The transportation of hazardous products in pipelines through urban areas
The pipeline – urban encroachment problem is a growing phenomenon in Canada, and the transportation of high vapour pressure liquid petroleum and other hazardous products has added a new dimension to public safety. While pipelines are the safest means of transporting such products, the incidence of damage to these pipelines by outside forces is increasing primarily because of additional activities around them. The problem is being studied by various regulatory agencies, planning groups, and the pipeline industry itself, and encouraging progress is being made. Some of the developments taking place include transportation and utility corridors, innovative land-use planning, legislation to reduce damage by outside forces, upgraded pipeline standards and new technology, one-call systems for locating underground facilities, and an integrated approach toward establishment of emergency contingency plans. Key words: hazardous products pipelines, urban encroachment, transportation corridors, pipeline standards, pipeline legislation, pipeline leak detection, one-call system.