Publications

The Transportation Systems Center at Sandia Laboratory performs research, development, and implementation of technologies that enhance the safe movement of people, goods, and information. Our focus is on systems engineering. However, we realize that to understand the puzzle, you must also understand the pieces. This brochure describes some of the activities currently underway at the Center and presents the breadth and depth of our capabilities. Please contact the noted, individuals for more, information.

The mission of our Center is to enhance the security, prosperity and well-being of our citizens by the application of a security systems approach incorporating the concepts of protection-in-depth, balance, and cost-effective protection. We will build upon the expertise gained through decades of providing security for the DOE nuclear weapons complex and DoD nuclear weapons storage facilities and solve security problems of national importance. Our mission will be accomplished while: Enhancing our ability to fulfill our role as the lead DOE Laboratory in physical security R&D; enhancing our ability to fulfill our role in nuclear weapons surety; enhancing our ability to respond to security requests from other federal, state,, and local agencies; and providing taxpayers a substantial return on investment, both directly in cost savings and indirectly in leveraged benefits. A brief description of research on security systems is described.

The Vindicator ETW-250 taut wire system combines a physical taut wire barrier with an intrusion detection sensor network. The sensor wires deter and/or slow physical entry into protected areas. The sensors themselves generate an alarm if the sensor wires are pulled, spread, cut, or climbed on. This physical motion is converted into an electrical waveform that is analyzed by the processor. The processor then determines if this motion is within the pre-programmed parameters. If it is not, an alarm is generated through a relay back to the monitoring station. Small changes, such as those caused by temperature, are rejected. Installation and testing are described.