HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENTS

Hazardous Materials Incidents (monthly data)

Hazardous Materials Serious Incidents (monthly data)

Flammable liquids (e.g., gasoline) comprise the most tonnage and ton-miles of hazardous material shipments. Gasoline usage peaks in the summer and accounts for the seasonality in hazardous materials incidents.

NOTE: The current value is compared to the value from the same period in the previous year to account for seasonality.

Incident reporting requirements were extended to intrastate motor carriers on October 1, 1998. Beginning in April 1993, there was sharp improvement in reporting of incidents by small package carriers.

A reported incident is a report of any unintentional release of hazardous material while in transportation (including loading, unloading, and temporary storage). It excludes pipeline and bulk shipments by water, which are reported separately.

RSPA defines serious incidents as incidents that involve a fatality or major injury due to a hazardous material, closure of a major transportation artery or facility or evacuation of six or more persons due to the presence of a hazardous material, or a vehicle accident or derailment resulting in the release of a hazardous material.

SOURCE: U. S. Department of Transportation, Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of Hazardous Materials, Planning and Analysis, Hazardous Materials Information System data obtained through personal communication.