Managing the Movements of Hazardous Material Shipments Through Texas Population Centers

This project summary report summarizes the research performed in Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Project 0-5929. The transportation planning community at all levels must fully understand methods to effectively manage the movement of hazardous materials, thereby improving prevention and mitigation operations, increasing safety, and reducing risk without undue burden to commerce. This project examined the quantities, origins, and destinations of hazardous materials flows in Texas by mode of transportation; reviewed the respective roles of stakeholders; investigated the hazmat route relocation potential of multimodal corridors and other rail routes; and provided guiding principles on effective state and sub-state strategies for the management of hazardous materials movements. A guidebook of management strategies provides tools and activities that planners at all levels can utilize to reduce the potential negative effects of shipping hazardous materials through urban centers. Additionally, planners and officials can use the data evaluation to better understand the overall movements of hazardous materials in Texas.