Rail group comments on rail hazmat rule

“We will continue to work with our partners at the federal, state and local levels and the chemical industry to ensure that these chemicals arrive safely and securely.” — Association of American Railroads

The Trucker News Services

12/9/2008

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) last month reported that the Department of Homeland Security released final regulations concerning the rail transportation of hazardous materials. The Rail Security Final Rule will go into effect 30 days from the date it is published in the Federal Register, which was Nov. 26.

The rail industry is now in the process of reviewing these regulations and evaluating their impact on rail operations, AAR reported on its Web site.

Each year, 1.7 million carloads of hazardous materials are transported by rail in the United States; 99.996 percent of these shipments reach their destination without a release caused by an accident. The U.S. freight rail industry has taken the lead in efforts to reduce the risks associated with hazmat transportation.

As common carriers, the rail industry has always taken its obligation to move hazmat seriously. The industry maintains an active risk-based security plan and works closely with federal security agencies to monitor and review intelligence information.

In addition, the industry has developed new and improved tank car standards, developed special operating procedures for trains and routes carrying highly-hazardous materials and worked closely with chemical manufacturers and consumers to reduce the mileage and time in transit of toxic-by-inhalation chemicals, the AAR report stated, adding that “We will continue to work with our partners at the federal, state and local levels and the chemical industry to ensure that these chemicals arrive safely and securely.”