NYC Subway Cars Newest Addition to TSA's Explosives Detection

Two New York City subway cars were recently moved to the TSA's National Explosive Detection Canine Team Program facility in San Antonio, Texas. The cars will be part of a new mass transit facility used to familiarize canine teams from across the nation with a typical mass transit station.

Mass transit systems are designed to be open and accessible, and are intended to move large numbers of people rapidly and efficiently. Transit systems in larger cities have large numbers of stations with multiple entrances and exits, as well as multiple train platforms. All of these characteristics are a challenge to security, and TSA is actively pursuing programs and technologies to address those challenges.

Canine units are one of the approaches TSA is pursuing. We have created and deployed mobile canine units to allow for more targeted screening of passengers in the mass transit arena. Currently, there are 35 canine teams working in 11 mass transit systems. Their responsibilities include screening unattended items, searching subway and light rail cars and buses, and providing public visibility in the terminal and platform areas.

Canines are also effective in detecting explosives in airports, on airplanes and in other public venues. To fully utilize this technology, the subway cars will join existing mock venues at the National Explosive Detection Facility, which includes a mock airport terminal, a cargo facility, multiple aircraft fuselages and a parking lot.