The proximate cause of crude train incidents is derailments, not the high volatility of the cargo or the specifications of the cars themselves.
FRA data is available at http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety/default.aspx. Between January and November 2014 there were 1,124 Derailments (all causes) and 451 derailments involving the transport of hazardous materials. A very small proportion of those result in significant property damage bodily injury or fatalities.
However, it would appear that if the number of derailments were reduced the incidence of hazardous materials rail car derailments would also be reduced.
33.4% of derailments are the result of human error and 38.4% are the result of track problems. So what are the railroads doing to fix the problem?
The proximate cause of crude train incidents is derailments, not the high volatility of the cargo or the specifications of the cars themselves.
FRA data is available at http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety/default.aspx. Between January and November 2014 there were 1,124 Derailments (all causes) and 451 derailments involving the transport of hazardous materials. A very small proportion of those result in significant property damage bodily injury or fatalities.
However, it would appear that if the number of derailments were reduced the incidence of hazardous materials rail car derailments would also be reduced.
33.4% of derailments are the result of human error and 38.4% are the result of track problems. So what are the railroads doing to fix the problem?
Thanks for listening.