Back on track: Creating a robust institutional framework for rail transport of hazardous substances in the Netherlands

The Basic Network Act (implemented in April 2015 after over 10 years of negotiations) aimed to increase safety by defining risk ceilings along transport routes of hazardous substances by water, road and rail as well as the possibilities for spatial development in areas adjacent to these routes. The evaluation of the act showed that risk ceilings, especially those of rail routes, were exceeded within the first year of the act coming into effect. This study aimed to analyse the functionality of the current Basic Network Rail and propose recommendations to increase its robustness in the future. The study concludes that the Basic Network Rail is essentially a good system. However, the three aspects of the system, namely safety, transport and spatial development, are not valued equally, which puts the Basic Network Rail out of balance. As a result (among others), risk ceilings are exceeded, stakeholders have few instruments to control the routes in advance and location-specific measures that reduce risk are not included in the current risk models. In order to improve the robustness of the system this study recommends to: (a) revise the risk ceilings on a number of rail routes, (b) set up a "rail specific system" for increased control of routing of rail transport, (c) optimise the use of the Betuwe railroad, (d) optimise information provision by using automated processes for risk assessment and monitoring of rail transport of hazardous substances and e) improve stakeholder communication and cooperation by implementing a consultation structure.