The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have released new requirements that are designed to reduce the consequences and probability of accidents involving high-hazard flammable trains (trains that are transporting large quantities of flammable liquids). This new rule would also regulate their operation by enforcing speed limits, braking systems and routing.
In addition, this new rule contains safety improvements to the design standards of tank cars, new notification requirements, and a new sampling/classification program for unrefined petroleum based products in an effort to address the unique risks that are associated with the increased reliance on trains to transport flammable liquids and hazardous materials. The rule is a combination of recommendations from the NTSB, public comments and an economic impact analysis.
