Date of Award

3-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Operations Research

Department

Department of Operational Sciences

First Advisor

John E. Bell, PhD

Abstract

Every day, over 800,000 hazmat transactions take place across the United States. This segment of transportation is expected to grow at a modest two percent a year for the foreseeable future but differences of regulations between the state and Federal level have been a growing concern for both the government and members of the hazmat industry. A patchwork of often inconsistent permits, registration requirements, and hazmat organizational structures at the state level often create barriers to the efficient means of commerce for hazmat carriers and shippers. This thesis explores the history of hazardous regulations since de-regulation of the trucking industry and focuses specifically on the past decade of Federal legislation that has contributed to the growing disparity between state hazmat programs and policies. Finally, the events of September 11th, 2001 have changes many laws and legislation pertaining to hazmat and this research portrays the effects of the terrorist attacks at the state level. This research included a meta-analysis approach and also collected empirical data about existing state-level hazmat policies from a sample of seven states. The results are published in the form of charts and interpretive graphical maps designed to show patterns not previously displayed by any other types of research in this area of study.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GLM-ENS-06-10

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