Rail Accidents Raise Safety Concerns

摘要

Arecord 97,135 carloads of crude oil were shipped across the U.S. in the first quarter of this year, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR). That represents a 166% increase from the 36,544 carloads originated in the same period in 2012. The trade group also states that 99.9% of all rail-bound hazardous materials shipments reach their destination without incident. Also, the International Energy Agency released a report in May stating that North American pipelines spilled three times as much oil between 2004 and 2012 as did railroads. Yet, a slew of train derailments this year has raised questions in some public and political arenas about the safety of crude by rail (CBR).