Design and implementation of an integrated technology system for rail shipper safety & security. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dash, Ishita; Abkowitz, Mark; Loftis, Don; Philip, Craig
• Is Part Of: Journal of rail transport planning & management. Volume 20(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Hazardous materials -- Rail -- Safety -- Security -- Risk management -- Sensors; Railroads -- Periodicals; Railroads -- Planning -- Periodicals; Railroads -- Management -- Periodicals; Railroads; Railroads -- Management; Railroads -- Planning; Periodicals; 385.068
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jrtpm.2021.100281
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2210-9706

Abstract

Abstract: Numerous hazardous materials (hazmat) shipments travel daily by rail in the U.S. While the industry has an impressive safety and security track record, incidents continue to occur, posing risks to hazmat responders, inspectors, carriers, shippers and the community at large. One promising area to minimize the risks of rail hazmat transport is through deployment of smart systems to improve the accuracy and timeliness of communication among stakeholders. Providing the rail shipper with these capabilities is key to influencing the entire supply chain. The shipper loads the product, knows its material properties, often owns the fleet equipment, and never completely relinquishes its custodial role until the product is successfully delivered to the customer. This paper describes the results of a study to conceptualize and demonstrate how the integration of a number of technologies can be leveraged by rail hazmat shippers to achieve enhanced safety and security. It includes a discussion of system components, how information is transmitted to the rail hazmat shipper to form an integrated database, and messaging of alerts to appropriate hazmat transportation stakeholders. A case study is included to illustrate how system output is being used by a rail hazmat shipper in making improved risk-informed decisions. Highlights: Rail transport of hazardous materials poses risks to carriers, shippers, emergency responders and the community at large. A promising area of risk mitigation is deployment of smart systems to improve communication accuracy and timeliness. Providing the rail shipper with these capabilities is key to influencing the entire supply chain. This paper describes how the integration of several technologies can be leveraged by rail hazmat shippers for this purpose. A case study illustrates how system output is used by a rail hazmat shipper in making improved risk-informed decisions.