Hazardous materials transportation risk assessments are often designed for different purposes and used in different ways by government agencies and the private sector. There are a number of models/methodologies used in each sector, from simplified to extremely complex, that have varying data needs and make varying degrees of assumptions. Different assessment tools and approaches may be applicable to only specific transportation scenarios, activities, or purposes. In addition, many of the assessments address single modes of transportation, and there are few published methods to adequately compare risk across modes or in combinations of modes. There is a need for the government sector to better understand how the private sector performs and uses risk assessments and risk management and for the private sector to appreciate government needs in regulating hazardous materials in transport. Under HMCRP Project 12, Visual Risk Technologies, Inc., was asked to prepare a report that (a) identifies existing tools, methodologies, approaches, and key sources of data for assessing hazardous materials transportation risks in the public and private sectors; (b) characterizes the capabilities and limitations of each; (c) identifies where there are significant gaps and needs in the available tools and approaches; and (d) recommends paths forward. The first phase of the project captured the status of the current practice of hazardous materials transportation risk assessment, including current uses, existing models, and available data sources. The second phase of the project focused on synthesizing the research compiled in Phase I and determining where gaps exist in available tools, techniques, and data. Phase II also included presenting a path forward for addressing these gaps and supporting better risk assessments in the future. The project included a literature review and extensive interviews with hazardous materials transportation risk assessment stakeholders. In addition, an online survey was used to expand the collection of information to a wider group of stakeholders. The results of these information gathering steps were summarized, and the current uses of risk assessments for each stakeholder were reported according to the following categories: (1) current uses, users, modes, and decision making; (2) models, tools, methodologies, approaches; (3) key sources of data; (4) assumptions, limitations, biases, and availability; (5) updates; (6) risk communication; (7) desired improvements; and (8) implementation barriers. The key risk assessment approaches involving models or methodologies with sufficient documentation or available information were further characterized in a set of decision matrices. The matrices are designed to facilitate selection of a model for application to a hazardous materials transportation stakeholder’s particular needs. A PowerPoint presentation that describes the entire project is available on the TRB website at http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/169158.aspx. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting