Transportation launches Web site to track hazardous materials

The Transportation Department unveiled a Web site on Friday to help the federal government coordinate efforts to monitor the shipment of hazardous materials across the nation.

Comment on this article in The Forum.The Multimodal Hazmat Intelligence Portal (HIP) will allow federal officials to track companies that haul explosive, flammable, caustic or biological materials that pose risks to the public if released. The goal is to identify companies involved in mishaps such as chemical spills, explosions or other incidents and determine whether government intervention is needed to ensure public safety.

The Web site combines 25 data sources into a common system that allows officials to view the most up-to-date information on what is being transported, by whom and whether incidents have occurred. The site unites the five agencies that monitor the transport of hazardous materials: the Federal Aviation Administration, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, and the Coast Guard.

"Before this site we couldn't get a holistic view of hazmat," said Felicia Boyd, program manager for HIP. The goal is to put information about a company or carrier all in one place so officials can identify repeat offenders and spot trends to prevent accidents.

The site's dashboard, or main information screen, can be tailored to the user -- executive, manager or enforcement official. The score card screen links users to information from all 25 databases, including a list of incidents, inspections and certifications related to a particular company.

"The idea is to bring a search capability and the score card into one place, to provide a 360-degree view," said Boyd. Officials also plan to work with law enforcement agencies and the Transportation Security Administration to expand the Web site's reach and information sources.

If the oversight agencies find a carrier has repeated violations, they could require the company to complete a training program. If problems persist, then fines or other official sanctions could follow. Transportation hopes the new site will help officials identify and address negative trends with particular goods or packaging.

Jack Albright, Transportation's chief information officer, said the launch of HIP was the first phase of an iterative rollout. As new features become available, they will be introduced in six-month intervals.