In a Washington Post article printed September 10, 2002, several experts, using a grading system similar to the grading system used in most public schools, graded Homeland Security. Trains, Trucks and Buses received an "A". Robert Gallamore, director of the Transportation Center at Northwestern University said freight railroads deserve high marks for speed, thoroughness and likely accuracy of an industry-wide threat assessment after Sept. 11.The article stated that freight carriers have instituted a four level alert system. The lowest level signifies a normal situation and the highest indicates an attack on the system. Railroads have been at level 2 (heightened security) since Sept. 11, except for a period after the outbreak of war in Afghanistan, when the level jumped to Level 3 (credible threat).