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FMCSA Safety and Security Accomplishments Office of Research and Analysis
Washington, DC
January 22, 2006 Hazardous Materials Division Highlights 
- FMCSA
- Hazardous Materials Research Programs
- Summary
The FMCSA mission is accomplished by.. - Hazardous Materials Compliance Reviews
- Hazardous Materials Package Inspections
- Hazardous Materials Research
- Other Hazardous Materials-related activities
Research Projects - Overall, FMCSA conducted 6 research projects in FY 2005
- FMCSA will conduct 3 research projects in FY 2006
- Cargo Tank Rollover Force Verification
- Cargo Tank Roll Stability
- Radiation Detection Equipment
 Cargo Tank Rollover Force Verification Purpose Verify results of previous dynamic simulations performed in previous overturn studies History - Cargo Tank regulations require "a rollover damage protection device. . . to withstand. . . twice the weight of the loaded. . . vehicle."
49 CFR 178.345-8(c)(1)
- NTSB request
- DOT response
- Simulations
- Full-scale cargo tank rollovers for verification
Results The experimentally measured roll rates were within the range of those predicted in the UMTRI simulation for the corresponding crashes
Benefits to Highway Safety - Analysis of these rollovers will yield a family of impact energies
- Data will help validate a finite-element model, leading to
- Benefit-cost analysis
- Design guidelines in revised regulations
Cargo Tank Roll Stability Purpose Improve the roll stability performance of cargo tanks Methodology - Improve the design to lower the center of gravity
- Remove of regulatory barriers
- Identify operational characteristics
- Update highway design and warning systems
- Introduce technologies to manage drivers' actions to reduce rollovers
- Improve driver training
Radiation Detection Equipment at Weight Stations Purpose Identify hidden HM shipments Results Beta-tested detection of HM and assist States in inspection process Radiation Detection Equipment at Weigh Stations 
- Safeguards the public from hidden shipments of HM
- Technology has been implemented in Tennessee, and will be used in other States
Projects for FISCAL YEAR 2006 - Service Life of Cargo Tanks
- Hazardous Materials Carrier Survey
- Hazardous Material Routing Safety and Security Risk Analysis
Cargo Tank Service Life Purpose Study affects of external factors that affect the life of a cargo tank - External factors
- Level of maintenance
- Quality of maintenance
- Type of HM service
- Design of cargo tank
- Inspection intervals
- Severe weather conditions
Objective Develop recommended inspection and safety standards to improve the safety of older cargo tanks Hazardous Materials Routing - Safety and Security Risk Analysis
- Comprehensive analysis of safety and security concerns related to hazardous materials routing
- Guidance documents and tools to identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities
- Evaluation of current routing activities
- Best management practices recommendations to state governments
- Expected results include safer and more secure hazardous materials routes
Hazardous Materials Carrier Survey - Develop and compile essential, basic metrics concerning the HM carrier industry
- Focus on HM carriers to determine the various aspect of the HM industry
- Evaluate current routing
- Evaluate the import/export commodity flows with Canada and Mexico
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