The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded the Texas A&M AgriLife Research-Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases (IIAD) a 10-year grant to lead its new Center for Excellence for Cross-Border Threat Screening (CBTS) and Supply Chain Defense. The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) and seven other Texas A&M University System entities, along with private- and […]
homeland security
Historic Architectural Feature Could Help Thwart Terrorist Attacks
A potential new physical security barrier—historically known as a “ha-ha wall”—was first tested this week at the Texas Transportation Institute Proving Grounds in Bryan, Texas. On hand to witness the test were Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp and Texas A&M System Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering M. Katherine Banks. The test, sponsored […]
Security Is More Than a State of Mind
“9/11 changed everything.” Nearly a decade after the deadliest foreign attack on American soil in our nation’s history, that phrase is almost a cliche. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make it any less true. In medieval times, the main gate, or portcullis, was the most important part of a castle’s security. If the gate was breeched, enemy […]
Gate keeping in the 21st century: New Anti-Ram Standard Enhances Safety, Security
In the Middle Ages, gate keepers had it relatively easy. Castles were considered the pinnacle of defensive warfare technology. Then gunpowder was invented, and holes blasted in stone walls caused medieval strategists to reevaluate their old way of thinking. A similar change has occurred following terrorist attacks of the last 15 years, where the preferred […]
A wall in the water: TTI researchers work to standardize water barriers
On the morning of Oct. 12, 2000, a small boat loaded with explosives approached the port side of the United States (U.S.) Navy destroyer USS Cole, which was harbored in Aden, Yemen, for a routine fuel stop. An explosion ripped a large gash in the side of the ship, killing 17 sailors and 2 perpetrators. […]