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Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies (2011)

Chapter: Appendix K - Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix K - Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14559.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix K - Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14559.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix K - Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14559.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix K - Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14559.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix K - Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14559.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix K - Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14559.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix K - Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14559.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix K - Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14559.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix K - Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14559.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix K - Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14559.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix K - Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14559.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix K - Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14559.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix K - Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14559.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix K - Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14559.
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K.1 Existing Data from Freight Analysis Framework Database Description The spatial data from FHWA’s Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) are available at county and state levels in terms of estimated tons and values for commodity groups. The commodity classi- fication system in the FAF uses the Standard Classification of Transported Goods (SCTG) codes at the two-digit level. Limitations Because the data are modeled based on a stratified national sample of economic activity and not actual traffic flows, they are only generally applicable for a local HMCFS and should only be interpreted in terms of commodity groups that can be expected to be present in a region or state. Data can only be approximately associated with hazmat class level for the vast majority of commodities. Supported Objectives Increasing awareness about hazmat transport and minimum scenarios definition. How to Use the Data 1. Develop a listing of commodity flows for your state using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). 2. Identify commodity groups associated with hazmat transport and use the listing to indicate what may be transported in your region. K.2 Existing Data from BTS/Census Bureau Commodity Flow Survey Description The Bureau of Transportation Statistics/Census Bureau 2007 Commodity Flow Survey (CFS) data are applicable at a state or national level. If an LEPC is interested in using national esti- mates of hazmat shipments by different modes (including trucks) for local estimates, this is a good source. K-1 A P P E N D I X K Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples

Limitations Data should only be considered generally applicable for a local HMCFS in terms of commodi- ties that may be expected to be present in a region or state. Estimates have a very high degree of variability for local networks since they are drawn from a national sample of shipments. They may be off by a large degree, and additional survey data are necessary to provide further information about the validity of the data. Supported Objectives Increasing awareness about hazmat transport and minimum scenarios definition. How to Use the Data 1. Access the report at the Internet address listed for the report in Appendix G. 2. Select the desired table, and review the information for hazmat shipments by mode, class, or characteristic for your state. 3. Develop corresponding listings and tables as an indication of what may be transported in your region. Application Example A local entity is interested in information about transportation of all hazardous materials and Hazard Class 3 materials. First, they need to access the 2007 Commodity Flow Survey informa- tion. There they might identify Table Sector 00: CF0700H04: Hazardous Materials Series: Haz- Mat Shipment Characteristics by Mode by Hazardous vs. Nonhazardous Status for the United States: 2007. This table shows that a total of 3,344,658 million ton-miles of all commodities (haz- ardous and non-hazardous) were shipped in the United States, including 1,342,104 million ton- miles by truck. A total of 103,997 million ton-miles of truck transport were of hazardous materials. Around 7.7 percent of truck ton-miles shipped were associated with transport of hazardous materials (103,997/1,342,104). Another table of interest might be Table Sector 00: CF0700H07: Hazardous Materials Series: HazMat Shipment Characteristics by Mode by Hazardous Class or Division for the United States: 2007 & 2002. This table shows that a total of 181,615 million ton-miles shipped for all modes are associated with Hazard Class 3, Flammable or Combustible Liquids, and 55,934 million ton-miles by truck. • Hazard Class 3, Flammable or Combustible Liquids, corresponds to 5.4 percent of all ton- miles shipped for all commodities by all modes (181,615/3,344,658), and 4.2 percent of all truck ton-miles shipped (55,934/1,342,104). • Of the hazardous materials shipped by truck in the United States, 53.8 percent were Hazard Class 3, Flammable or Combustible Liquids (55,934/103,997). A third table of interest might be Table Sector 00: CF0700H08: Hazardous Materials Series: HazMat Shipment Characteristics by Mode by UN Number for the United States: 2007. This table shows that a total of 23,665 million ton-miles shipped by truck are associated with UN/NA Num- ber 1203 (Gasoline), 16,408 million ton-miles with UN/NA Number 1993 (Various Petroleum Dis- tillates, including diesel fuel), and 5,729 million ton-miles with UN/NA Number 1202 (Diesel Fuel), for a total of 45,802 million ton-miles for these UN/NA numbers by truck. (Note that there also are other UN/NA IDs that are for Class 3 hazardous materials. These IDs are used as examples). • Of the Hazard Class 3 Flammable or Combustible Liquids shipped in the United States by truck, 82 percent were associated with UN/NA Numbers 1203, 1993, or 1202 (45,802/55,934). K-2 Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies

• Of the hazardous materials shipped by truck in the United States, 44 percent were associated with UN/NA Numbers 1203, 1993, or 1202 (45,802/103,997). K.3 Existing Data from HPMS Combined with Existing Data from VIUS or CFS Description The FHWA’s Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) contains information for annual average daily traffic (AADT) levels for major roadway segments including the state and national highway systems. The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2002 Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS) data are summarized in Appendix H. CFS data are described in the previous section. Limitations Commodity flows estimated using these sources should only be considered generally applica- ble for a local HMCFS. They have a very high degree of variability since they mix a local estimate, a local annual sample, and a national annual sample; they may differ from the true value by a large degree. Additional survey data are necessary to provide further information about the validity of the data. Supported Objectives Increasing awareness about hazmat transport and minimum scenarios definition. How to Use the Data 1. Obtain AADT estimates for major roadway segments in your jurisdiction. 2. Determine the percentage of truck traffic in the local area that makes up total traffic (estimate or other information source). 3. Apply the percentage of total traffic that is trucks to the AADT values to estimate the truck traffic levels. 4. Apply the overall percentages of hazmat truck traffic from the bottom row of the 2002 VIUS data table to the estimated truck traffic levels, or apply percentages of hazardous materials by truck versus all commodities by truck from the 2007 CFS, for a crude estimate of numbers of hazmat trucks on applicable segments 5. Present the information in lists and tables, as applicable. Application Example A local entity is interested in estimating the number of trucks per day transporting Hazard Class 3 materials over a particular Interstate highway segment. According to the HMPS traffic vol- ume map, the AADT of an Interstate section is over 100,000 (all vehicles). The local entity assumes that truck traffic is 15 percent of the overall traffic volume (caution: this value is used as an example only and has no applicability to roadways in your jurisdiction). This corresponds to over 15,000 trucks per day, on average. Based on the 2002 VIUS data, a total of 2.3 percent of U.S. miles are driven by trucks while requiring a Class 3 placard or “Combustible” placard. According to the 2007 CFS, Hazard Class 3, Flammable or Combustible Liquids, corresponds to 4.2 percent of all truck ton-miles shipped for all commodities. Using these estimates and assuming that all trucks on the roadway section are driven the same distance through the jurisdiction, the local entity might expect to have between Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples K-3

350 and 630 trucks per day carrying Class 3 liquids on the Interstate segment (15,000 * 0.023 = 345; 15,000 * 0.042 = 630). K.4 Total Truck Counts Combined with Existing Data from VIUS or CFS Description This method uses counts of the number of trucks on different roadway segments to identify truck traffic volumes, rather than HPMS traffic level estimates. However, this method still neces- sitates application of national percentages of hazmat truck traffic from the bottom row of the 2002 VIUS data table (found in Appendix H) or 2007 CFS data. Limitations By eliminating some of the measurement error from the previous method, this method is probably slightly more relevant at the local level than estimates generated entirely from existing data sources. However, commodity flows estimated using these sources should still only be con- sidered generally applicable for a local HMCFS. They have a very high degree of variability since they mix a local annual sample with a national annual sample; they may differ from the true value by a large degree. Additional survey data are necessary to provide further information about the validity of the data. Supported Objectives Conducted with convenience or representative sampling, supported objectives may include increasing awareness about hazmat transport and minimum definition of training scenarios (depending on the quantity and quality of data). How to Use the Data 1. Determine truck traffic levels and patterns. This may range from a general estimate of truck traffic in the entire jurisdiction to levels of truck traffic by time for represented locations. 2. Apply the overall percentages of hazmat truck traffic from the bottom row of the VIUS data table to the estimated truck traffic levels, or apply percentages of hazardous materials by truck versus all commodities by truck from the 2007 CFS, for a crude estimate of numbers of hazmat trucks for represented locations. 3. Present the information in lists, tables, or charts, as applicable. Application Example A local entity is interested in estimating the number of trucks per day transporting Hazard Class 3 materials over a particular Interstate highway segment. A state DOT performs counts of trucks on a section of Interstate highway and provides the data to the local entity. The 2007 aver- age annual daily truck traffic (AADTT) for the Interstate section was 9,210. Based on the 2002 VIUS data, a total of 2.3 percent of U.S. miles are driven by trucks while requiring a Class 3 placard or “Combustible” placard. According to the 2007 CFS, Hazard Class 3, Flammable or Combustible Liquids, corresponds to 4.2 percent of all truck ton-miles shipped for all commodities. Using these estimates and assuming that all trucks on the roadway section are driven the same distance through the jurisdiction, the local entity might expect to have K-4 Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies

between 210 and 390 trucks per day with a Hazard Class 3 Flammable Liquids placard on the Interstate segment (9,210 * 0.023 = 212; 9,210 * 0.042 = 387). K.5 Truck Type/Configuration Counts Combined with Existing Data from VIUS Description This method uses counts of trucks by type and configuration on different roadway segments, rather than generic truck counts. This allows for application of national percentages of hazmat traffic for each truck type and configuration from respective rows of the 2002 VIUS data table (see Appendix H). Limitations By further specifying the nature of truck traffic over the generic truck counts, it is probably slightly more relevant at the local level than estimates generated using only generic truck counts. However, these estimates still have a high degree of variability since they mix a local annual sam- ple with a national annual sample; they may be off by a large degree. Additional survey data are necessary to provide further information about the validity of the data. These estimates should be considered as only having low-to-medium applicability for a local HMCFS in terms of level of hazmat traffic that may be expected to be present in a community. Supported Objectives Conducted with convenience or representative sampling, supported objectives may include increasing awareness about hazmat transport, minimum scenarios definition, and maximum scenarios definition (depending on the quantity, quality, and validity of data). How to Use the Data 1. Determine truck traffic levels and patterns by type and configuration. This may range from estimates of truck traffic in the entire jurisdiction to levels of truck traffic by time for specific locations. 2. Apply the percentages of hazmat truck traffic from the corresponding rows of the VIUS data table to the observed truck traffic levels by type and configuration for a crude estimate of numbers of hazmat trucks for represented locations. 3. Present the information in lists, tables, or charts, as applicable. Application Example A local entity is interested in estimating the number of trucks per day transporting Hazard Class 3 materials over a particular Interstate highway segment. They have information that shows that the 2009 truck traffic on the Interstate segment was 500 tank trucks per day, 2,500 flatbed trucks per day, 3,000 refrigerated van trucks per day, and 3,500 standard van trucks per day (the LEPC only counted trucks by type, not configuration). Based on the 2002 VIUS data, 23.3 percent of U.S. tank truck miles, 0.4 percent of flatbed miles, 0.4 percent of refrigerated van miles, and 1.3 percent of standard van miles are driven while requiring a Class 3 placard or “Combustible” placard. Using these estimates and assuming that all trucks on the roadway section are driven the same distance through the jurisdiction, the Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples K-5

local entity might expect to see around 190 Hazard Class 3 Flammable or Combustible Liquids trucks per day on the Interstate segment ((500 * 0.233) + (2,500 * 0.004) + (3,000 * 0.004) + (3,500 * 0.013) = 184). K.6 Placard Counts Combined with Total Truck Counts Description By counting the total number of trucks observed on a roadway segment and observing whether or not each truck has a hazmat placard, a locally relevant estimate of the total percentage of truck traffic that has a hazmat placard can be made. This may be particularly useful for locations for which specifically identifying a placard (e.g., by class/division or number) are challenging, such as locations that are some distance from the observed traffic, or where traffic is travelling at high rates of speed with limited time for truck observations. Limitations For purposes of locally relevant identification of presence or absence of hazardous materials, this method is sufficient. However, it does not inform about the types of hazardous materials being transported without application of national estimates such as the 2002 VIUS data. When this is done, estimates mix locally relevant survey data with local and national samples. They may be off by a moderate-to-high degree. Follow-on survey data may provide further information about the validity of the information. Supported Objectives Conducted with convenience or representative sampling, supported objectives may include increasing awareness about hazmat transport and minimum scenarios definition (depending on the quantity and quality of data). How to Use the Data 1. Determine truck traffic levels and patterns. This may range from a general estimate of truck traffic in the entire jurisdiction to levels of truck traffic by time for represented locations. 2. Determine placarded truck traffic levels and patterns. This may range from a general estimate of placarded truck traffic in the entire jurisdiction to levels of truck traffic by time for repre- sented locations. 3. Create a ratio of placarded trucks to overall trucks that can be estimated for applicable loca- tions and times. 4. Present the information in lists, tables, or charts, as applicable. Application Example A local entity is interested in estimating the number of trucks per day transporting Hazard Class 3 materials over a particular Interstate highway segment. They conduct a 24-hour placard count dur- ing a weekday on the Interstate segment. Four-hundred trucks were observed to have a hazmat placard during the count. The 2007 AADTT for this section of roadway was 9,250, according to the state DOT. The entity assumes this represents the daytime, weekday traffic level during their plac- ard count. Using the observed placarded truck count, over 4.3 percent (400/9,210) of trucks on the Interstate might display a hazmat placard if current truck traffic levels are similar to 2007 traffic levels. After applying some statistics (see Section K.10) and assuming the placard counts follow a K-6 Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies

Poisson distribution, the local entity is 90 percent confident that the true placard count falls some- where between 368 and 434 observations, or between 4.0 and 4.7 percent of AADTT. Based on the 2002 VIUS data, a total of 2.3 percent of U.S. miles are driven by trucks while requiring a Class 3 placard or “Combustible” placard. Based on the 2007 CFS, 53.8 percent of hazardous materials shipped by truck in the United States were Hazard Class 3, Flammable or Combustible Liquids. Using the state DOT AADTT numbers with VIUS data and assuming that all trucks on the roadway section are driven the same distance through the jurisdiction, around 210 Hazard Class 3, Flammable and Combustible Liquids trucks per day (9,210 * 0.023 = 212) could be expected on the Interstate. Using the placard count with 2007 CFS data, around 220 Hazard Class 3, Flammable and Combustible Liquids trucks per day (400 * 0.538 = 215) could be expected. K.7 UN/NA Placard ID Counts Description Observing and identifying specific placards enables recognition of particular truck/roadway transport hazmat hazards, including the relative proportion of different types of hazardous materials carried by trucks. Since it does not include a count of trucks, this method may be appropriate for use by a single data collector at busy traffic locations where both counting of trucks and identifying UN/NA placard IDs is too difficult. Limitations When conditions permit, it is more advantageous to count the number of trucks or num- ber of trucks by type/configuration in addition to counts of specific UN/NA placard IDs. Reli- ability of information will depend on the sampling framework applied and the accuracy of data collection. Supported Objectives Conducted with convenience, representative, or cluster sampling, supported objectives may include increasing awareness about hazmat transport, minimum scenarios definition, maximum scenarios definition, emergency planning, and identifying equipment needs (depending on the quantity and quality of data). How to Use the Data 1. Group UN/NA placard ID information according to class/division, specific ID, TIH classifi- cation, and associated initial response actions, or other categories. 2. Determine levels and patterns of observed placards (by hazmat grouping). This may range from a general estimate of observed placards for the entire jurisdiction to levels of observed placards by time for specific locations. 3. Calculate proportions of hazmat placards observed for each grouping. 4. Present the information in lists, tables, or charts, as applicable. Application Example A local entity is interested in estimating the percentage of placarded trucks transporting Haz- ard Class 3 materials over a particular Interstate highway segment during the daytime. They Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples K-7

determine the following information for a daytime, weekday 8-hour placard ID count on the Interstate segment: • 50 placards with UN/NA placard ID 1203 (Gasoline), • 25 placards with UN/NA placard ID 1993 (Various Petroleum Distillates), • 12 placards with UN/NA placard ID 1863 (Aviation Fuel), • 5 placards labeled “Combustible” or “Fuel Oil,” • Total number of placards counted: 200, and • Peak hourly placard count rate from 11 A.M. to 12 P.M. is 35 placards per hour. Approximately 46 percent of the trucks observed with placards on the Interstate had a Haz- ard Class 3, Flammable or Combustible Liquids placard ((50 + 25 + 12 + 5) / 200). After apply- ing some statistics (see Section K.10) using a binomial distribution and assuming that daytime, weekday hazmat traffic patterns are consistent with the observed time period, the entity identi- fies that this percentage can be expected to range between 39 and 53 percent with 90 percent con- fidence. These data provide some estimates, and since the sample was over a limited time period, follow-on data are necessary to validate the information. The same type of estimates can be repeated for individual placard IDs that are included in the sample. K.8 UN/NA Placard ID Counts Combined with Total Truck Counts Description This method includes a count of total trucks and counts of specific UN/NA placard IDs. Not only can it be used to identify the presence of commodities associated with specific UN/NA plac- ard IDs, it also can be used to estimate the proportion of observed truck traffic that is placarded. More locally relevant information is obtained about hazmat transportation using these counts, but the complexity of the survey is limited because only the total number of trucks is counted, not the different types of trucks. Limitations Reliability of information will depend on the sampling framework applied and the accuracy of data collection. Supported Objectives Conducted with convenience, representative, cluster, stratified/proportional, or random sam- pling, supported objectives may include increasing awareness about hazmat transport, mini- mum definition of training scenarios, maximum definition of training scenarios, emergency planning, identifying equipment needs, comprehensive planning, and route analysis (depend- ing on the quantity and quality of data). How to Use the Data 1. Group UN/NA placard ID information according to class/division, specific ID, TIH classifi- cation and associated initial response actions, or other categories. 2. Determine levels and patterns of observed placards (by hazmat grouping). This may range from a general estimate of placarded truck traffic in the entire jurisdiction to levels of plac- arded truck traffic by time for specific locations. K-8 Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies

3. Determine truck traffic levels and patterns. This may range from a general estimate of truck traffic in the entire jurisdiction to levels of truck traffic by time for specific locations. 4. Calculate proportions of hazmat placards observed (by grouping) to total truck traffic. 5. Present the information in lists, tables, charts, or maps, as applicable. Application Example A local entity is interested in estimating the percentage of all trucks transporting Hazard Class 3 materials over a particular Interstate highway segment during the daytime. The entity collects the following information for a daytime, weekday 8-hour placard count on the Inter- state segment: • 50 placards with UN/NA placard ID 1203 (Gasoline), • 25 placards with UN/NA placard ID 1993 (Various Petroleum Distillates), • 12 placards with UN/NA placard ID 1863 (Aviation Fuel), • 5 placards labeled “Combustible” or “Fuel Oil,” • Total number of placards counted: 200, • Total number of trucks counted: 5,000, • Peak hourly placard count rate for 11 A.M. to 12 P.M. is 35 placards per hour, and • Peak hourly truck count rate for 1 P.M. to 2 P.M. is 600. In addition to estimates discussed for the previous example, the following are identified. Approximately 1.8 percent of all trucks observed on the Interstate had a Hazard Class 3, Flamma- ble or Combustible Liquids placard ((50 + 25 + 12 + 5) / 5,000). Approximately 4 percent of all trucks observed on the roadway had a hazmat placard (200/5,000), assuming that daytime, week- day hazardous materials and overall traffic patterns are consistent with the observed time period. Hazardous materials truck traffic appears to peak during the late morning. These data provide some estimates, and since the sample was over a limited time period, follow-on data are necessary to validate the information. The same type of estimates can be repeated for individual placard IDs that are included in the sample. K.9 Placard ID Counts Combined with Truck Type Counts Description This method includes a count of trucks by size/configuration in addition to counts of specific UN/NA placard IDs. It can be used to identify the presence of commodities associated with specific UN/NA placard IDs, estimate the proportion of observed total truck traffic that is placarded, as well as proportions of different types/configurations of trucks that are placarded. Although more complex observational truck traffic sampling can be performed without conducting interviews or examining shipping manifests, this method is probably the most complex that can be accom- plished using HMCFS volunteers. Limitations Reliability of information will depend on the sampling framework applied and accuracy of data collection. Supported Objectives Conducted with convenience, representative, cluster, stratified/proportional, or random sam- pling, supported objectives may include increasing awareness about hazmat transport, minimum Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples K-9

scenarios definition, maximum scenarios definition, emergency planning, identifying equipment needs, comprehensive planning, and route designation (depending on the quantity and quality of data). How to Use the Data 1. Group UN/NA placard ID information according to class/division, specific ID, TIH classifi- cation and associated initial response actions, or other categories. 2. Determine levels and patterns of observed placards (by hazmat grouping) for each truck type. This may range from a general estimate of placarded truck traffic in the entire jurisdiction to levels of placarded truck traffic by time for specific locations. 3. Determine truck traffic levels and patterns by type and configuration. This may range from estimates of truck traffic in the entire jurisdiction to levels of truck traffic by time for specific locations. 4. Proportions of hazmat placards observed (by grouping) to truck traffic (by type and config- uration) may be calculated. 5. Present the information in lists, tables, charts, or maps, as applicable. Application Example A local entity is interested in estimating the percentage of all trucks transporting Hazard Class 3 materials over a particular Interstate highway segment during the daytime, as well as variations in traffic levels. The local entity collects information for truck type, configuration and UN/NA placards for a daytime, weekday 8-hour count on an Interstate segment. The LEPC assumes that daytime, weekday traffic patterns are consistent with the observed time-period, and summarizes the information as listed in Table K.1. K-10 Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies Location: Roadway Segment Description Date: June 20, 2011 Time: 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Trucks Observed with Truck Type TruckConfiguration Class 3 Placards Other Placards Total Placards All Trucks Observed Straight 10 10 20 50 Tractor-Trailer 74 56 130 250 Tank Subtotal 84 66 150 300 Straight 0 1 1 400 Tractor-Trailer 7 22 29 1,600 Box Van Subtotal 7 23 30 2,000 Straight 0 0 0 200 Tractor-Trailer 0 1 1 1,000 Refrigerated Van Subtotal 0 1 1 1,200 Straight 1 8 9 200 Tractor-Trailer 0 6 6 500 Flatbed Subtotal 1 14 15 700 Straight 0 1 1 200 Tractor-Trailer 0 3 3 600 Other Subtotal 0 4 4 800 Total 92 108 200 5,000 Table K.1. Example summary of truck type, configuration, and UN/NA placard information.

Table K.2 summarizes the proportions of hazmat trucks and proportions of all trucks with a Hazard Class 3 placard and other placards. Table K.3 summarizes the hourly 90 percent confidence intervals using statistics (see Section K.10) for proportions of placarded trucks versus all trucks. As shown, these estimates have a moderate degree of variability. They are based on locally rel- evant survey data, but the sample was over a limited time period. They may be off by a moder- ate degree, but appear to suggest that some differences in hazmat traffic patterns exist, if they follow the same pattern. They also provide information about the type of hazmat transport haz- ards that may be expected, and when risk is greatest. Follow-on survey data may provide further information about the validity of the information. Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples K-11 Location: Roadway Segment Description Date: June 20, 2011 Time: 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. % Placarded Trucks with % All Trucks with Truck Type TruckConfiguration Class 3 Placard Other Placard Class 3 Placard Any Placard Straight 50% 50% 20% 40% Tractor-Trailer 57% 43% 30% 52.0% Tank Subtotal 56% 44% 28% 50% Straight 0% 100% 0.0% 0.3% Tractor-Trailer 24% 76% 0.4% 1.8% Box Van Subtotal 23% 77% 0.4% 1.5% Straight -- -- 0% 0% Tractor-Trailer 0% 100% 0.0% 0.1% Refrigerated Van Subtotal 0% 100% 0.0% 0.1% Straight 11% 89% 0.5% 4.5% Tractor-Trailer 0% 100% 0.0% 1.2% Flatbed Subtotal 7% 93% 0.1% 2.1% Straight 0% 100% 0.0% 0.5% Tractor-Trailer 0% 100% 0.0% 0.5% Other Subtotal 0% 100% 0.0% 0.5% Total 46.0% 54.0% 1.8% 4.0% Table K.2. Example summary of percentage trucks with UN/NA placards, by truck type and configuration. Table K.3. Example summary of percentage trucks with UN/NA placards, including confidence intervals. % Trucks with Hazmat Placard No. Trucks Observed with Placards 90% Confidence Intervals Hour of Day With Hazmat Placard Total Mean Lower Upper 8 A.M. 25 500 5.0% 3.62% 6.86% 9 A.M. 25 650 3.8% 2.78% 5.29% 10 A.M. 20 550 3.6% 2.53% 5.19% 11 A.M. 40 700 5.7% 4.43% 7.34% 12 P.M. 25 550 4.5% 3.29% 6.24% 1 P.M. 25 800 3.1% 2.26% 4.31% 2 P.M. 20 650 3.1% 2.14% 4.40% 3 P.M. 20 600 3.3% 2.32% 4.76% Total 200 5,000 4.0% 3.6% 4.5%

K.10 Comments on Statistical Analyses The 1995 Guidance (1) includes a discussion of statistical considerations for traffic count data, including flows that vary randomly, or in daily, weekly, or seasonal patterns. A table is provided in the Guidance for confidence intervals based on a Poisson distribution, which can be used for calculating probabilities of discreet event data such as truck counts. This is not the only distri- bution that is applicable for count information. For example, the data in Table K.3 were evalu- ated using a binomial distribution modified for extreme proportions (below 0.1 and above 0.9). Other analyses might include regression models. The research team is not minimizing the technical expertise of local entities in their primary fields, but the fact is that most (e.g., LEPCs) do not have actively involved personnel who are well versed in transportation statistical methods. The team suggests that LEPCs and other local entities conducting an HMCFS at objective levels where statistical considerations are impor- tant (see Appendix D) seek the advice of transportation professionals who are trained in these analyses. Individuals with this sort of expertise can often be found at universities, local (e.g., MPO), state, or federal agencies, or consulting firms. A number of potential statistical methods may be applied and these can be found in statistics and transportation engineering textbooks or other sources. K.11 Interviews with Hazmat Shippers, Receivers, and Carriers Description Interviews with hazmat shippers, receivers, and carriers, as well as with emergency responders and managers, and other key informants, are discussed in Chapter 5. Limited information from interviews can be used to confirm hazmat presence and help define priority sampling locations and frameworks. Limitations Unless many interviews are conducted, it is unlikely that sufficient information will be obtained using this method to develop reliable estimates of hazmat transportation over roadway network segments. How to Use the Data 1. For each interview, list the date, time, and identity of the individual, along with a description of information relevant to the HMCFS project. 2. Compile the interview results in lists or paragraphs. K.12 Shipping Manifests (Origin/Destination) Description This is the most resource-intensive new data collection method described in this guidebook for an HMCFS. An examination of shipping manifests can be used to confirm hazmat presence, help define priority sampling locations and frameworks, and provide information about the percent- age of non-placarded shipments that are carrying hazmat. K-12 Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies

Limitations As with interviews with shippers, receivers, and carriers, a great deal of shipping manifest information is needed to develop reliable estimates of hazmat transportation over local roadway networks, and full use of information obtained from shipping manifests requires advanced trans- portation modeling techniques. How to Use the Data 1. For each manifest examined, list the date, time, carrier, hazmat commodity and quantities, along with a description of information relevant to the HMCFS project provided by the carrier, including their origin and destination, routes taken, and the ultimate origin and destination of the shipment, if known. 2. Compile the results in tables, and summarize data accordingly. K.13 Hypothetical Application of HMCFS Data To illustrate these applications, consider the hypothetical case study of “Center County LEPC.” Sometown, Texas, is the main city in Center County. Sometown is approximately 30 miles from Megacity and has an Interstate highway that runs through it. The county has a history of agricul- tural production and is the location for an industrial facility that uses and ships hazardous materials, and it has a small crude petroleum processing facility. Sometown is a demographically young and growing community with a small paid fire department and a mostly unincorporated surrounding area that is served by volunteer fire departments (VFDs). It has been several years or longer since most of the VFDs have conducted any hazmat training or reviewed their standard operating guidelines for hazmat response. The last time mutual aid agreements or emergency response service incident command procedures were reviewed for any department in the county was in 2003, and the county population has grown by 50 percent since then. Although the Center County LEPC is interested in hazmat transport throughout the county, they are particularly interested in a stretch of Interstate highway east of Sometown that has the industrial facility on one side and subdivisions on the other side, including a large elementary school. Center County LEPC decides to conduct a hazmat CFS mostly to help them define train- ing needs but possibly other applications as well. The LEPC wants to better understand the vari- ability underlying the collected data and understand whether hazmat transportation patterns may vary by time of day. One of the LEPC members knows a faculty member from Megacity Univer- sity who lives in Center County and agrees to assist with statistically evaluating the data, where needed, as part of a class project. Assume that the analysis examples given in this appendix apply to the Interstate segment of inter- est to Center County LEPC, and that the LEPC might have obtained information about hazmat transport over the segment by any one of those methods. Using information from Sections K.1, K.2, K.3, or K.4, the LEPC might be able to raise awareness of local officials about the potential magnitude of the problem, or identify that a large number of Class 3 hazmat trucks may be going through their community and plan for training accordingly. Beyond that, however, few conclu- sions can be drawn. Using the information from Sections K.5 or K.6, the LEPC has better informa- tion about the types of incidents that can be expected, and although some estimates of the magnitude of potential exposure improve, the reliability of conclusions is still lower. Using information from Sections K.7 or K.8, the LEPC can start to get a better handle on the type, magnitude, and source of potential exposures, although additional data would be advised. Using information from Section K.9 improves on this even further by providing information Existing and New HMCFS Data Analysis Examples K-13

about when potential exposures might occur. Not only does the LEPC have better information about hazmat transport over the segment, but the locally relevant evidence provides justification if the LEPC needs to request modifications to practices or allocation of additional resources from other local, state, or federal agencies. For example, by examining the statistical variability of the data (confidence intervals), it appears that the proportion of truck traffic carrying hazardous materials during the late morn- ing period (11 A.M.–12 P.M.) over the segment may be significantly higher than the early after- noon period (1 P.M.–3 P.M.). This information is not conclusive since the intervals identify the likely range of hourly hazmat truck traffic averages at a 90 percent level of confidence. But it appears to make sense since the shipping manager of the industrial facility near the segment was interviewed (Section K.11) and indicated they do most of their shipments in the late morning. Occasionally, some of those shipments are Class 2.3 gases by large flatbed truck. Although traf- fic during the 8 A.M. to 9 A.M. period has a high average as well, it is not statistically different from any other time period. Say, for example, the elementary school sends half-day students home at 11:30 A.M., and those buses use the roadway segment of concern (it is the shortest, most direct route). The LEPC, the school district, and the industrial facility may want to consider whether there are alternate routing options for buses or tractor-trailers, even if these routes are less direct. The community and school may also wish to review building air infiltration rates and shelter- in-place, evacuation, and emergency notification systems to ensure that protocols and proce- dures reflect potential hazards. K-14 Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies

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TRB’s Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Program (HMCRP) Report 3: Guidebook for Conducting Local Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Studies is designed to support risk assessment, emergency response preparedness, resource allocation, and analyses of hazardous commodity flows across jurisdictions.

The guidebook updates the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Guidance for Conducting Hazardous Materials Flow Surveys. All modes of transportation, all classes and divisions of hazardous materials, and the effects of seasonality on hazardous materials movements are discussed in the guidebook.

The contractor’s final report and appendices (unedited by TRB), which documents the research supporting the development of the guidebook, are available online.

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