Posted on May 2, 2010.
To compare the efficacy and safety of railways in the United States and trucks Today everyone talks about global warming and protect the environment. One way Americans can "Go Green" is to invest in railways and use of the nation. Railroads are much more energy efficient then their competition. Locomotives today get the mileage 80% more than a gallon of diesel fuel compared to 1980. As a result, trains consume far less fuel trucks to move in the same amount of goods thereby reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
Railways today use the latest technology which allows for savings. complex software is used to track the location of the cars and determine the most effective ways to bring in cars and trains and streamline the system. In addition, advanced electronics aboard locomotives assess topography, track curvature, train length and weight for optimal speed for fuel economy.
Railways are a safer country than the trucks?
Relatively speaking, the railways offer a safer alternative for trucks and should be used for the transportation of hazardous materials whenever possible. A semi truck accident involving hazardous materials could be an extremely dangerous situation. The transport of raw materials by rail results in about 14% of fatal crashes and 8% of injuries that trucks do per trillion ton-miles.
In addition, the railways have about 6% of HAZMAT incidents and trucks for about a tonne of Dangerous same mileage. Semi truck accidents often occur in densely populated areas. Finally, the railways have about 21% of HAZMAT incidents and trucks, resulting in death or serious injury for about a ton of Dangerous same mileage.
Security measures in place
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters, recently announced a new federal regulation requiring railroads to use the safest route and safest trains carrying toxic materials most hazardous and dangerous. The railway industry has also continued to improve its own benefit many areas of railways and new equipment. Beginning June 1, 2008 These regulations require railroads to conduct a comprehensive security risk analysis and security of its primary routes and any other possible route on which it is allowed to operate.
The safety analysis will consider a minimum of 27 risk factors such as length of trip, the volume and type of hazardous material moved, existing safety measures along the road and population density. Accordingly, it is expected that the railways will continue to be more effective and safer alternative for the trucks and the number of accidents involving hazardous materials tractor will decrease.
