January 14, 2003

BATTELLE WORKS WITH PARTNERS TO BOOST SECURITY OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION

Battelle is working on two fronts with the U.S. Department of Transportation to keep hazardous materials transportation safe.

One thrust has Battelle developing and testing new security technology designed to enhance the security of highway transportation of hazardous materials.

The other involves training and educational outreach to government and law enforcement officials who are responsible for daily inspections of vehicles transporting hazardous materials.

Battelle has a history, dating back to the 1950s, of providing the government with technical support services in hazardous materials transportation.

"We are actively involved with our government and industry partners and with the people responsible for the day-to-day safety of our highways," said Battelle's John Allen, Project Manager and VP of Battelle's Transportation business sector. "By teaming in this way and tapping into world-class technology, we hope to reduce security threats related to transporting hazardous materials."

The technology work, part of a $2.5 million contract, will test a range of technologies in all areas of transportation including pick-up, en route movement, and delivery. Partners include the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, the American Transportation Research Institute, Qualcomm, Inc., Total Security Services International, Biometrics Solutions Group, Inc., Savi Technologies, and Veridian.

Some of the technologies that will be tested include driver identification and verification systems such as biometric smart cards; cargo tampering alerts; remote cargo locking; remote vehicle disabling; real-time cargo location systems; real-time emergency alert notifications; out-of-route emergency alerts; and receiver notification and verification.

On the second front, Battelle will perform security education and outreach as part of an $875,000 contract with the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration. Battelle will develop a risk analysis, a model security plan, security training and a cost benefit analysis for the U.S. DOT's hazmat transportation security program. In addition, it will work with drivers and law enforcement to increase awareness of security threats and ways to prevent them.

Battelle serves industry and government in the areas of technology development, laboratory management, and technology commercialization. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle has annual revenues of $1.2 billion, has operations at more than 100 locations and clients in 30 countries. It counts as its successes the development of the office copier machine (Xerox), pioneering work on the compact disc, medical technology breakthroughs, and fiber optic advancements for telecommunications.

For more information visit www.battelle.org or contact Media Relations Manager Katy Delaney at (614) 424-5544 or at delaneyk@battelle.org.