Authors: Testimony of Kenneth M. Mead before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials, Committee on Energy and Commerce

Date of Publication:  June 20, 1991

Sponsoring Agency:  U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO)

Performing Organization:  U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO)

Report No: GAO/RCED-91-135

Abstract:

Purpose The Department of Defense (DOD) owns locomotives and rail cars that are used to haul ammunition, explosives, or other hazardous material. The safe transport of this material both on military installations and over commercial railroads is critical to protect military personnel and property and the public. Concerned about railroad safety, the Chairman, House Committee on Energy and Commerce, asked GAO to determine the overall condition of DOD's rail equipment, track, and operations in relation to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) safety regulations.

A significant number of DOD's on base cars used for hauling hazardous material do not comply with one or more of FRA's or RSPA's safety standards. FRA officials said that, for the most part, the defects did not pose a serious safety risk because of the reduced stresses experienced by on-base equipment, compared to those experienced during commercial operations. GAO believes that DOD could enhance safety by correcting several types of defects. In particular, improvements are needed in safety appliances (such as handholds and steps), components to reduce fire hazards, and brake system tests. Currently, DOD does not have safety standards in these or other areas.

GAO also determined, with FRA assistance, that track was generally safe, but that track maintenance and inspection frequency did not comply with FRA standards that have been adopted by Army and Navy. Furthermore, Army does not have adequate procedures for securing hazardous material for on-base movement by rail.

In contrast to the on-base fleet, DOD maintains its interchange fleet comparably to cars in the commercial sector. Although FRA has cited DOD cars for defects over the last 6 years, FRA officials said that DOD's record was comparable to similarly sized commercial fleets.
 

No. of Pages:  53