49 U.S.C. § 5118

Current through P.L. 118-64 (published on www.congress.gov on 05/24/2024), except for [P. L. 118-63]

Section 5118 - Hazardous material technical assessment, research and development, and analysis program

(a) RISK REDUCTION.-

(1) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.-The Secretary of Transportation may develop and implement a hazardous material technical assessment, research and development, and analysis program for the purpose of-

(A) reducing the risks associated with the transportation of hazardous material; and

(B) identifying and evaluating new technologies to facilitate the safe, secure, and efficient transportation of hazardous material.

(2) COORDINATION.-In developing the program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall-

(A) utilize information gathered from other modal administrations with similar programs;

(B) coordinate with other modal administrations, as appropriate; and

(C) coordinate, as appropriate, with other Federal agencies.

(b) COOPERATION.-In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall work cooperatively with regulated and other entities, including shippers, carriers, emergency responders, State and local officials, and academic institutions.

(c) COOPERATIVE RESEARCH.-

(1) IN GENERAL.-As part of the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary may carry out cooperative research on hazardous materials transport.

(2) NATIONAL ACADEMIES.-The Secretary may enter into an agreement with the National Academies to support research described in paragraph (1).

(3) RESEARCH.-Research conducted under this subsection may include activities relating to-

(A) emergency planning and response, including information and programs that can be readily assessed and implemented in local jurisdictions;

(B) risk analysis and perception and data assessment;

(C) commodity flow data, including voluntary collaboration between shippers and first responders for secure data exchange of critical information;

(D) integration of safety and security;

(E) cargo packaging and handling;

(F) hazmat release consequences; and

(G) materials and equipment testing.

49 U.S.C. § 5118

Added Pub. L. 112-141, div. C, title III, §33007(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 835; amended Pub. L. 114-94, div. A, title VI, §60146014,, 129 Stat. 1570.

EDITORIAL NOTES

PRIOR PROVISIONSA prior section 5118,Pub. L. 103-272, §1(d)5118,, 108 Stat. 777; Pub. L. 108-426, §2(c)(2), Nov. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 2424, related to employment of additional hazardous material safety inspectors, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 109-59, title VII, §7115(h), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1901.

AMENDMENTS2015-Subsec. (a)(2)(C). Pub. L. 114-94, §6014(1), added subpar. (C). Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114-94, §6014(2), added subsec. (c).

STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2015 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 114-94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114-94 set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

EFFECTIVE DATE Section effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112-141 set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of Title 23, Highways.

hazardous material

"hazardous material" means a substance or material the Secretary designates under section 5103(a) of this title.