TSAT Security Sweeps

As previously stated, NYSDOT work-areas are varied and include office cubicles, vehicles, warehouses, construction sites, bridges, rest stops, etc... Dependant upon your work-area, your security sweep may involve a physical walk-through or equipment inspection.

You are to continuously monitor activities in and around your work-area including agency:

In regards to vehicles and equipment, look for signs of tampering including:

Open or disturbed compartments or doors (hatches, hoods, access panels, etc.)
Unusually clean or dirty latches, handles, or locks
Items attached to vehicles with magnets or duct tape
Scratches or marks made by prying tools
Things that are out of place

Look at the photos above again. Is there anything suspicious? Did you notice the partially opened hood of the pick-up? Did you see the package duct-taped to the back of the truck cab?

image of New York State rest area image of employee working at a Traffic Managment Center image of office building

Agency facilities include but are not limited to:

Rest areas
Traffic Management Centers
Residencies and Maintenance/Service Areas
Office Buildings

In regards to rest areas, scan around or near:

Light posts and fixtures
Trash containers
Benches
Restrooms
Vending machines
Phone booths
Along walls and fences
Open and idle spaces
In bushes and foliage

For residencies and maintenance/service areas, look around or near:

Fuel pads
Storage tanks
Tank-fill areas
Perimeter fences and walls
Light fixtures
Around vehicles
Trash containers

Agency infrastructure includes:

In regards to bridges and related structures, scan around or near:

image of DOT bridge worker image of bridge in New York

Footings
Piers and abutments
Hidden areas of supports and beams
Stairwells and walkways
Service rooms and cabinets
Decking and railings

In regards to tunnels, scan around or near:

Cable and pipe chases and duct work
Behind and beneath cables, signals, and other appliances
Around or in control, communications or electrical cabinets and rooms
Stairwells and walkways
Ventilation equipment
Passageways
Exit stairs and shafts
Portals

image of air terminal image of tank farm image of big rail yard

Other neighboring systems and assets with which we may interact include:

Airports and marine terminals
Power and other utility plants
Water and sewage treatment plants
Petrochemical plants
Pipelines
Communication and cell towers
Railroad and transit systems
Government buildings
Historic landmarks

They are potential targets as well.

Again, the primary reason to regularly perform work-area security sweeps is to assess threats, vulnerabilities and risks to NYSDOT assets. As transportation employees, by the nature of your job, you are best positioned to recognize suspicious activities, packages, devices or substances.