A Land Transportation Bomb Threat Training Simulator

Abstract

The large numbers of passengers in close proximity in land transportation facilities present attractive targets for terrorist attacks. Land transportation facilities are also particularly susceptible to operational disruption, as problems in one node can affect an entire transportation network. This paper describes an effort to mitigate the operational disruption that can be caused by bombs and bomb threats targeted towards these types of transportation facilities. The authors develop an interactive multimedia bomb threat training simulator for land transportation facilities. With the simulator, land transportation facility personnel can receive simulated bomb threats, gather information, and decide whether to ignore the threat, conduct a search for suspect devices, or evacuate the facility. Because this training is simulated, users can receive realistic bomb threat training that might not otherwise be possible due to time, cost, or operational considerations. Quantitative training validation analysis indicates improved bomb threat response skills as a result of training with the simulator.