Dangerous goods transport: 40 years of ADR in Austria
ADR specialists see handling of dry ice and lithium batteries as a challenge; Request for change of accompanied tank trains in tunnels
The European Agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road, ADR, has been in force for 40 years in Austria. During the celebrations of 40 years of ADR in Austria, Renate Römer, vice president of the Economic Chamber Austria, emphasised on the the country’s role in the development of the international dangerous goods act, „In 1957 Austria was one of the first signatory states of ADR in Geneva, and has fully adopted the international regulations in 1973 into national law. “
All parties’ (sender, packer, filler, shippers, carriers, unloader and receiver) responsible handling of dangerous goods has resulted in a decrease in dangerous accidents in 2012 by 26.5 per cent compared to the previous year. For the past 14 years in a row, not a single death on Austria’s roads due to transport of dangerous goods was recorded. „Austria is therefore a model country within the EU, as well as for all 48 ADR member countries“, Renate Römer explained in the context of the 12th Austrian Dangerous Day on November 14 in Vienna.
Currently hazards in handling dry ice and lithium batteries represent special challenges. „On part of the industry, we therefore rely on an improved information policy, because examples show, not only transport but also other sectors are concerned, such as trade, industry, tourism and leisure industry, but also consumers,“ said Alexander Klacska, chairman of the Transport and Communications Division of the Austrian Economic Chamber.
What needs to be changed from the perspective of the economy, is the obligation to accompany tank vehicles: The mandatory escort vehicle in tunnels without oncoming traffic seems no longer justified. Alexander Klacska: „An evaluation by experts in tunnel safety hazard could occupy the lower endangerment said Klacska. In a next step, a change in the motorway tunnel-regulation would be desirable.
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Quelle: LogEastics
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