This 2021 Extended Corridor Study serves as a response to recommendations set forth in the 2018 Northwest Iowa Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Study (CFS). Its purpose is to assess the frequency and presence in the transport of hazardous materials and specifically placarded chemicals along key over-the-road corridors. Due to extensive construction at the time of the 2018 study, the LEPC determined that a supplemental study would be necessary once major renovations were complete. Data collected through on-site observations guide emergency response planning to ensure preparedness for all transportation-related hazardous materials incidents.
Data was assessed by US DOT chemical classification, chemical number, corridor, and County. Six corridors were included with five 8-hour observations per direction for each of I-29, US 20, and US 75 and three 8-hour observations per direction on IA-3, US 59, and IA-60. One additional data set was collected for C38 due to a recent increase in severe traffic incidents in the area.
Inclusion of crash and incident data with record of the observable presence of certain chemicals enables county Emergency Management Agencies to incorporate known dangers into training exercises and planning protocol.
Because some sensitive data was included for discussion, the document is not publicly available for viewing. County EMAs may be contacted for permitted review and/or discussion of content.