Canada) is ‘‘more volatile than most other types of 
crude,’’ and subsequently, more flammable. 
(9) The samples that PHMSA tested from the 
Bakken region ‘‘displayed characteristics consistent 
with those of a Class 3 flammable liquid, PG I or 
II, with a predominance to PG I, the most dan-
gerous class of Class 3 flammable liquids’’. 
(10) The oil industry group North Dakota Pe-
troleum Council has recommended that Bakken 
crude oil be labeled as PG I hazardous materials for 
transportation. 
(11) Oil from the Bakken region accounts for 
about 12 percent of total domestic production. 
(12) The National Transportation Safety Board 
(NTSB) has expressed concern ‘‘that major loss of 
life, property damage and environmental con-
sequences can occur when large volumes of crude oil 
or other flammable liquids are transported on a sin-
gle train involved in an accident’’. 
(13) The NTSB has recommended that routes 
transporting hazardous materials present the fewest 
overall safety and security risks by avoiding popu-
lated areas. 
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SEC. 2. STUDY ON IMPACT OF DIVERTING CERTAIN 
FREIGHT RAIL TO AVOID URBAN AREAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall make appropriate arrangements with the 
Transportation Research Board of the National Acad-
emies under which the Board shall conduct a study on 
the cost and impact of rerouting freight rail traffic con-
taining hazardous material to avoid transportation of such 
hazardous material through urban areas. 
(b) CONTENTS
OF STUDY.—The study described 
under subsection (a) shall include— 
(1) the benefits of rerouting freight rail traffic 
containing hazardous material to alternate railroad 
routes that avoid urban areas, including benefits to 
the health and safety of the individuals living in 
such urban areas; 
(2) the benefits of construction of alternative 
railroad routes that avoid urban areas for transpor-
tation of freight rail containing hazardous material; 
(3) the logistical feasibility of the actions de-
scribed in paragraphs (1) and (2); and 
(4) the costs of taking the actions described in 
paragraphs (1) and (2). 
(c) REPORT.—In entering into an arrangement under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall request that the Board 
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transmit to Congress a report on the results of the study 
not later than 21 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.— 
(1) HAZARDOUS MATERIAL.—The term ‘‘haz-
ardous material’’ has the meaning given such term 
in section 5102 of title 49, United States Code. 
(2) URBAN
AREA.—The term ‘‘urban area’’ 
means an urban area, as designated by the Bureau 
of the Census, with a population of greater than 
30,000. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated $850,000 to carry out 
this Act. 
Æ 
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