The Transportation Security Administration has launched a pilot program to track trucks hauling hazardous materials in an effort to improve security against potential terrorist attacks.

According to a news release, the TSA has awarded grants to two different companies – SAIC of McLean, Va. and General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems of Buffalo, NY.

SAIC received $1.4 million in July to evaluate truck-tracking solutions and develop a prototype truck-tracking center designed to enhance security for hazmat transportation.

General Dynamics received $3.1 million Sept. 23 to help develop and demonstrate the truck-tracking center as well as a universal system that will allow the collection of alert information and tracking information from commercially available tracking systems.

TSA is currently evaluating different commercially available tracking systems to determine which ones will be used in the program.

Jim Blair, TSA’s acting chief operating officer, said in a news release that the ultimate goal of the program is to improve hazmat safety.

“Evaluating available technologies will help us determine the best way to mitigate the threat of terrorists using hazmat-carrying trucks, and then to develop the capability to quickly coordinate the response to an incident or threat,” he said.