On August 23, 2006, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) awarded a contract to the National Academies to initiate a pilot of a Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Program (HMCRP). The Transportation Research Board (TRB), part of the National Academies, is responsible for managing the pilot program. The HMCRP is intended to be a stakeholder-driven, problem-solving, practical oriented, near- to mid-term research and development program advancing current knowledge and practice relating to hazardous materials transportation.
HM-01 Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Data and Analysis
The objective of this project is to produce an updated, user-friendly guidebook for conducting hazardous materials commodity flow surveys to support local risk assessment, emergency response preparedness, and resource allocation and to support analyses across jurisdictional boundaries. This guidebook should be targeted at transportation planning and operations staff at the local and regional levels, as well as local and regional personnel involved in hazardous materials training, and emergency response. Status: Completed.
HM-02 Hazardous Materials Transportation Incident Data for Root Cause Analysis
The objectives of this research were to (1) develop a set of practical recommendations for methods to improve the availability and quality of hazardous materials transportation incident data, (2) identify gaps and redundancies in reporting requirements, and (3) provide an estimate of the under-reporting of serious incidents. The scope included all transportation modes covered by 49 CFR Parts 100-180. Status: Completed.
The objective of this project was to develop a guide for conducting assessments of emergency response needs and capabilities for hazardous materials releases. The guide addresses four elements: (a) conducting state, regional, and local hazardous material emergency response needs assessments; (b) developing, maintaining, and sharing capability assessments; (c) aligning assessed needs with various levels of capability; and (d) identifying shortfalls where additional/different capabilities are warranted. The guide includes recommended methods for monitoring and recording changes in response capability over time, in order to avoid a static snapshot. Status: Completed.
HM-04 Emerging Technologies Applicable to Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety and Security
The objectives of this project are to (1) develop a list of near-term (less than 5 years) and longer-term (5¿10 years) technologies that are candidates for use in enhancing the safety and security of hazardous materials transportation, as applied by shippers, carriers, emergency responders, or government regulatory and enforcement agencies; (2) identify emerging technologies that hold the greatest promise of being introduced during these near- and longer-term spans; and (3) identify potential impediments to and opportunities for their development, deployment, and maintenance (e.g., technical, economic, legal, and institutional). Status: Completed.
HM-05 Evaluation of the Use of Electronic Shipping Papers for Hazardous Materials Shipments
The objective of this research is to develop a roadmap for the use of electronic shipping papers as an alternative to the current paper-based hazardous materials communication system. The roadmap will address the electronic transfer of safety, operational, regulatory compliance, and emergency response data and documentation, for and amongst all transport modes. Status: Project underway.
This research developed a tool to assess, classify, predict, and quickly communicate fate and transport characteristics of chemical mixtures released into the soil and groundwater as a result of hazardous materials transportation incidents. The tool allows carriers, shippers, responders, risk compliance specialists, and regulators to assess, compare, classify, and communicate the environmental hazards to soil and groundwater posed by chemical mixtures in transport. Status: Completed.
HM-07 Accident Performance Data of Bulk Packages Used for Hazardous Materials Transportation
The objectives of this research are to (1) recommend methodologies for collecting and analyzing performance data for U.S. DOT-specified hazardous materials bulk packages (i.e., portable tanks and cargo tank motor vehicles) and (2) identify and evaluate institutional barriers to data collection and recommendations for overcoming these barriers. Status: Project underway.
HM-08 Consolidated Security Credential for Persons Who Transport Hazardous Materials
The objective of this research is to identify options for achieving the objective of a single, universally recognized credential that establishes (a) identity; (b) eligibility to access secure areas; and (c) eligibility to obtain or hold transportation-related licenses, credentials and other government certifications required of persons who transport hazardous materials by all modes in the U.S. Status: Completed.
HM-09 Technical Assessment of Dry Ice Limits on Aircraft
The objective of this research is to develop a decision tool(s) to assist passenger and cargo-only aircraft operators in determining the maximum quantity of dry ice that can be safely carried as cargo. Status: Project underway.
HM-10 Current Hazardous Materials Transportation Research and Future Needs
The objective of the research is to review and compile current and proposed hazardous materials transportation research and prioritize future research needs for HMCRP. Status: Project underway.
HM-11 Improving Local Community Recovery from Disastrous Hazardous Materials Transportation Incidents
The objective of this research is to develop a compendium of best practices that can be used by local communities to plan for recovery from disastrous hazardous materials transportation incidents. Status: Project underway.
HM-12 Hazardous Materials Transportation Risk Assessment: State of the Practice
The objectives of this project are to (a) identify existing tools, methodologies, approaches, and key sources of data for assessing hazardous materials transportation risks in the public and private sectors; (b) characterize the capabilities and limitations of each; (c) identify where there are significant gaps and needs in the available tools and approaches; and (d) recommend paths forward. Status: Project underway.
HM-13 Role of Human Factors in Preventing Cargo Tank Truck Rollovers
The objectives of this research are to (1) identify and analyze the root causes of the major driver factors contributing to cargo tank truck rollovers and (2) determine best safety, management, and communication practices that can be used to minimize or eliminate driver errors in cargo tank truck operations. Status: Project underway.
HM-14 Improved Classification and Categorization of Water-Reactive Substances
The objective of this research is to investigate new or enhanced test procedures and classification criteria for water-reactive substances in order to take into account the potential build up of flammable or toxic gases within a container or cargo hold that could lead to explosions. Status: Project tentatively selected; waiting for RFP.
HM-15 Best Practices in Hazardous Materials Pipeline Emergency Response Plans
The objective of this research is to develop a best practices guide that addresses both the appropriate content as well as dissemination of Hazardous Materials Pipeline Emergency Response Plans. Status: Project tentatively selected; waiting for RFP.
HM-16 Model Post-Secondary Curriculum for the Transportation of Hazardous Materials
The objective of this research is to develop a model post-secondary curriculum that addresses the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by the public and private sectors for the safe and efficient transportation of hazardous materials. Status: Project tentatively selected; waiting for RFP.
HM-17 Methodology for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Hazardous Materials Transportation Training
The objective of this research is to develop a methodology, including metrics, to determine the effectiveness of training programs and instructional methods used to impart the currently required hazardous materials transportation information to employees. Status: Project tentatively selected; waiting for RFP.