In Korea more than 38,000 types of hazardous material(HAZMAT) are distributed, accordingly the accidents during transportation are also increasing. The agencies related to HAZMAT such as Environment Ministry, National Emergency Management Agency and National Police Agency have their own regulations. However, the classification criteria of HAZMAT are different to each other, which causes many problems in response to transportation accidents. In this study the classification standard of HAZMAT and the classification code using CAS number are suggested to manage HAZMAT efficiently. Through efficient management and standard classification of HAZMAT, the rapid and systematic response to transportation accidents related to HAZMAT is expected to be possible.
The types and quantities of Hazmat and Hazmat transportation are gradually increasing, keeping pace with industrialization and urbanization. At present the safety management for Hazmat transportation only considers reducing accident probability, but even when an accident involving Hazmat-carrying vehicles occurs, that is not regarded as a Hazmat-related accident if the Hazmats do not leak out from the containers carrying them. Thus the methods to reduce risk (Risk=Probability×Consequence) have to be developed by incorporating accident probability and consequence. By using Geographic Information System (GIS), a technical method is invented and is automatically able to evaluate the consequence by different types of Hazmat. Thus this study analyzed the degree of risk on the links classified by the Hazmat transport pathways. In order to mitigate the degree of risk, a method of 7-step risk management on Hazmat transportation in railway industries can be suggested. (1st step: building up GIS DB, 2nd step: calculating accident probability on each link, 3rd step: calculating consequence by Hazmat types, 4th step: determination of risk, 5th step: analysis of alternative plans for mitigating the risk, 6th: measure of effectiveness against each alternative, and 7th step: action plans to be weak probability and consequence by the range recommended from ALARP). In conclusion, those 7 steps are used as a standardization method of optimum transportation routing. And to increase the efficiency of optimum transportation routing, optional route can be revise by verification.
Ministry of Environment developed ‘Emergency Response Information System (ERIS)’ in 2001, which is in operation. As a next step, currently National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is being developed. The main difference among ERIS and NERIS is to enhance the system in the national level, including transportation of hazardous materials. This paper introduces concepts and methods applied to NERIS, especially HAZMAT, and the information system, operating strategies. Based on GIS and transportation-network data, the best route can be offered using Risk Analysis. Strategies for reporting and first-response information systems are also designed for emergencies in the paper.