U.S. rule heightens view of railed hazmat

U.S. rule heightens view of railed hazmat Three federal agencies have released a final rule Wednesday aimed at enhancing safety and security of hazardous materials transported by rail, effective Dec. 26.
   The U.S. Transportation Department's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration and Transportation Security Administration, will require railroads to:
   *Compile annual data on certain shipments of explosive, toxic by inhalation, and radioactive materials.
   *Use the data to analyze safety and security risks along rail routes where those materials are transported.
   *Assess alternative routing options.
   *Make routing decisions based on those assessments.
   The agencies have clarified railroads' responsibility to address their security plans related to 'en route' storage and delays in transit. They also will adopt a new requirement for railroads to inspect placarded hazmat railcars for signs of tampering or the presence of suspicious items, such as improvised explosive devices.
   The agencies said, through this rulemaking, they have adopted the interim final rule published on April 16 and fulfilled requirements in Section 1551 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 2007 9/11 Commission Act.
   The complete rule is available in the Federal Register at https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-27826.htm.
   Both the FRA and TSA have published final rules adopting requirements and procedures that promote rail transportation security. For more details, access those Federal Register notices on line at https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-27827.htm, and https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-27287.htm, respectively.