**GAO-09-243**                      Published: Apr 21, 2009. Publicly Released: May 21, 2009.                  

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## Highlights

An attack on the U.S. freight rail system could be catastrophic because rail cars carrying highly toxic materials often traverse densely populated urban areas. The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the federal entity primarily responsible for securing freight rail. GAO was asked to assess the status of efforts to secure this system. This report discusses (1) stakeholder efforts to assess risks to the freight rail system and TSA's development of a risk-based security strategy; (2) actions stakeholders have taken to secure the system since 2001, TSA's efforts to monitor and assess their effectiveness, and any challenges to implementing future actions; and (3) the extent to which stakeholders have coordinated efforts. GAO reviewed documents, including TSA's freight rail strategic plan; conducted site visits to seven U.S. cities with significant rail operations involving hazardous materials; and interviewed federal and industry officials.

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## Topics

Transportation

Cargo securityCritical infrastructureCritical infrastructure protectionFacility securityFreight transportationFreight transportation facilitiesGround transportationHazardous substancesHomeland securityInteragency relationsPerformance measuresRail (Railroads)Rail securityRailroad industryRailroad regulationRisk assessmentRisk managementSecurity assessmentsSecurity regulationsSecurity threatsShipping industryStrategic planningTerrorismTransportation safetyTransportation securityTransportation terminalsProgram coordination