Evaluation of methods to compare consequences from hazardous materials transportation accidents
This report presents the results of a project to develop a framework for making meaningful comparisons of the consequences from transportation accidents involving hazardous materials. The project was conducted in two phases. In Phase I, methods that could potentially be used to develop the consequence comparisons for hazardous material transportation accidents were identified and reviewed. Potential improvements were identified and an evaluation of the improved methods was performed. Based on this evaluation, several methods were selected for detailed evaluation in Phase II of the project. The methods selected were location-dependent scenarios, figure of merit and risk assessment. This evaluation included application of the methods to a sample problem which compares the consequences of four representative hazardous materials - chlorine, propane, spent nuclear fuel and class A explosives. These materials were selected because they represented a broad class of hazardous material properties and consequence mechanisms. The sample case aplication relied extensively on consequence calculations performed in previous transportation risk assessment studies. A consultant was employed to assist in developing consequence models for explosives. The results of the detailed evaluation of the three consequence comparison methods indicates that methods are available to perform technically defensible comparisons of the consequences from a wide variety of hazardous materials. Location-dependent scenario and risk assessment methods are available now and the figure of merit method could be developed with additional effort. All of the methods require substantial effort to implement. Methods that would require substantially less effort were identified in the preliminary evaluation, but questions of technical accuracy preclude their application on a scale. These methods may have application to specific cases, however.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5162015
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-86-7117; TTC-0674; ON: DE87001598
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Analysis of offsite Emergency Planning Zones (EPZs) for the Rocky Flats Plant. Phase 3, Sitewide spectrum-of-accidents and bounding EPZ analysis
Hazards Analysis for the Spent Nuclear Fuel L-Experimental Facility (U)
Related Subjects
ACCIDENTS
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
CHLORINE
PROPANE
SPENT FUEL ELEMENTS
BARGES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HAZARDS
PIPELINES
RAIL TRANSPORT
ROAD TRANSPORT
TRUCKS
ALKANES
ELEMENTS
EXPLOSIVES
FUEL ELEMENTS
HALOGENS
HYDROCARBONS
LAND TRANSPORT
MATERIALS
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
TRANSPORT
VEHICLES
050900* - Nuclear Fuels- Transport
Handling
& Storage
054000 - Nuclear Fuels- Health & Safety