Hazardous materials transportation rules and regulations at bridge-tunnel facilities

The problem of identification, classification, regulation, and control of toxic substances during transportation is one of tremendous magnitude and significance. Development of rules and regulations for shipment of hazardous materials through special facilities such as bridges and tunnels was the main objective of a study performed under contract for the Virginia Department of Transportation. During the conduct of this project many tasks were undertaken to produce a single manual of rules and regulations for bridge-tunnel facilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This paper is a summary of that study, and it concentrates on the details of the analytical framework that was used to generate a set of criteria by which regulations for new and unlisted substances could be developed in the existing manuals. For example, the methodology of developed rules and regulations for the flammable liquids hazard class is discussed to provide an overview of the entire analytical technique.