Source: https://www.vedderprice.com/us-department-of-transportation-and-transport-canada-issue-new-regulations-intended-to-improve-tank-car-safety
Timestamp: 2019-01-16 19:57:59
Document Index: 656511423

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 171', '§ 173', '§ 5', '§ 179', '§ 5', '§ 174', '§ 171', '§ 179', '§ 173', '§ 2', '§ 173', '§ 2', '§ 173', '§ 3', '§ 173', '§ 2', '§ 172', '§ 13', '§ 172', '§ 172', '§ 7', '§ 172', '§ 7']

U.S. Department of Transportation and Transport Canada Issue New Regulations Intended to Improve Tank Car Safety | Publications | Vedder Thinking | Vedder Price
Vedder Thinking | Articles U.S. Department of Transportation and Transport Canada Issue New Regulations Intended to Improve Tank Car Safety
In response to the soaring volume of crude oil moving by rail, the Lac-Mégantic tragedy, and several other high-profile derailments, the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration issued their final rule (the New Rule) on May 1, 2015 designed to improve the safety of transportation of certain flammable liquid shipments by rail. The New Rule, titled "Hazardous Materials: Enhanced Tank Car Standards and Operational Controls for HHFTs," amends the existing hazardous materials regulations (HMRs) by mandating enhanced safety features for tank cars transporting flammable liquids and designating new operational protocols for High-Hazard Flammable Trains (HHFTs)1 utilizing the U.S. rail network. The New Rule went into effect on July 7, 2015, although several groups are challenging its implementation in court.
Under the New Rule, existing U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Specification 1112 tanks cars (including tank cars built to the CPC-1232 industry standard) are prohibited from transporting Class 3 flammable liquids in Packing Group I, II, or III for use in HHFT service unless retrofitted to DOT Specification 117R or 117P standards.3 Retrofits must be completed in accordance with DOT and TC (if used in Canada) imposed retrofit schedules.4 Tank cars constructed after October 1, 2015 must meet the enhanced DOT Specification 117 design or performance criteria for use in HHFT service. The enhanced design features include: a wall thickness of at least 9/16 inch, a tank head puncture resistance system, a thermal protection system covered with a metal jacket, and a reclosing pressure relief device.5
1 An HHFT is "a single train transporting 20 or more loaded tank cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid in a continuous block or a single train carrying 35 or more loaded tank cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid throughout the train." 49 CFR § 171.8.
2 As defined in the HMRs and Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.
3 49 CFR §§ 173.241(a), 173.242(a), 173.243(a); Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, SOR/2015-100, §§ 5.14, 5.15.
4 As mentioned above, the U.S. and Canadian implementation timetables are not identical.
5 49 CFR § 179.202(4)-(8); Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, SOR/2015-100, § 5.15.9.
6 Transport Canada has indicated that it will issue new braking regulations in a future rule.
7 49 CFR § 174.310(3).
8 Defined in 49 CFR § 171.8 as "a single train transporting 70 or more loaded tank cars containing Class 3 flammable liquid."
9 49 CFR § 179.202-10(a), (b).
10 49 CFR § 173.22a(a); Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, SOR/2015-100, §§ 2.2, 3.1.
11 49 CFR § 173.41(a); Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, SOR/2015-100, § 2.2.1.
12 49 CFR § 173.41(b); Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, SOR/2015-100, § 3.6.1.
13 49 CFR § 173.41(c), (d); Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, SOR/2015-100, § 2.2.1.
14 49 CFR § 172.820(b), (c), (e); Railway Safety Management System Regulations, 2015, SOR/2015-26, §§ 13, 15.
15 49 CFR § 172.820(a)(4).16 49 CFR § 172.820(g); Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, SOR/2015-100, § 7.2.
16 49 CFR § 172.820(g); Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, SOR/2015-100, § 7.2.
17 "PHMSA Notice regarding Emergency Response Notifications for Shipments of Petroleum Crude Oil by Rail" dated May 28, 2015 available at http://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/phmsa-notice-regarding-emergency- response-notifications-for-shipments-of-petroleum-crude-oil-by-rail.
18 Source: "Rule Summary: Enhanced Tank Car Standards and Operational Controls for High-Hazard Flammable Trains." Department of Transportation, 01 May 2015, available at http://www.transportation.gov/ mission/safety/rail-rule-summary.
19 Source: "Hazardous Materials: Enhanced Tank Car Standards and Operational Controls for High-Hazard Flammable Trains." pp. 10-11, 01 May 2015, available at http://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/ docs/final-rule-flammable-liquids-by-rail_0.pdf.