TRB Special Report: Cooperative Research for Hazardous Materials Transportation: Defining the Need, Converging on Solutions

This article summarizes the findings of TRB Special Report 283, Cooperative Research for Hazardous Materials Transportation: Defining the Need, Converging on Solutions. Hazardous materials are moved throughout the country by all modes of freight transportation, including pipelines, ships, trucks, trains, and airplanes. Hazardous shipments vary in size and type, from small parcels containing a few ounces of infectious or radioactive substances to barges and railroad tank cars carrying tons of flammable, toxic, and corrosive materials. The study found that (1) safety, security, and environmental concerns associated with the transportation of hazardous materials are growing in number and complexity; (2) managing the risks associated with the transportation of hazardous materials is necessarily a joint effort involving many entities from industry and government; and (3) few means are available for the parties responsible for hazardous materials transportation to work together in seeking solutions to shared and related problems. A cooperative research program would address these problems from a wide range of perspectives. Such a program would allow the consolidation of resources, lead to greater acceptance of research results, and lead to widespread dissemination and application of the results.