HazMat Transport 101: Regs, Routes & Real-Time Tracking
1. Understanding DOT Regulations: The Foundations of Safe HazMat Transport
At the heart of hazardous materials (HazMat) transport lies the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA, 1975), which empowers the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to establish safety standards and prevent spills, environmental damage, and illegal dumping.
These standards are codified in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) found in 49 CFR Parts 100–185. These rules apply at every stage—classification, packaging, marking, labeling, placement of placards, and emergency planning—governing land, air, rail,...