Security in Operations Control Centers: What Was Done, What Needs to be Done

This paper provides an overview of the capabilities of modern transit operation control centers (OCC) located in the North East Region of the United States, These centers include the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), the New York City Transit (NYCT), the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and the paper describes how these traditional transit operation capabilities are being impacted by new security requirements. Further analysis discusses the compatibility (or incompatibility) of these new security requirements within transit operations. Major transit technologies reviewed will include integrated voice communications, utilizing the MBTA OCC as the primary example; Advanced Passenger Information Systems, such as the one currently in development at NYCT; and multi-modal operations like the one being implemented at SEPTA. Some of these technology upgrades serve a dual purpose by improving traditional transit operations and at the same time improving security. This paper will then review the security initiatives currently underway, such as closed circuit television (CCTV), Intrusion Detection and Access Control Systems in those same locations and how they take advantage of and interface with the OCC. Finally, the authors will offer analysis and opinion on the shortfalls of current security initiatives and what could be done to improve.