Highway-Borne Hazmat a Greater Target For Terrorists
Terrorists are turning more to using highway-borne hazardous materials to carry out their terrorist actions, and the government should focus more on this readily available, least protected hazmat, rather than hazmat that can cause catastrophic losse
Terrorists are turning more to using highway-borne hazardous materials to carry out their terrorist actions, and the government should focus more on this readily available, least protected hazmat, rather than hazmat that can cause catastrophic losses
, according to two new reports released by the Mineta Transportation Institute.
"We consider gasoline tankers, and to a lesser extent, propane tankers to be the most attractive options for terrorists seeking to use highway-borne hazmat because they can create intense fires in public assemblies and residential properties," said Brian Michael Jenkins, director of MTI's National Transportation Security Center of Excellence. "We strongly urge that DHS, State governments and the industry take a renewed look at flammable liquids and gases as a weapon of opportunity, and at a strategy to improve security measures and technology."
The new reports include: "Potential Terrorist Uses of Highway-Borne Hazardous Materials," which evaluates security risks created by truck-borne hazardous materials, particularly gasoline tankers; and "Implementation and Development of Vehicle Tracking and Immobilization Technologies," which details specific developments in tracking and immobilization technology that can increase security.
The hazmat report, which was requested by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is authored by Jenkins and Bruce R. Butterworth, along with Douglas Reeves, Billy Poe and Karl S. Shrum.
The tracking and immobilization technologies report is authored by Jenkins, Butterworth, and Dr. Frances Edwards.
The peer-reviewed reports came from a review of terrorist objectives, hazardous materials, and potential targets. The reports conclude that terrorists most often seek soft targets that yield significant casualties and prefer attacking public buildings and assemblies. According to the reports, terrorists most often go after simple operations with little consequences, rather than complex and uncertain operations. Terrorists have also discussed substituting fire for harder-to-acquire explosives. Gasoline tankers have greater appeal because they can easily produce intense fires, operate in target-rich environments with predictable routes, and pose few security challenges.
The report urges the government to focus more on the most readily available, least protected hazmat. It calls for a clear strategy to increase and sustain security, and for resolving significant jurisdictional issues between federal and state authorities; strengthening hazmat security measures in the field; and implementing vehicle tracking technologies, panic alarms, and immobilization capabilities for vehicles carrying specific hazardous materials, including gasoline.
To download the reports for free, visit www.transweb.sjsu.edu, and click "Research" and then "Publications." Scroll down to the reports.
More Safety & Compliance

Wabash Trailers Recalled for Improperly Installed Underride Guards
More than 900 Wabash dry van trailers may not comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for rear impact guards.
Read More →
Why K&B Trucking Is Embracing AI and Driver Safety Technology
Crunching data and embracing artificial intelligence are key in K&B Trucking's safety efforts, says the company's safety director.
Read More →
The Hidden Problem Behind FMCSA's ELD Revocations
NMFTA researchers say dozens of registered ELDs may be built on the same software platforms, allowing compliance and security concerns to persist even after individual devices are removed from the market.
Read More →
ATRI Wants Motor Carriers for Driver-Facing Camera Study
In this new study, the American Transportation Research Institute will explore how driver-facing cameras can impact safety and operational metrics in trucking fleets.
Read More →
Netradyne Intelligence Uses New AI Agents to Automate Response to In-Cab Camera Data
The company called the next-generation in-cab camera safety platform "a fundamental shift from systems that report on what happened to systems that actively drive what should happen next."
Read More →
Mack, Volvo Issue ‘Do Not Drive’ Recall on Possible Wheel-Offs
Owners will be sent advance notice not to operate their affected vehicles until the remedy is performed.
Read More →
Fleetworthy Integrates Lytx Video Snapshots into Safety+ Platform
A new Fleetworthy-Lytx integration gives fleet managers access to video context alongside safety event data, streamlining driver coaching and incident review.
Read More →How Waste Connections is Using Data, Telematics, and AI
How do you manage and maintain more than 18,000 connected trucks? Data. Lots of it.
Read More →
Fleet Advantage: Top Logistics Fleets Outperform National Safety Benchmarks
Fleet Advantage's latest TRUST Safety Index found leading logistics fleets maintained significantly lower out-of-service rates and stronger safety scores than national averages, while highlighting persistent challenges related to tires, brakes, and unsafe driving behaviors.
Read More →
Why Fleet Data Matters More Than Ever at Waste Connections [Watch]
Waste Connections' Chuck Palmer explains how telematics, predictive maintenance, safety analytics, and AI help keep vehicles on the road and drivers safe in this episode of HDT Talks Trucking.
Read More →
