Development of a spatial risk assessment tool for the transportation of hydrocarbons: Methodology and implementation in a geographical information system

• Published in: Environmental modelling & software : with environment data news Vol. 46; pp. 61 - 74
• Main Authors: Tena-Chollet, F., Tixier, J., Dusserre, G., Mangin, J.-F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; case studies; Computer Science; computer software; Dangerous goods transportation; Decision-making; environmental models; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects. Techniques; Geographic information systems; GIS; Hydrocarbons; infrastructure; Methodology; Methods and techniques (sampling, tagging, trapping, modelling...); Modeling and Simulation; prediction; risk; Risk assessment; Risk levels; Satellite navigation systems; stakeholders; Transportation; France; ANE, France; France, Paris; GIS; Dangerous goods transportation; Decision-making; Risk assessment; Hydrocarbon; Methodology; Decision making; Geographic information system; Development; Risk analysis; Implementation; risk assessment; dangerous goods transportation; decision making
• ISSN: 1364-8152; 1873-6726
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2013.02.010

The transportation of dangerous goods is a complex issue involving various potential consequences for a wide range of high-stake elements. Most particularly, hydrocarbon transportation requires the carrying out of a global study in order to assess the risks involved. The aim of this study is to develop a prediction code for analyzing different possible hydrocarbon supply routes in order to determine whether modifying the flow of hydrocarbon transportation significantly increases the risk (for people, infrastructure and the environment). On the one hand, this paper details the methodology proposed for assessing risk levels using hazard scenarios and the vulnerability of high-stake elements. On the other hand, it presents the modeling tool developed (CARTENJEUX), based on an existing geographical information system (MapInfo), through a case study (Paris, France). Several maps (severity of accident, vulnerability and risk levels) generated using CARTENJEUX are presented in order to illustrate how stakeholders can determine preferential routes at regional scale.
► We examine the ins and outs of Dangerous Goods Transportation. ► We study existing risk assessment methods, their limits and the ways of improvement. ► A spatial risk assessment tool for the transportation of hydrocarbons is proposed. ► Some cases of study are used in order to create vulnerability maps of high-stake elements.