Ports, roads, rails pose 'daunting' challenges.

• Author: Book, Elizabeth G.
• Position: Security Beat

The United States needs to improve security for other modes of transportation besides aviation, warned Richard Bennis, the Transportation Department's associate undersecretary for maritime and land security.

While much has been done to make airline travel safer since 9/11, the challenges in protecting U.S. seaports, shorelines and land transportation "are daunting," the retired Coast Guard admiral told a congressional hearing. He noted that the United States has:

* 3.9 million miles of public roads.

* 120,000 miles of major rail lines.

* 2.2 million miles of pipelines, carrying gasoline, natural gas and crude oil.

* 25,000 miles of commercial, navigable waterways.

* Public transportation systems--including buses, subways, light rails, commuter rails and ferries--that make more than 9 billion commuter trips per year.

* 350 ports visited at which 7,500 foreign-flagged vessels make 51,000 visits each year, importing more than six containers.

The containers--and the shipping industry...