Rail Transportation
Rail Transportation Today
Today, the U.S. freight system is among the most efficient and cost-effective in the world. As domestic production in shale plays has grown, producers have relied on rail to move crude oil to refineries on the East and West Coasts.
Rail Safety
With so much new domestic production, rail has played an increasingly important role in the movement of crude oil. Rail infrastructure is vital to moving crude oil produced in new fields to otherwise underserved markets. Rail loading facilities for crude oil have been or are being constructed in virtually every new production area of the United States.
Crude by Rail Safety Course
API, the Association of American Railroads and the member companies of both organizations have worked to create a safety awareness course for first responders, providing some of the information first responders need to know before approaching an incident involving crude oil moved by rail.
ANSI/API Recommended Practice 3000
RP 3000 provides guidance on the material characterization, transport classification, and quantity measurement for overfill prevention of petroleum crude oil for the loading of rail tank cars.