Implementing Non-Radioactive Hazardous Material (NRHM) Transportation Routes

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Implementing Non-Radioactive Hazardous Material (NRHM) Transportation Routes

M. Lofgren

Since September 11, 2001, and subsequent threat to the transportation system, large urban area planners have become increasingly aware of the importance of alternative routing for hazardous materials movements by trucks. Transportation planners and engineers have developed security relationships with other disciplines such as police; fire and rescue; and other emergency management and response personnel to meet the challenges of safely and efficiently moving hazardous materials. Crashes involving trucks carrying hazardous materials are, in most cases, disastrous to both the highway systems and surrounding environment. Although security and hazardous route planning has taken place in urban settings, a significant number of outlying smaller cities and municipalities have not established the same criteria. Transporting hazardous materials through rural communities may pose unique challenges because vehicles move through environments and there are a limited number of available transportation networks.