AAR Asks PHMSA to Tighten Tank Car Rules
A freight railroad trade group said it has asked the Department of Transportation to tighten federal regulations on rail tank cars for hauling flammable liquids.
The Nov. 14 statement from the Association of American Railroads said as many as 92,000 tank cars would be phased out or retrofitted under the terms of the proposal made to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or PHMSA.
AAR said the regulatory changes it is advocating would “substantially decrease the likelihood of a release if a tank car is involved in an accident.” AAR said the cars in question transport commodities such as crude oil and ethanol.
Of the 92,000 cars mentioned by AAR, about 78,000 would either be phased out or require substantial retrofits. The 14,000 cars that are newer would require lesser retrofits to comply with industry safety standards.
Among the suggestions in the proposal are requirements for an outer steel jacket around the tank car and thermal protection, full-height head shields and high-flow capacity pressure-relief valves.
