Industry Opinion

In addition to the surveys conducted to determine what information different stakeholders believe would be most useful in an accident damage database, the survey

explored the preferences stakeholders may have regarding the database. Due to the potential differences in the use of bulk package accident performance data, five surveys, targeting package manufacturers, carriers, shippers, repair facilities, and researchers/government organizations, were developed. Questions were tailored to each survey group to maximize collecting information best known by those industry sectors. Copies of the surveys, and an explanation of their development, can be found in Appendix A.

4.8.1 Database Structure Preferences

The survey respondents were asked to identify whether the proposed accident database should be mandatory or voluntary, sponsored by industry or government, and a new process/database or built on existing programs (i.e., add fields to Form DOT F 5800.1 and increase reporting compliance). Opinions varied within industry groups concerning the preferred database approaches; however, the reasons for choosing one approach over

another tended to be similar across stakeholder groups, regardless of the preferred approach. In general, the respondents were fairly evenly split as to their preference between mandatory verses voluntary reporting (Figure 4.4, Table 4.2), 67% of respondents were in favor of an industry versus government-sponsored approach (Figure 4.5, Table 4.3), and 63% of respondents were in favor of building off of an existing database verses a new database approach (Figure 4.6, Table 4.4).

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Figure 4.4 Survey Respondent Preferences for Mandatory vs. Voluntary Bulk Package Accident Performance Data Collection Program

Table 4.2 Main Concerns Expressed by Survey Respondents Regarding Mandatory or Voluntary Bulk Package Accident Performance Data Collection Program

Main Concerns Addressed By:

Mandatory Approach Voluntary Approach

 Increased workload justification/fairness

 Fear of legal liability leads to unreported incidents if not mandatory

 Small sample sizes from which to draw conclusions if reporting is not mandatory

 Increased workload with little perceived benefit

 Fear of legal liability leads to underreporting

 Small sample size for particular cargo tank type

 Time lag between crash and report submittal 17% 25% 33% 41% 75% 83% 75% 67% 59% 25% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Shippers Repair Facilities Manufacturers Carriers Researchers Preference (%) Mandatory Voluntary

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Figure 4.5 Survey Respondent Preferences for Industry vs. Government-Sponsored Bulk Package Accident Performance Data Collection Program

Table 4.3 Main Concerns Expressed by Survey Respondents Regarding Industry- vs. Government-Sponsored Bulk Package Accident Performance Data Collection

Program

Main Concerns Addressed By:

Industry-Sponsored Approach Government Sponsored Approach  Industry has the expertise (knowledge /

experience) to correctly interpret the data.

 Industry will be better able to keep the program on track.

 The industry is overregulated as it is, but has good self-regulation.

 Increased ability to change what is being reported.

 Industry-sponsored approaches lead to more homogeneous samples.

 Government is better equipped to keep the program on track and deal with enforcement issues (if mandatory approach is also adopted).

 Government is better able to absorb costs of maintaining such a database.

 Government has the expertise (knowledge/ experience) to correctly interpret the data.

 Data will be available for researchers to analyze. 25% 65% 67% 86% 100% 75% 35% 33% 14% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Researchers Carriers Manufacturers Shippers Repair Facilities Preference (%) Industry-Sponsored Government-Sponsored

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Figure 4.6. Survey Respondent Preferences for New Bulk Package Accident Performance Data Collection Program vs. Accident Performance Data Collection

Built Off of Existing Program

Table 4.4 Main Concerns Expressed by Survey Respondents Regarding New Bulk Package Accident Performance Data Collection Program vs. Accident Performance

Data Collection Built Off of Existing Program.

Main Concerns Addressed By:

New Bulk Package Data Collection Program Built Off Existing Program  Maintain familiarity with reporting

 Reduce amount of information reported

 Newer reporting technology leads to a better understanding of events and better quality data

 Quicker enactment

 Ability to improve efficiency and simplify reporting

 Reduce redundant reporting 4.8.2 Anticipated Voluntary Program Participation

Overall, the survey respondents believe that there would be little participation in a voluntary database if one were to be adopted. This contrasted with respondents’ replies regarding whether they would participate in such an effort.

4.8.2.1 Manufacturers

The manufacturers who replied to the survey indicated that liability considerations and, to a lesser extent, confidentiality and paperwork are of greatest concern when

considering participation in a voluntary program. As a result, while two manufacturers

24% 25% 33% 38% 60% 76% 75% 67% 62% 40% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Carriers Researchers Manufacturers Repair Facilities Shippers Preference (%)

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indicated they would be willing to participate in such a voluntary effort, one indicated that they probably would not.

4.8.2.2 Repair Facilities

Six of the repair facilities indicated that they would, or most likely would, be willing to provide data to populate a voluntary program while only one indicated they probably would not participate in a voluntary program. The concerns identified by repair facilities are primarily the amount of paperwork accompanying such an effort followed by confidentiality, liability considerations, and cost.

4.8.2.3 Carriers

Of the 29 carriers who responded to the survey, 26 (90%) indicated they would, or most likely would, be willing to provide data to populate a voluntary program. Figure 4.7 shows the carriers greatest concerns with participation in a voluntary program. However, this positive response is from individuals who chose to participate in the survey.

Consequently, the responses to this question may be skewed in favor of participation in another voluntary effort.

Figure 4.7 Carrier Concerns with Participating in a Voluntary Program

4.8.2.4 Shippers

Of the seven shippers who responded to the survey, six (85%) indicated they would, or most likely would, be willing to provide data to populate a voluntary program. However, this positive response is from individuals who chose to participate in the survey.

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Consequently, the responses to this question may be skewed in favor of participation in another voluntary effort. The primary concerns identified by shippers are confidentiality, paperwork, and liability.