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Hazardous Accidents – Comparing Trains and Trucks
In early February, a story broke that took over the United States. A train derailment in Ohio had created a massive biohazard situation that affected thousands of residents and created a national discussion about the safety of how hazardous material is transported. The main two ways of transportation are either by train or by truck. Hazardous train derailments and hazardous truck accidents are both serious incidents that can have significant impacts on public safety, property damage, and the environment. However, there are some key differences between the two that are worth examining. One of the most notable differences is the scale of the incidents. Train derailments can involve dozens or even hundreds of railcars carrying hazardous materials, while truck accidents typically only involve one or a few vehicles. As a result, train derailments can pose a greater risk to public safety and the environment, especially if the derailment occurs in a densely populated area.
Another difference is the types of hazardous materials typically involved in every incident. Train derailments often involve the transport of large quantities of flammable liquids, such as crude oil or ethanol, while hazardous truck accidents may involve a range of different hazardous materials, such as chemicals or radioactive materials. The specific nature of the hazardous materials involved can impact the severity of the incident and the types of responses required. However, there is a wide margin between the amount of rail accidents versus truck accidents. Trucks carrying hazardous material have been involved in 16 times more crashes involving fatalities than trains have between 1975-2021 (Gorman 2023). It is surprising that there has been a very large push to regulate hazardous trains, but no discussion on hazardous trucks.
The regulatory environment for each mode of transport can also differ. Rail transport is subject to federal regulations under the Federal Railroad Administration, while the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates trucking. The regulatory frameworks for each mode of transport can impact the safety practices and standards employed by operators, as well as the response protocols in the event of an incident.
While both hazardous train derailments and hazardous truck accidents are serious incidents, there are important differences to consider. Understanding these differences can help inform effective responses and policies to minimize the risks and impacts of these incidents.
Contributor: Salvatore Levi
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References
Gorman, M. F. (2023, February 21). Truck crashes involving hazardous chemicals are more frequent, even as train derailments capture headlines. PBS. Retrieved March 7, 2023, from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/truck-crashes-involving-hazardous-chemicals-are-more-frequent-even-as-train-derailments-capture-headlines