Freight Facts and Figures 2012
Table 5-4. Hazardous Materials Transportation Incidents: 1990, 2000, and 2009-2011
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"). Approximately two percent of incidents were accident related in 2011, but they accounted for 76 percent of all property damage. Most hazardous materials incidents occur because of human error or package failure, particularly during loading and unloading.
Table in Excel format | Historical data
 |
1990 | 2000 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 8,879 | 17,557 | (R) 14,818 | (R) 14,796 | 15,016 |
| Accident-related | 297 | 394 | 290 | (R) 359 | 375 |
| Air | 297 | 1,419 | (R) 1,356 | 1,293 | 1,400 |
| Accident-related | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Highway | 7,296 | 15,063 | 12,730 | 12,635 | 12,803 |
| Accident-related | 249 | 329 | 251 | (R) 321 | 333 |
| Rail | 1,279 | 1,058 | (R) 642 | (R) 749 | 742 |
| Accident-related | 48 | 62 | 37 | (R) 35 | 40 |
| Water1 | 7 | 17 | 90 | 105 | 71 |
| Accident-related | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other2 | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA |
| Accident-related | 0 | 0 | NA | NA | NA |
Key: NA = not available; R = revised
1Water category includes only 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 September 20, 2012.
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