New safety requirements coming to tank cars that carry flammable liquids

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The Department of Transportation is giving companies three years to make safety improvements to a fleet of rail cars that often carry Bakken crude oil through Indiana. The move comes after fiery derailments in West Virginia and Canada raised safety concerns.

Bakken crude oil is a highly volatile substance. Last fall, I-Team 8 reported on the aging tank cars and uncovered that local county officials were unaware of Bakken crude oil shipments despite federal law requiring they be notified.

The improvements include enhanced braking systems, speed restrictions, thicker jacketed tank cars and revealing information about the train’s route.

You can read more about the new requirements here.