Tuesday, September 17, 2013
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is seeking public comment to further enhance the safe transportation of hazardous materials by rail tank cars, including the DOT 111 tank car, a type of non-pressure railcar commonly used in North America. PHMSA’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) reflects a collection of stakeholder input on railcar safety, including eight petitions for rulemaking and four National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations.
Recommendations in the ANPRM include enhanced tank head and shell puncture resistance systems for DOT 111 tank cars, as well as top fittings protection that exceed current requirements. These steps reflect recommendations from NTSB investigations, while PHMSA has already addressed a fifth recommendation with the issuance of an advisory bulletin regarding the protection of pipeline facilities near railways.
The ANPRM is the latest action taken by PHMSA to improve the safe transport of hazardous materials by rail, including a recent safety alert advising shippers and carriers that, when required, liquefied petroleum gas transported in rail tank cars or cylinders must be properly odorized, enabling shippers, carriers, and end users to detect leaks.
The agency is seeking public comment for 60 days on whether the proposals in its proposed rulemaking would enhance safety, as well as general comments on the regulations that apply to transporting hazardous materials by rail. “Last year was the safest in railroading history, with train incidents down by 43% over the last 10 years, and accidents involving a hazmat release down 16%,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
Recommendations in the ANPRM include enhanced tank head and shell puncture resistance systems for DOT 111 tank cars, as well as top fittings protection that exceed current requirements. These steps reflect recommendations from NTSB investigations, while PHMSA has already addressed a fifth recommendation with the issuance of an advisory bulletin regarding the protection of pipeline facilities near railways.
The ANPRM is the latest action taken by PHMSA to improve the safe transport of hazardous materials by rail, including a recent safety alert advising shippers and carriers that, when required, liquefied petroleum gas transported in rail tank cars or cylinders must be properly odorized, enabling shippers, carriers, and end users to detect leaks.
The agency is seeking public comment for 60 days on whether the proposals in its proposed rulemaking would enhance safety, as well as general comments on the regulations that apply to transporting hazardous materials by rail. “Last year was the safest in railroading history, with train incidents down by 43% over the last 10 years, and accidents involving a hazmat release down 16%,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
