Reducing the rate of tank truck rollovers calls for a cost-effective way to combine driver training, rollover protection technology, and improved tank trailer and highway designs, was the message at the National Tank Truck Carrier 2007 Cargo Tank Maintenance Seminar November 12-14 in St Louis MO.
Joe DeLorenzo of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration gave an update on the agency's new drive to reduce rollovers. A recent study indicated that driver error was a factor in 75 percent of rollovers, a situation that calls for improved driver training.
However, he emphasized that driver training alone cannot solve the problem. "There is not a single solution for this problem," DeLorenzo said. Rollover protection technology has been made available and tank trailer designers are studying ways to make vehicles more stable. Other studies are underway for improving road signage, he added.
As part of the effort to solve the problem, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and National Tank Truck Carriers are co-sponsor three Tank Truck Rollover Prevention Summits this fall focusing on rollover reduction. The first meeting was conducted November 14 at the maintenance meeting and two others will be held: November 28 in Baltimore MD, and December 4 in Oakland CA. There is no charge for attending the summits. More information is available online at tanktruck.org or by telephoning 703-838-1960.
The maintenance meeting coverage will be presented in the February issue of Bulk Transporter.