Cost -Effectiveness of Reducing Environmental Risk From Railroad Tank Car Transportation of Hazardous Materials

DOT 111A100W1 specification tank cars are the most commonly used cars for the commodities considered. A variety of alternative tank cars with more protective features such as, half- or full-height head shields, jacket and insulation and top fittings protection were considered. Although the alternate cars are safer, they are also heavier and more expensive to build and operate. Cost-benefit analysis was conducted to determine if the reduction in the risk offset the extra cost of the more robust car. Three replacement schedules were considered: attrition-based, immediate, and a 10-year retrofit schedule. Under attrition-based replacement, all the commodities yielded a positive Net Present Value (NPV) for the enhanced safety 286,000 pound (286K) gross rail load (GRL) 111 tank car. This tank car was unique because it improved safety and reduced operating cost relative to the 263K alternatives. There were a few cost-beneficial 263K alternatives but the enhanced 286K 111 car yielded the largest NPVs.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Anand, Pooja

Contributors dc:contributor

• Christopher P.L.Barkan

• Engineering, Environmental

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3223536

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/83287