Recommended Security Guidelines for Airport Planning, Design, and Construction - Book Report/Review Example

Recommended Security Guidelines for Airport Planning, Design, and Construction In the aviation industry, security is the fundamental issue of concern with the issue of terrorism threatening to be a major setback to the industry. In this regard, it is important for stakeholders to enact various measures aimed at enhancing the safety of people and protection of property. Hence, the first step towards achieving this objective is to ensure that the airports were safety. However, the safety of airports starts with the planning stages of the design, which incorporates a number of security measures. This expose provides the important factors considered by airport operators or airport security coordinators during the planning, designing and construction of an airport. It is important to carry out a vulnerability assessment in order to ensure that security concerns resulting from the assessment are addresses during the designing stage instead of later stages, which might be more expensive. While carrying out a vulnerability assessment in an airport, there are various aspects to consider. First, it is important to assess the relative value and economic impact of all the assets in the airport (Transportation Security Administration [TSA], 2011). In this case, this assessment dwells on the perception of threats to the assets and quantifies the amount of risks. Secondly, it is crucial to consider the number of emergency exits from public areas that lead to secured areas. Conversely, another aspect to consider is the availability of barriers and controls that limited access to secure areas. In addition, a vulnerability assessment will consider any breaches and unauthorized entries to sterile areas (TSA, 2011). Boundaries protect and delineate restricted areas from unauthorized entry. However, it is important to consider the appropriateness of natural barriers based on the risks and vulnerability assessments and whether there was a need to complement the natural barriers with other boundaries. Secondly, it is important to consider the access points for personnel and vehicles, in the airport, through the boundary lines. Overall, the fundamental point to consider when assessing boundaries and access points is the effectiveness and functionality of an access point or a boundary at an airport (TSA, 2011). Airport facilities influence the security and access requirements of the area of their location. One such facility in an airport is the aircraft maintenance facility, which may contain an aircraft ramp or a hangar and might be accessible to the public. In effect, the location of these facilities necessitates the need for coordination with airport controllers for access control since they are part of an airside or landside’s boundary line (TSA, 2011). On the other hand, other airport facilities such as aircraft movement areas are entirely on the airside of an airport. As a result, these facilities are within secured areas that require security measures outlined by the TSA regulations while adhering to laid down Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) (TSA, 2011). Finally, other facilities in an airport like aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) facilities are crucial to the operations of an airport. Such facilities, like the aircraft rescue and fire fighting facilities stretch through the airside and landside boundary. The critical nature of the importance of these facilities for the operations of an airport makes public access restricted. However, there may be public access in necessary instances such as responding to emergencies. Effectively, the position of these facilities requires the consideration of the routes and times for emergency response (TSA, 2011). It is important to consider various airside features while designing or modifying airside facilities. First, it is important to consider the typography when designing the location of parking areas and aircraft movements. Secondly, it is crucial to consider the visibility of an area before considering the location of facilities used for passenger loading or unloading. Conversely, the location of overnight parking facilities should be in well-lit areas without any visual obstructions that inhibit the monitoring of aircrafts. Finally, the key element to consider while designing airside facilities such as roads, the accessibility of the roads and their restriction of access to authorized vehicles is the key feature to consider (TSA, 2011). During the designing and modification of landside facilities, one of the main elements of landslide features to consider regards the challenge in monitoring and control of security in these facilities since they are accessible to the public. Secondly, these facilities other key element to consider when designing them is the limitations in implementing efficient security measures due to varying terrains and different settings. Conversely, the main element to consider while designing landside roads is their propinquity to security fencing. In addition, it is crucial to consider unauthorized access to the airside that road facilities may offer during their designing (TSA, 2011). For terminal facilities, the key element in their designing and modification is the functionality area of terminal buildings in an airport. In addition, it is crucial to determine key elements such as the circulation, spatial definition, and the openness of a terminal lobby while designing terminal facilities such as lobbies. Another key element of landside feature considered during their design is the placement of blast-resistant features and other features that reduced risks and injuries resulting from bombs (TSA, 2011). Based on the foregoing, it is evident that the designing and construction of an airport requires efficient planning in order to improve the safety of people and property. In this regard, it is crucial to assess any potential vulnerability in an airport before developing its design. In addition, it is crucial to consider the key elements in features of landside facilities, terminal facilities, and terminal facilities before designing or modifying any of the facilities. Conversely, assessing boundaries and access points helps reduce any potential threat during the designing of an airport. In effect, these measures ensure the safety and security of airports during planning, designing, and their eventual construction. Reference Transportation Security Administration [TSA]. (2011). Recommended Security Guidelines for ii Airport Planning, Design and Construction [PDF document]. Retrieved from insert the web address whereby you retrieved the document from Read More