The report follows the request of US Congress to study the feasibility of a national reporting system and data centre, designed to provide information on movements of hazardous materials. Such a system would create a central computerised system in which carriers would record information on hazardous materials as shipments occurred. Such information concerning the presence and identify of hazardous materials is essential to emergency responders in the event of incidents during transportation. Such a system would either complement or replace existing information sources. Chapters discuss hazardous material regulations, emergency information, benefits of improved information and options for improved information. Chapter 1, the introduction to the report, describes the congressional charge to the committee, the origin and history of the national central reporting system proposal, and the approach that was taken in conducting this study. Hazardous materials transportation, its regulation, and its safety record are described in Chapter 2; emergency response information needs and the performance of the existing information system are analysed in Chapter 3; potential technological means of solving information problems are described in Chapter 4; and nontechnological means are addressed in Chapter 5.
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