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Summary

In July 2013, the fatal Bakken oil train derailment in Lac Mégantic (Quebec, Canada) highlighted the importance of oversight of hazardous materials (hazmat) being transported by rail. Recent increases in rail transportation of hazmat—particularly crude oil shipments, further underscore the importance of proactively mitigating safety risks.  Due to the public safety risk posed by increased transport of hazmat by rail, we are initiating an audit assessing the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) enforcement of hazardous materials regulations using inspections and other tools.