Citation

Silvestro FB, Mazurowski MJ. Transp. Res. Rec. 1978; 693: 32-35.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1978, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Early in 1971, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended a general framework for risk analysis of hazardous materials. The HAZ-EX computer program was developed to provide analysis of the risk to the public associated with the transportation of hazardous materials. The purpose of the program is to give project designers safety information on routes and sites during the planning stages of a project. The HAZ-EXprogram is a modular design whereby each module is an element of the risk analysis. The elements range from the simulation of spill dynamics to human injury criteria. The advantage of a modular approach is that updated data or alternative phenomenon descriptions can be inserted. The program capability includes material storage and ship, pipeline, truck, and rail transportation modes. Program-effects analysis capability includes prediction of injury due to toxicity, radioactivity, flammability, and explosivity. By selection of the appropriate combinations of modules, rapid comparisons can be made of site, transportation mode, transportation routes, and system alternatives. The HAZ-EX program has been applied to the storage and bulk transportation of liquefied natural gas and liquefied propane gas. The use of realistic injury and damage criteria as well as accurate physical phenomena description are extremely important. The advantage of a computerized model is speed. A few pages of computer output can apprise decision makers of the safety aspects of a proposed movement of hazardous materials. If a working definition of acceptable risks were then available, the reviewer could be easily satisfied as to the acceptability of an applicant's plans as proposed or whether modifications would be necessary. The efficacy of modifications can be evaluated by rerunning the mode.

Keywords: Pipeline transportation