Minimizing the Risks of Highway Transport of Hazardous Materials

Abstract

Many key industrial and scientific processes, such as the generation of nuclear energy, are of enormous social benefit as energy demand and consumption grow over time. However, a drawback of several such processes is the production of hazardous waste materials, which often requires transportation along highway networks to treatment or disposal facilities. This waste can represent a safety hazard to civilians located along the transportation route. Most prior literature in this domain considers risk within only a single facet, and thus several important risk factors may not be considered. In our paper, we propose a multi-objective program to allow for the analysis and selection of minimally risky routes for hazardous materials transportation. The model assesses risk factors including the length of the selected route, the total population in areas surrounding the selected route, and the likelihood of an accident occurring along the selected route. Our paper uniquely uses geographic information systems (GIS) technology to model this optimization problem. This approach allows us to model risk along multiple dimensions simultaneously. We collect empirical data to test the model and present a case study for risk mitigation using a study area located in California. We show that our multi-objective approach is effective in presenting the decision-maker with a portfolio of solutions that perform well via each factor.

Research on Route Optimization of Hazardous Materials Transportation Considering Risk Equity

“…Saccomanno and Chan [12] proposed the Incident Probability model, which focused on using accident probability to represent risk. The Population Exposure model was used to measure the risk in hazmat transportation [13][14][15][16][17]. Erkut and Ingolfsson [18] proposed three risk measurement models based on the avoidance of major disasters.…”

Application of XGBoost for Hazardous Material Road Transport Accident Severity Analysis

“…This finding might be attributed to more vehicles on the highway leading more easily to multivehicle accidents; the more parties involved in an accident, the higher the number of people to be engaged and the higher the fatality rate. Moreover, it is prevalent that the higher the speed is, the higher the mortality rate [42].…”

“…Gather information from various sources (weather, road conditions) to adjust routes and transportation schedules in a timely manner to avoid driving in rain or snow or on slippery roads. Near curves, ramps, and other special road alignments, the road designer should provide sufficient information by installing road signs to alert drivers to upcoming road alignments and that they should reduce their speed and remain alert [42].…”

“…Road authorities and transport companies should invest more in real-time monitoring and early warning equipment and establish monitoring and early warning systems. A coordination mechanism should be developed among transport enterprises, road authorities, fire departments, and environmental protection and health authorities to make efficient emergency rescues and plans [42].…”

Analysis of the Technological Evolution of Materials Requirements Included in Reactor Pressure Vessel Manufacturing Codes

“…In summary, nuclear power is a promising solution to meet worldwide increasing demand for energy, to limit the consumption of non-renewable resources for producing energy and to reduce CO 2 emissions. Many key industrial and scientific processes, such as the generation of nuclear energy, are of enormous social benefit as energy demand and consumption grow over time [7]. In addition, nuclear applications of combined cycles have been the subjects of a recent investigation [8], including small modular reactors (SMRs) [9] and high-temperature reactors for combined electricity/hydrogen production [10].…”