Societal-Individual Risks for Hazmat Transport

by F. F. Saccomanno, Univ of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada,
J. H. Shortreed, Univ of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: State and Local Issues in Transportation of Hazardous Waste Materials: Towards a National Strategy

Abstract:

Risks associated with the transport of hazardous materials by truck and rail are viewed from two perspectives: society in general and the individual residing adjacent to the route. A range of societal and individual risks are estimated for the bulk transport of liquefied chlorine gas along a typical transport corridor. Differences in societal and individual risks are assessed for both truck and rail transport options. The results of this analysis suggest that individual risks associated with the bulk transport of chlorine gas by truck and rail are low, and in the acceptable range. These individual risks were also found to vary significantly between the two modes. Societal risks are much more significant than individual risks, given their concern with very low frequency - high consequence events. For the bulk transport of chlorine along the selected corridor, societal risks for trucks are moderately higher than for rail. Consideration of both individual and societal risks renders the risk analysis process more complete for the purpose of decision-making.

Subject Headings: Rail transportation | Risk management | Social factors | Transportation corridors | Freight transportation | Hazardous substances | Trucks

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search