Hazardous Materials Transportation Risks

    Periodically the Harford County Local Emergency Planning Committee will conduct a commodity flow survey of the hazardous materials that are transported through Harford County by highway, pipeline and railway. The risks of a chemical accident are higher when the substance is not in a secure stationary facility. Harford County has two pipeline transport systems that cross the county, Colonial Pipeline transports petroleum and Columbia Pipeline transports natural gas. I-95 is a major highway where tons of hazardous materials are transported daily. Another major transport for hazardous materials is Route 1. CSX and Conrail both transport hazardous materials into the county on a daily basis.

    When a commodity flow survey is done, the first step is to request information from the railroads and pipelines on there traffic amounts and materials. In concern for public safety against a terrorist or criminal act, these reports are released only to public safety officials.  The next step is a placard count.  Highway vehicles transporting over certain amounts of hazardous materials must be placarded with a warning symbol and a code that tells emergency responders what the vehicle is carrying. During a placard count members of the Harford County Hazardous Materials Response Team pick specific high traffic areas and count the placarded trucks.   The codes are recorded and then later analysed to determine what risks are involved with transportation. The results are always educational and assist emergency responders in proper planning for a transportation emergency.