ATA floats anti-terror plan

Attempting to stay out ahead of Federal regulators charged with securing U.S. transportation networks from terror attacks, the American Truck Assns. has released a “Neighborhood Watch” program for the nation’s highways. The plan calls for training 3 million truck drivers to recognize “any suspicious activities that might have terrorism or national security implications,” according to an ATA announcement released to the press this morning.

The industry group’s Anti-terrorism Action Plan (ATAP) also envisions a trucking version of the green-yellow-red color-coded security alert system currently used by the U.S. Homeland Security agency. Yellow and red alerts would act as signals for “increasing driver vigilance of interstate highways, bridges, tunnels and seaports,” as well as bring a step up in driver check-in calls.

ATA says driver calls would initially be handled by an industry-funded 800 telephone number until a “Highway Watch Operations Center” can be created.

The action plan was developed by the Trucking Security Working Group, which in addition to ATA included representatives from the National Private Truck Council, the Truckload Carriers Assn. and other industry groups.