Review – PHMSA Publishes HAZMAT via HATS ANPRM

Today the DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published in the Federal Register (90 FR 5836-55844) an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on “Hazardous Materials: Modernizing Regulations to Facilitate Transportation of Hazardous Materials Using Highly Automated Transportation Systems” (RIN 2137-AF68). PHMSA is seeking to obtain stakeholder input on potential revisions to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to facilitate the safe transportation of hazardous materials using highly automated transportation systems. PHMSA had earlier published a request for information on this topic.

Highly Automated Transportation Systems (HATS)

The ANPRM provides a discussion about the potential types of modal highly automated transportation systems (HAT) that might be used to transport hazardous materials and the hazardous material regulation challenges that they may present. These include:

Highly automated rail transportation systems,

Highly automated air transportation systems,

Highly automated vessel transportation systems, and

Highly automated commercial motor vehicles

Public Comments

PHMSA is soliciting public comments on this ANPRM. Comments may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal (www.Regulations.gov; Docket # PHMSA-2024-0064). Comments should be submitted by March 4^th, 2026.

 

For more information on the information PHMSA is seeking, as well as a brief cybersecurity related discussion, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/phmsa-publishes-hazmat-via-hats-anprm - subscription required.