Transportation, Terrorism and Crime: Deterrence, Disruption and Resilience

Abstract: Terrorists likely have adopted vehicle ramming as a tactic because it can be carried out by an individual (or “lone wolf terrorist”), and because the skills required are minimal (e.g. the ability to drive a car and determine locations for creating maximum carnage). Studies of terrorist activities against transportation assets have been conducted to help law enforcement agencies prepare their communities, create mitigation measures, conduct effective surveillance and respond quickly to attacks. This study reviews current research on terrorist tactics against transportation assets, with an emphasis on vehicle ramming attacks. It evaluates some of the current attack strategies, and the possible mitigation or response tactics that may be effective in deterring attacks or saving lives in the event of an attack. It includes case studies that can be used as educational tools for understanding terrorist methodologies, as well as ordinary emergencies that might become a terrorist’s blueprint

A MODERN GREAT WALL: PRC SMART CITIES AND THE A2/AD IMPLICATIONS FOR AFSOC

The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) proliferation of smart cities—integrated, government-controlled urban surveillance networks—has increased the persistent stare of surveillance technologies globally. While the place of smart cities in strategic competition has been studied, the capability of PRC smart cities to achieve military ends like Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) has yet to be explored by Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The structure and capabilities of PRC smart cities reveal potential A2/AD threats and exploitation opportunities for AFSOC. Using the Integrated Air Defense System (IADS) as a model, this study suggests that PRC smart cities can function as IADS-like weapon systems, with a dispersed network of surveillance technologies integrated via a centralized control layer. PRC smart cities could produce at least two A2/AD threats to AFSOC: denial of aircraft entry to airspace and suppression of logistics and sustainment requirements (e.g., electricity and fuel). Conversely, AFSOC can exploit PRC smart cities using cyber-attacks—such as distributed denial of service and software manipulation—to preserve access and placement. This thesis concludes that AFSOC should pursue two lines of effort by investing in both: “living off the grid” independent of smart city infrastructure and new cyber technologies and tactics for Suppression of Enemy Information Systems—actions to disturb smart city command and control—to combat and exploit PRC smart cities.Major, United States Air ForceApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Security and the smart city: A systematic review

The implementation of smart technology in cities is often hailed as the solution to many urban challenges such as transportation, waste management, and environmental protection. Issues of security and crime prevention, however, are in many cases neglected. Moreover, when researchers do introduce new smart security technologies, they rarely discuss their implementation or question how new smart city security might affect traditional policing and urban planning processes. This systematic review explores the recent literature concerned with new ‘smart city’ security technologies and aims to investigate to what extent these new interventions correspond with traditional functions of security interventions. Through an extensive literature search we compiled a list of security interventions for smart cities and suggest several changes to the conceptual status quo in the field. Ultimately, we propose three clear categories to categorise security interventions in smart cities: Those interventions that use new sensors but traditional actuators, those that seek to make old systems smart, and those that introduce entirely new functions. These themes are then discussed in detail and the importance of each group of interventions for the overall field of urban security and governance is assessed

Spartan Daily, March 10, 1981

Volume 76, Issue 30https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/6734/thumbnail.jp

A generic model for camera based intelligent road crowd control

Traffic flow control is often a big problem in many big cities in the world, especially during the peak and off-peak hours. Researchers are trying to find the optimal solution to solve this daily problem. Often, the problem is caused by the poor traffic signal light control system. Improper placement of the signal light and timing is the main issue. The problem can be solved by proper time management for the traffic signal through the congested and often over crowded areas. This research proposes a model for intelligent traffic flow control by implementing camera based surveillance and feedback system. A series of cameras are set minimum three signals ahead from the target junction. The complete software system is developed to help integrating the multiple camera on road as feedback to the signal light control systems.Keywords: surveillance; traffic flow; network; vehicles