Hazardous materials transportation

Residents along transport corridors with heavy dangerous goods traffic are exposed to the risk of catastrophic incidents. The presentation will start with an overview of the prevailing transport risk assessment models. Then, the use of geographical information systems (GIS) will be discussed. Common measures utilized by governments to mitigate transport risk include closing certain roads to hazardous vehicles and establishing effective emergency response systems. We will present analytical approaches to facilitate the development of such regulations and report on their implementation in Quebec and Ontario. Finally, we will outline a methodology that incorporates the differentiating features of rail shipments of dangerous goods.

Vedat Verter is Associate Professor of Operations Management and Management Science at McGill University. Hazardous materials logistics has been one of his research areas for the past ten years. His research results have been well received by not only academicians but also various government agencies in North America and Europe. His other research areas are supply chain design, reverse logistics and health care operations management.