NTSB to host meeting on tank-car safety

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will hold a roundtable discussion July 13 on the safety of transporting crude oil, ethanol and other flammable liquids by rail.

Representatives of railroads, rail-car manufacturers and owners and industry associations are slated to attend to discuss the progress of advancing a new, "more robust" rail car, the DOT 117, NTSB officials said in a press release.

NTSB member Robert Sumwalt will moderate the event, which will occur in Washington, D.C.

"We need to make the transportation of these flammable liquids safer," Sumwalt said. "That includes making sure trains stay on the tracks and having rail tank cars that can keep their product contained in the event of a derailment or crash."

Over the past five years, the NTSB has investigated nine accidents involving flammable liquids transported by rail. The board has issued eight safety recommendations calling for stronger and safer tank cars, including a recommendation that federal officials provide updates on the progress of the integration of the DOT 117 into the nation's rail fleet.

Improving tank-car safety is on the NTSB's 2016 "Most Wanted" list of transportation safety improvements.