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Pages 22-39

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From page 22...
... 25 Based on information obtained from the literature review, survey data of small and medium transit agencies obtained as part of TCRP Report 180: Policing and Security Practices for Small- and Medium-Sized Public Transit Systems and an informal scan of the top 10 transit agencies on the use of countermeasures, the research team compiled a comprehensive and thorough exploration of the strategies and countermeasures available to transit providers to reduce or eliminate instances of operator assault and mitigate against potential assault impacts. The research team also contacted the University of Southern Florida Center for Urban Transportation (CUTR)
From page 23...
... 26 Tools and Strategies for Eliminating Assaults Against Transit Operator: Research Overview complete strategy that makes crime a less attractive option for potential offenders. By increasing the perceived effort involved in committing a crime, increasing the perceived risks to an assailant, and decreasing the potential rewards of a criminal act, transit providers may successfully deter criminals and reduce instances of assault.
From page 24...
... Countermeasures 27 Perceived Effort 12. Denying Benefits On-Board Vehicle Fire Suppression Equipment (Driver Protection Systems)
From page 25...
... 28 Tools and Strategies for Eliminating Assaults Against Transit Operator: Research Overview Purpose Definition Source Prevention Those capabilities necessary to avoid, prevent, or stop a threatened or actual act. National Infrastructure Protection Plan (DHS, 2013)
From page 26...
... Countermeasures 29 Deterrence There are security countermeasures available to deter criminals or other would-be attackers from committing violence on-board transit vehicles. Deterrence as a protective measure is largely a matter of reducing exposure to potential harm or influencing how the criminal/offender interprets the risk of apprehension or personal loss.
From page 27...
... 30 Tools and Strategies for Eliminating Assaults Against Transit Operator: Research Overview spontaneously with no advanced warning. There are also circumstances when the offender is not making a rational decision in the first place when they commit a violent act.
From page 28...
... Countermeasures 31 displayed on the outside of the vehicle can be effective in supporting an operator and mitigating the consequences of an incident. Awareness and training, such as training in customer relations and conflict mitigation, can be effective in providing drivers with necessary skills and increased confidence in handling the public and defusing potential situations.
From page 29...
... 32 Tools and Strategies for Eliminating Assaults Against Transit Operator: Research Overview security standpoint, one of the highest priority actions that should be undertaken by transit agencies is to establish a robust capability and multi-layered capacity to respond immediately to the occurrence of either a threat of violence or a violent incident. Follow-up with the operator after an incident -- both in terms of prosecution of assailant and in terms of agency support for the driver's personal recovery -- is an important aspect of recovery measures.
From page 30...
... Countermeasures 33 Countermeasures Rating Scale Table 8 presents a rating scale for countermeasures that can be considered by transit agencies as a means to prevent, deter, detect, mitigate, respond to, or recover from an attempt or actual assault upon a transit operator. The table lists the underlying description or definition of each of the rating categories.
From page 32...
... Countermeasures 35 Least Cost to Implement (<$50K–$450K) Communication Protocol for Violent Incidents (Policies, Plans, and Protocols)
From page 33...
... 36 Tools and Strategies for Eliminating Assaults Against Transit Operator: Research Overview While the countermeasures are organized in order of overall effectiveness, the suitability of each countermeasure is ultimately dependent on the unique operational parameters of the end user. Transit providers must consider the cost, time to implement, and ease of use of each strategy, as well as the interplay between multiple countermeasures during complex incidents.
From page 34...
... Countermeasures 37 • Operator Assaults Zero Tolerance Workplace Violence Policy Coverage. This provides a clear policy regarding how the transit agency will respond to assaults.
From page 35...
... 38 Tools and Strategies for Eliminating Assaults Against Transit Operator: Research Overview Countermeasures for Police or Security Staffing • Staffing On Board Conveyance. Security personnel have the capacity to perceive the true nature of a threat and to recognize ongoing aggressor tactics.
From page 36...
... Countermeasures 39 vehicle locators, GPS units, and emergency alert buttons. Each of these technologies has its own set of benefits and limitations.
From page 37...
... 40 Tools and Strategies for Eliminating Assaults Against Transit Operator: Research Overview • Bus Stop Lighting. Good lighting can create a perception of security and allow operators to scan for trouble prior to stopping the conveyance.
From page 38...
... Countermeasures 41 • Drills, Exercises, and Immediate Actions. This includes training using tabletops and full-scale exercises with first responders on how to respond to and mitigate on-board vehicle violent incidents.
From page 39...
... 42 Tools and Strategies for Eliminating Assaults Against Transit Operator: Research Overview • SEPTA provides operators with situational training for many types of customer interactions, including the diffusion of confrontational situations. Hampton Roads Transit Hampton Roads Transit (HRT)

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