Table 5-4. Hazardous Materials Transportation Incidents: 1980-2006
Because most hazardous materials are transported by truck, most incidents related to 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 2006, 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 2006, they accounted for nearly 84 percent of all property damage.
Table in Excel format | Historical data
 |
1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 15,719 | 8,879 | 17,557 | (R) 15,917 | 20,228 |
| Accident-related | 486 | 297 | 394 | (R) 379 | 340 |
| Air | 223 | 297 | 1,419 | (R) 1,654 | 2,409 |
| Air - Accident-related | 0 | 0 | 3 | (R) 9 | 7 |
| Highway | 14,161 | 7,296 | 15,063 | (R) 13,450 | 17,051 |
| Highway - Accident-related | 347 | 249 | 329 | (R) 319 | 290 |
| Rail | 1,271 | 1,279 | 1,058 | (R) 744 | 700 |
| Rail - Accident-related | 134 | 48 | 62 | (R) 51 | 43 |
| Water1 | 34 | 7 | 17 | (R) 69 | 68 |
| Water1 - Accident-related | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other2 | 30 | 0 | 0 | NA | NA |
| Other2 - Accident-related | 3 | 0 | 0 | NA | NA |
Key: R = revised; NA = not available.
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 https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/about-phmsa/offices/office-hazardous-materials-safety as of June 4, 2007.
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