Risk Analysis of Vehicle/Track Interaction Related Derailment for Dangerous Goods Transportation by Rail

Abstract

A vehicle/track interaction related derailment model for a tank car with liquid cargo was developed which takes into consideration grade, curvature, track geometries, car trailing tonnage, car length dimensions and coupler lengths of adjoining cars, speed, superelevation, density and fill ratio of liquid cargo, etc. The model can be used to improve the derailment risk analysis of dangerous goods transportation by rail. Derailment risk is a product of the probability of a derailment and the consequence of that derailment. The vehicle/track interaction related derailment model is an important part of the probability analysis to determine how risk would be affected by improving track geometry, optimizing cant deficiency, controlling friction, grinding more often, optimizing train marshalling, etc. Consequence analysis models were developed based on a GIS database of the railway network, population, waterways in Canada. Safety risk analysis was conducted based on the potential impact of a dangerous goods release due to a derailment on the population in close proximity to the track. Environmental risk was based on the potential impact of dangerous goods release due to a derailment on the local environment. Such risk analysis can be used to assist in train marshalling, route planning and risk mapping.