - Climatewire

An aerial view of a park and the streets and high-rises of Downtown Omaha.

Downtown Omaha Planning for its Post-One-Way-Streets Era

The Omaha City Council has decided to reverse the transportation model adopted in the city in the 1950s, for the benefit of traffic safety and local retail activity.

June 9 - KETV

A red sun appears on the horizon, as obscured by haze from wildfire smoke.

Planning for Proximity, for the Climate’s Sake

A new global platform will help the world identify and encourage opportunities for more proximity in the built environment—development patterns that can help reduce sources of greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution if built well.

June 9 - C40 Cities

Assistant/Associate Planner

Bossier City - Parish MPC

Principal Planner – Advanced Plans

Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department

Planning Officer

City of Bangor

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.