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Freight Facts and Figures 2009

Table 5-4. Hazardous Materials Transportation Incidents: 1980-2008

Because most hazardous materials are transported by truck, most incidents related to the movement of hazardous materials occur on highways or in truck terminals.  A very small share of hazardous materials transportation incidents are the result of a vehicular crash or derailment (referred to as “accident-related”).  In 2008, less than 2 percent of incidents were accident-related.  Most incidents occur because of human error or package failure, particularly during loading and unloading.  While less than 2 percent of incidents were accident-related in 2008, they accounted for 80 percent of all property damage.

Table in Excel format | Historical data

Blank cell. 1980 1990 2000 2007 2008
Total 15,719 8,879 17,557 (R) 19,265 16,869
Accident-related 486 297 394 (R) 362 306
Air 223 297 1,419 (R) 1,555 1,274
Accident-related 0 0 3 7 8
Highway 14,161 7,296 15,063 (R) 16,900 14,752
Accident-related 347 249 329 (R) 303 272
Rail 1,271 1,279 1,058 (R) 749 745
Accident-related 134 48 62 52 26
Water1 34 7 17 61 98
Accident-related 2 0 0 0 0
Other2 30 0 0 NA NA
Accident-related 3 0 0 NA NA

Key: NA = not available; R = revised.

1Water category only includes packaged (nonbulk) marine. Non-packaged (bulk) marine hazardous materials incidents are reported to the U.S. Coast Guard and are not included.

2Other category includes freight forwarders and modes not otherwise specified.

Notes:

Hazardous materials transportation incidents required to be reported are defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 49 CFR 171.15, 171.16 (Form F 5800.1). Hazardous materials deaths and injuries are caused by the hazardous material in commerce. Accident related means vehicular accident or derailment. Each modal total also includes fatalities caused by human error, package failure, and causes not elsewhere classified. As of 2005, the “other” data is no longer included in the hazardous materials information system report.

Source:

U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Hazardous Materials Safety, Hazardous Materials Information System Database, available at www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/library/data-stats as of May 13, 2009.

 

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