TigerEROS
Aug 31st, 2005, 07:29 PM
TTC removes trash bins
Triggered by terrorism threat
New bins reduce risk of bombing
KEVIN MCGRAN
TRANSPORTATION REPORTER
The TTC is removing 1,600 garbage cans and 400 recycling bins from subway platforms to protect against a terror strike.
"In the grand scheme of things it's a small thing, but you can't be too cautious," said Toronto Transit Commission chairman Howard Moscoe.
Toronto joins a growing list of cities around the world that are removing trash cans as a way to defend against terrorism.
London has long banned garbage cans from its subway, a response to IRA attacks in the 1980s. Seoul just announced a similar measure, joining Washington, D.C., and San Francisco.
"The trigger for the whole thing is (the terror threat)," TTC operations manager Gary Webster said yesterday.
"Over a year ago we spoke about security concerns, what's happening around the world, what have other properties done with their garbage," Webster said.
According to one security expert, terrorists find trash-can bombs "a very cost-effective use of resources." They can be detonated by remote control, don't require suicide bombers, can be easily concealed, and offer a variety of locations from gas stations, to subways to crowded malls, said David Forbes, president of security firm BoydForbes Inc.
But where do subway passengers put their garbage?
A staff report to be debated by TTC commissioners today recommends the installation of 375 waste containers with stainless steel frames that hold clear plastic bags.
They would be located away from subway platforms, in the areas where commuters enter and exit the subway system. The $277,000 program will help combat "the threat of terrorism to our subway system," the report reads.
But subway users will have to carry their trash and recyclables to the mezzanine levels of stations where the new bins will be located. Two stops — Queen and Dundas — will have new trash bins on the subway platform level because those stations don't have mezzanines.
Moscoe said it's possible that TTC subway platforms and the trains will be littered with garbage if passengers just begin discarding their refuse on the floor. But the results of unannounced pilot tests at two stations suggest otherwise, Webster said.
"We actually believe the public will co-operate," said Webster. "There needs to be a big campaign to educate the public. Part of the public campaign is going to be what we're doing and why we're doing it, encourage them to take their garbage with them and deposit it at mezzanine level."
Security experts recommend that unnecessary trash containers be removed from use while those remaining be located in prominent, well-lit areas within view of cameras and away from sources of secondary fragmentation such as windows, mirrors or overhead glass.
Forbes argues against removing bins because the result will be messier subway platforms that can be a fire hazard and a haven for rats and vermin.
A better idea is the use of trash bins that can contain or diminish the effect of a bomb exploding within them.
The TTC concluded that by using waste bins that are frames holding garbage bags — instead of encased bins — the shrapnel effect of a bomb blast would be minimized, Webster said.
"By having a small stainless steel frame and clear bags, you can see when they're full and clear them out quickly; you can also see what's in them better," said Webster.
"Worst case, if someone was to do something stupid, you're going to get less shrapnel because you haven't tried to contain the bomb."
Webster said anything that can be done to contain a bomb — using stronger steel and an encased bin, for example — can be overcome by a bigger bomb.
"We said let's minimize the shrapnel issue and let's go with clear bags," he said.
================================================== =====
I definitely agree. If you have litter .... take it somewhere else. I don't want to be killed by a bomb in a garbage can on the subway platform. Heck! There's plenty of garbage cans on the streets.
Triggered by terrorism threat
New bins reduce risk of bombing
KEVIN MCGRAN
TRANSPORTATION REPORTER
The TTC is removing 1,600 garbage cans and 400 recycling bins from subway platforms to protect against a terror strike.
"In the grand scheme of things it's a small thing, but you can't be too cautious," said Toronto Transit Commission chairman Howard Moscoe.
Toronto joins a growing list of cities around the world that are removing trash cans as a way to defend against terrorism.
London has long banned garbage cans from its subway, a response to IRA attacks in the 1980s. Seoul just announced a similar measure, joining Washington, D.C., and San Francisco.
"The trigger for the whole thing is (the terror threat)," TTC operations manager Gary Webster said yesterday.
"Over a year ago we spoke about security concerns, what's happening around the world, what have other properties done with their garbage," Webster said.
According to one security expert, terrorists find trash-can bombs "a very cost-effective use of resources." They can be detonated by remote control, don't require suicide bombers, can be easily concealed, and offer a variety of locations from gas stations, to subways to crowded malls, said David Forbes, president of security firm BoydForbes Inc.
But where do subway passengers put their garbage?
A staff report to be debated by TTC commissioners today recommends the installation of 375 waste containers with stainless steel frames that hold clear plastic bags.
They would be located away from subway platforms, in the areas where commuters enter and exit the subway system. The $277,000 program will help combat "the threat of terrorism to our subway system," the report reads.
But subway users will have to carry their trash and recyclables to the mezzanine levels of stations where the new bins will be located. Two stops — Queen and Dundas — will have new trash bins on the subway platform level because those stations don't have mezzanines.
Moscoe said it's possible that TTC subway platforms and the trains will be littered with garbage if passengers just begin discarding their refuse on the floor. But the results of unannounced pilot tests at two stations suggest otherwise, Webster said.
"We actually believe the public will co-operate," said Webster. "There needs to be a big campaign to educate the public. Part of the public campaign is going to be what we're doing and why we're doing it, encourage them to take their garbage with them and deposit it at mezzanine level."
Security experts recommend that unnecessary trash containers be removed from use while those remaining be located in prominent, well-lit areas within view of cameras and away from sources of secondary fragmentation such as windows, mirrors or overhead glass.
Forbes argues against removing bins because the result will be messier subway platforms that can be a fire hazard and a haven for rats and vermin.
A better idea is the use of trash bins that can contain or diminish the effect of a bomb exploding within them.
The TTC concluded that by using waste bins that are frames holding garbage bags — instead of encased bins — the shrapnel effect of a bomb blast would be minimized, Webster said.
"By having a small stainless steel frame and clear bags, you can see when they're full and clear them out quickly; you can also see what's in them better," said Webster.
"Worst case, if someone was to do something stupid, you're going to get less shrapnel because you haven't tried to contain the bomb."
Webster said anything that can be done to contain a bomb — using stronger steel and an encased bin, for example — can be overcome by a bigger bomb.
"We said let's minimize the shrapnel issue and let's go with clear bags," he said.
================================================== =====
I definitely agree. If you have litter .... take it somewhere else. I don't want to be killed by a bomb in a garbage can on the subway platform. Heck! There's plenty of garbage cans on the streets.