"RAND's Study on Los Angeles Airport Offers Near-Term Solutions"

Wednesday, November 3, 2004

RAND's Study on Los Angeles Airport Offers Near-Term Solutions
Airport Security Report


A study assessing security improvements at Los Angeles International Airport
(LAX) supports controversial local plans to limit the potential of an
explosive detonation as part of a costly makeover of the airport. 

The Los Angeles City Council approved the $11 billion, multi-stage plan Oct.
21. The initial phase calls for $3 billion to expand current capacity by
nearly 30 percent to 78 million passengers annually. 

The most contentious part of the plan would demolish three terminals and
construct a remote check-in facility for passengers about one mile from the
airport. 

Passengers would be screened at the facility and then transported to the
terminal via people movers in an effort to eliminate vehicles around the
terminals (see ASR, July 30, 2003). 

The plan would dramatically transform the passenger experience at the
airport by centralizing parking areas into two locations on the east
boundary. 

The report produced by Santa Monica, Calif.-based RAND Corp. outlined 11
attack scenarios to identify the most dangerous and likely vulnerabilities
at the airport. RAND then offered near-term cost-effective security
improvements to limit the vulnerability. 

RAND's recommendations clearly indicated concerns about explosives
detonating in and around the airport, since LAX's nine terminals form a
U-shaped cul-de-sac with an inner roadway passing directly in front of the
terminals. The primary strategy in the plan is to create a deterrent for
terrorists. 

"Terrorists will see the airport as an unsatisfactory target that is not
worth their effort," RAND said. 

RAND offered two low-cost suggestions that greatly reduce the airport's
vulnerability to terrorist attack. First, RAND recommended limiting the
density of people standing in lines in public areas, most often at airline
ticket counters since LAX can handle upwards of 60 million passengers
annually. 

Normal congestion in these areas has been amplified further since 2002 by
the introduction of more than 270 explosives trace detection (ETD) devices
and nearly 60 explosives detection systems (EDS), dumped into the lobbies of
LAX's nine terminals at a cost of more than $70 million. Passengers have
literally had to weave around the machines on their way from ticket counters
to security checkpoints. 

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has earmarked $342 million
for the completion of in-line baggage screening systems at LAX and Ontario
International Airport (ONT). Ontario is being favored to pick up overflow
traffic from LAX. 

Second, all vehicles entering the airport grounds should be subject to
inspections to thwart a large vehicle bomb exploding on the inner roadway
that could cause extensive damage to close-knit terminals. 

RAND also made two high-cost recommendations to reduce vulnerability. 

First, TSA should work to implement additional inspections of cargo on
passenger flights. RAND said this could cost about $100 million per year at
LAX alone, with potentially billions spent nationwide. 

Second, RAND proposed that all airport personnel should be given the same
level of background investigations required for TSA staff. RAND said the
investigations would not find terrorists, but could uncover people who have
financial problems and could be vulnerable to terrorist exploitation.
However, RAND did not suggest inspecting all airport personnel upon entrance
to the airport grounds at the same level of passenger screening. 

The study does not take into account the effectiveness of TSA procedures. 

See the report:
http://www.rand.org/pubs/documented_briefings/2004/RAND_DB468-1.pdf


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