Does that mean that passengers on high-speed rail systems face great danger?
“No more than traveling on subways or being in any other public space,” says Mr. Jenkins. “Only 22 of the attacks since 1977 have resulted in fatalities, with a median of six fatalities per incident. That’s hardly the suspense film scenario of trains plunging into ravines killing scores of people. But the potential for a dramatic disaster is there, as it is in commercial aviation. That means we must take it seriously.” The report concludes with a brief discussion of some possible security approaches. Current research is investigating security measures at high-speed rail systems around the world. This will be the subject of future reporting. The report may be downloaded at no cost from www.mti.sjsu.edu. Click on “Security” and “Publications,” then scroll down for the report. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Brian Michael Jenkins is an international authority on terrorism and sophisticated crime. He directs MTI’s research on protecting surface transportation against terrorist attacks. He is also a seni
