Railroad/Highway Grade Crossing Accidents Involving Trucks Transporting Bulk Hazardous Materials

摘要

The National Transportation Safety Board has studied accident data collected by four other Federal agencies, has investigated 14 accidents involving train collisions with trucks transporting hazardous materials, and as a result has determined certain characteristics of such collisions. An average of 62 accidents of this type occur annually, resulting in an average of more than $1.6 million in property damage, 41 injuries, and 7 fatalities. Some recent individual accidents have involved fatalities and property damage in excess of previous yearly averages. One railroad's data when extrapolated suggest that there may be as many as 750 near-collisions between trains and trucks transporting bulk hazardous materials each year. The accidents tend to involve trucks transporting petroleum products and to occur close to distribution/storage terminals. A uniform effort, as an extension of Operation Lifesaver, which includes engineering, education, enforcement, and legislation, is needed to reduce these types of accidents. Additionally, changes in data systems are needed.