Research in Hazardous Research in Hazardous Materials Transportation – New Materials Transportation – New Cooperative Research Program Cooperative Research Program

John Allen, BattelleJohn Allen, Battelle

FHWA Talking Freight SeriesFHWA Talking Freight Series

October 19, 2006October 19, 2006

Topics for DiscussionTopics for Discussion

TRB Special Report #283 “Cooperative TRB Special Report #283 “Cooperative Research for Hazardous Materials Research for Hazardous Materials Transportation, Defining the Needs and Transportation, Defining the Needs and Converging on Solutions”Converging on Solutions”

Congressional Legislation – Section 7131 Congressional Legislation – Section 7131 of SAFETEA-LUof SAFETEA-LU

Early Program Development and StatusEarly Program Development and Status

TRB Special Report 283TRB Special Report 283

Cooperative Research forCooperative Research forHazardous Materials TransportationHazardous Materials TransportationDefining the Need, Converging on Defining the Need, Converging on

SolutionsSolutions

SponsorsSponsors: RSPA, FMCSA, FRA, USCG: RSPA, FMCSA, FRA, USCG

ChargeCharge: : – Assess Assess needneed for a national cooperative for a national cooperative

research program for hazmat transportationresearch program for hazmat transportation

– Examine Examine options for program finance, options for program finance, governance, and managementgovernance, and management commensurate commensurate with need and character of hazmat sector with need and character of hazmat sector

– Offer practical advice on Offer practical advice on whether and how to whether and how to pursue a cooperative research programpursue a cooperative research program for for hazmat transportation.hazmat transportation.

ProcessProcessNRC appointed 14-member study committee NRC appointed 14-member study committee with expertise in:with expertise in:– Hazmat shipping, transportation, research Hazmat shipping, transportation, research

management, risk analysis, enforcement, emergency management, risk analysis, enforcement, emergency planning and response planning and response

Met 3 times from April to September 2004Met 3 times from April to September 2004

Stakeholder workshop to identify shared Stakeholder workshop to identify shared research needs and program options: research needs and program options: – >60 participants from public and private sectors, >60 participants from public and private sectors,

state, local, federal agenciesstate, local, federal agencies

Structure of ReportStructure of Report

Overview of Hazmat SectorOverview of Hazmat SectorCurrent Federal Research Related to Hazmat Current Federal Research Related to Hazmat TransportationTransportationIdentification of Shared Research Needs (public-Identification of Shared Research Needs (public-private, interagency, and inter-jurisdictional) private, interagency, and inter-jurisdictional) enterpriseenterpriseInsights from Other Cooperative Research ProgramsInsights from Other Cooperative Research ProgramsOptions for Program Finance, Governance, Options for Program Finance, Governance, ManagementManagementEnvisioned Program and Recommended Next StepsEnvisioned Program and Recommended Next Steps

FindingsFindings

Hazmat concerns becoming more varied and complex Hazmat concerns becoming more varied and complex – safety, environment, and security safety, environment, and security – traffic growth, changing traffic patterns and transport traffic growth, changing traffic patterns and transport

environmentenvironment– public is less tolerant of riskpublic is less tolerant of risk

Risk management is public and private effortRisk management is public and private effort– Involves carriers from all modes, shippers from all industriesInvolves carriers from all modes, shippers from all industries– state and local gov’t, emergency respondersstate and local gov’t, emergency responders– >dozen federal agencies>dozen federal agencies– all have need for good information to coordinate decisionsall have need for good information to coordinate decisions

Few means available for entities to work together to find Few means available for entities to work together to find solutions to shared and related problemssolutions to shared and related problems– federal agency research is “mission-specific”federal agency research is “mission-specific”– gaps in solving problems that cut across missionsgaps in solving problems that cut across missions

ConclusionConclusion

There is a Growing Need for Cooperative There is a Growing Need for Cooperative Research Research

Research to support consistent and effective Research to support consistent and effective policymaking and regulationpolicymaking and regulation

Research to support planning and preparing Research to support planning and preparing for emergenciesfor emergencies

Research to support first responseResearch to support first response

Report AvailabilityReport Availability

Cooperative Research for Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research for Hazardous Materials Transportation: Defining the Need, Converging on Transportation: Defining the Need, Converging on SolutionsSolutions

Trb.org. Go to: Trb.org. Go to: Recently Released TRB PublicationsRecently Released TRB Publications Subjects:Subjects: FreightFreightTRB Publication:TRB Publication: TRB Special ReportTRB Special Report #283 #283

Staff ContactStaff Contact: : Tom MenziesTom MenziesTRB, National AcademiesTRB, National Academies202-334-1837202-334-1837tmenzies@nas.edutmenzies@nas.edu

Congressional Legislation – Congressional Legislation – SAFETEA-LU SAFETEA-LU

SEC. 7131. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESEARCH PROJECTS.SEC. 7131. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESEARCH PROJECTS.(a) IN GENERAL.-The Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous (a) IN GENERAL.-The Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall enter into a contract with the Materials Safety Administration shall enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Sciences to carry out the 9 research projects to carry out the 9 research projects called for in the 2005 Special Report 283called for in the 2005 Special Report 283 of the Transportation of the Transportation Research Board entitled ''Cooperative Research for Hazardous Research Board entitled ''Cooperative Research for Hazardous Materials Transportation: Defining the Need, Converging on Materials Transportation: Defining the Need, Converging on Solutions''. In carrying out the research projects, the National Solutions''. In carrying out the research projects, the National Academy of Sciences shall consult with the Administrator.Academy of Sciences shall consult with the Administrator.(b) REPORT.-Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of (b) REPORT.-Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a the Senate a report on the need to establish a cooperative research report on the need to establish a cooperative research program on hazardous materials transportation.program on hazardous materials transportation.(c) FUNDING.-Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) (c) FUNDING.-Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) of this Act, of this Act, $1,250,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009$1,250,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out this section.  shall be available to carry out this section. 

Result of LegislationResult of Legislation

Congress essentially established an HM Studies Congress essentially established an HM Studies Program, not a full-fledged CRPProgram, not a full-fledged CRPTRB named to administer the HM Studies TRB named to administer the HM Studies ProgramProgramDOT called to make report to Congress on the DOT called to make report to Congress on the need for an HMCRPneed for an HMCRP$1.25 million authorized for four years to $1.25 million authorized for four years to complete the HM Studies complete the HM Studies HM Studies Program consists of the 9 studies HM Studies Program consists of the 9 studies named in SR 283 and the legislationnamed in SR 283 and the legislation

#1 Assessment of Opportunities to Integrate #1 Assessment of Opportunities to Integrate Safety and Security Measures for Hazmat Safety and Security Measures for Hazmat

TransportationTransportation

Objectives:Objectives:1.1. Identify areas where safety and security measures Identify areas where safety and security measures

are compatible and may complement each other are compatible and may complement each other 2.2. Identify areas where safety and security measures Identify areas where safety and security measures

may conflict with each othermay conflict with each other3.3. Determine differences in responding to a traditional Determine differences in responding to a traditional

incident vs. a terrorist event incident vs. a terrorist event 4.4. Outline comprehensive approach to hazmat Outline comprehensive approach to hazmat

transportationtransportation

Estimated Cost/Schedule: $500k-$1 Estimated Cost/Schedule: $500k-$1 million/18-36 months million/18-36 months

#2 Data on Traffic and Highway Geometric #2 Data on Traffic and Highway Geometric Characteristics in Large Truck Crashes for Characteristics in Large Truck Crashes for

Use in Risk Analysis Use in Risk Analysis

Objectives:Objectives:1.1. Compile existing data on relationship between large Compile existing data on relationship between large

truck crashes and highway featurestruck crashes and highway features

2.2. Determine usefulness of these data in performing Determine usefulness of these data in performing risk analysisrisk analysis

3.3. Propose centralized large truck crash data basePropose centralized large truck crash data base

Estimated Cost/Schedule: $500k/24 Estimated Cost/Schedule: $500k/24 months months

#3 Recommendations for Development of #3 Recommendations for Development of Conditional Release Probablities for Bulk Conditional Release Probablities for Bulk

Containers In AccidentsContainers In Accidents

Objectives:Objectives:1.1. Provide documented recommendations on possible Provide documented recommendations on possible

design and funding alternatives for nationwide design and funding alternatives for nationwide system to collect and analyze performance data of system to collect and analyze performance data of intermodal bulk containers.intermodal bulk containers.

2.2. Develop conditional release probabilities for various Develop conditional release probabilities for various container design specifications container design specifications

Estimated Cost/Schedule: $75-100k/12 Estimated Cost/Schedule: $75-100k/12 monthsmonths

#4 Development of Correlation Between #4 Development of Correlation Between Incident Risks and Consequences to Aid in Incident Risks and Consequences to Aid in

Decision-Making ModelsDecision-Making Models

Objectives:Objectives:1.1. Determine components of a model to validate risk Determine components of a model to validate risk

and consequence analysis of highway hazmat and consequence analysis of highway hazmat transporttransport

2.2. Make adaptable to routing and regulatory analysesMake adaptable to routing and regulatory analyses

Estimated Cost/Schedule: $250k/18 Estimated Cost/Schedule: $250k/18 monthsmonths

#5 Development of an Environmental Hazard #5 Development of an Environmental Hazard Assessment System for Hazmat Assessment System for Hazmat

TransportationTransportation

Objectives:Objectives:1.1. Identify the key parameters that should be used to Identify the key parameters that should be used to

determine the environmental hazards of a given determine the environmental hazards of a given materialmaterial

2.2. Develop a methodology for an environmental Develop a methodology for an environmental hazard index that provides an accurate estimation hazard index that provides an accurate estimation of relative hazardsof relative hazards

Estimated Cost/Schedule: $1 million/36 Estimated Cost/Schedule: $1 million/36 monthsmonths

#6 Recommendations for Commercial #6 Recommendations for Commercial Transportation Incident and Commodity Flow Transportation Incident and Commodity Flow

Studies Studies Objectives:Objectives:

1.1. Provide accurate data for the evaluation of hazmat Provide accurate data for the evaluation of hazmat transport incident rates and release probabilitiestransport incident rates and release probabilities

2.2. Prepare documented recommendations for Prepare documented recommendations for collection of nationwide commercial transport collection of nationwide commercial transport accident frequencies and traffic volumes for accident frequencies and traffic volumes for improved risk assessmentimproved risk assessment

Estimated Cost/Schedule: $500k/24 Estimated Cost/Schedule: $500k/24 monthsmonths

#7 Detailed Information for Conducting #7 Detailed Information for Conducting Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow

Studies Studies Objectives:Objectives:

1.1. Provide information for state and local agencies on Provide information for state and local agencies on methods and information systems that can be used methods and information systems that can be used to estimate hazmat commodity flows in their to estimate hazmat commodity flows in their jurisdictionjurisdiction

Estimated Cost/Schedule: $300k/18 Estimated Cost/Schedule: $300k/18 months months

#8 National Hazardous Materials Emergency #8 National Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Capability AssessmentResponse Capability Assessment

Objectives:Objectives:1.1. Determine location and quality of response Determine location and quality of response

coverage for hazmat incidentscoverage for hazmat incidents2.2. Identify geographic locations where coverage is Identify geographic locations where coverage is

inadequateinadequate3.3. Develop cost-effective strategies for improving Develop cost-effective strategies for improving

response to acceptable levelsresponse to acceptable levels4.4. Create a more systematic and efficient approach for Create a more systematic and efficient approach for

allocation government funding to response needsallocation government funding to response needs

Estimated Cost/Schedule: $500k/24 monthsEstimated Cost/Schedule: $500k/24 months

#9 Transportation Emergency Response #9 Transportation Emergency Response Guidelines for Hazardous MaterialsGuidelines for Hazardous Materials

Objectives:Objectives:1.1. Provide a consistent guideline document for use by Provide a consistent guideline document for use by

emergency responders and handlers for managing emergency responders and handlers for managing hazmat incidents in transportationhazmat incidents in transportation

2.2. Define roles and responsibilities of carriers and Define roles and responsibilities of carriers and shippers in the event of an incident shippers in the event of an incident

3.3. Provide procedures that are consistent across all Provide procedures that are consistent across all modesmodes

Estimated Cost/Schedule: $500-650k/24 Estimated Cost/Schedule: $500-650k/24 monthsmonths

Early Program Planning for HM Early Program Planning for HM Studies ProgramStudies Program

TRB has received the contract and the funding from TRB has received the contract and the funding from DOT for FY06 – after administrative costs, approximately DOT for FY06 – after administrative costs, approximately $900k to be available for research projects. $900k to be available for research projects.

TRB is now organizing the Oversight Panel consisting of TRB is now organizing the Oversight Panel consisting of key stakeholder organizations – 12 person panelkey stakeholder organizations – 12 person panel

First Oversight panel meeting to be held in late First Oversight panel meeting to be held in late NovemberNovember– Will decide on priorities among the nine studies and further Will decide on priorities among the nine studies and further

define scope of the studiesdefine scope of the studies

First RFPs planned for Jan/Feb, 07 – TRB will be First RFPs planned for Jan/Feb, 07 – TRB will be forming Technical Review Panels for each projectforming Technical Review Panels for each project

Participation in TRB HM Studies Participation in TRB HM Studies ProgramProgram

HM Studies Program, FY06-09HM Studies Program, FY06-09– Possible memberships in Technical Project Possible memberships in Technical Project

Panels for the 9 specific projects to be fundedPanels for the 9 specific projects to be funded– Bid on RFP opportunities to be released by Bid on RFP opportunities to be released by

TRBTRB

If the HM Studies Program grows into a If the HM Studies Program grows into a full-fledged, annually funded CRP -full-fledged, annually funded CRP -– Annual solicitation for research ideas in Annual solicitation for research ideas in

hazmat transportation – similar to annual call hazmat transportation – similar to annual call for research in NCHRP and TCRP programs. for research in NCHRP and TCRP programs.