Class 3 Flammable Liquids by Rail Regulations Have Been Announced but the Industry Still has Questions & Concerns as the Clock Ticks Down on Deadline Dates

HOUSTON, June 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

With 6 derailments of crude carrying trains this year the industry has been hit by regulators on increased safety demands to prevent and reduce impacts of future incidents. However, the regulations have created more questions than they have answered and the industry is desperately trying to understand what is required to comply and remain safe with rail takeaway.

An estimated 150,000 rail cars are being phased out to be replaced by the preferred DOT 117 designs, however, retrofitting these cars to the new specifications is no easy feat and shop capacity and timelines are making the task somewhat impossible.

Train speed limits, tank car availability and capacity as well as liability and insurance will have a monumental impact on shipment timings and pricing, it is vital that these costs and future changes are accurately calculated to analyze the future viability of rail as a method of product takeaway.

The 3^rd Annual Crude & Hazardous Liquids By Rail Safety Congress has been engineered to provide an educational platform for all stake holders in the supply chain. With a holistic approach to safety, the meeting will provide case studies of best practices, analysis of future costs and investigations into the advantages of recent regulatory changes.

Key topics to be discussed by top industry experts over the 2 days include:

• RAIL CAR DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS & IMPACTS: Detailing the proven advantages found with the new rail car assessing the extent of the impact on shipments and costs
• TRANSLOADING SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY: Examining the best practices for transloading unit trains and determining the importance of new technologies in safety
• RISK ASSESSMENTS: Investigating the major risks posed by rail transportation and identifying the key risk management techniques
• RAILROAD STEPS: Evaluating the steps taken by railroads to prevent derailments such as adopting positive train control (PTC)
• EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS: Detailing the best response plans for varying scenarios to ensure quick and efficient clean ups

Key speakers include The National Transportation Safety Board, Sunoco Logistics, National Steel Car, National Resource Council Canada, AFPM, Railway Suppliers Institute, Southwest Association of Rail Shippers & many more.

For further information about the Crude & Hazardous Liquids By Rail Safety Congress visit http://www.crude-hazardous-liquids-rail-safety.com or email [email protected], tel 1-800-721-3915

SOURCE American Business Conferences