Here’s 5 things to know about our investigation of train safety

Here are five things to know about the Dayton Daily News investigation of train safety.

1. There were 6,886 railroad accidents, such as derailment, collisions, fire or violent rupture, and explosions or detonation over the last four years in the U.S., according to data from USDOT’s Federal Railroad Administration.

2. Ohio ranks 4th in the U.S., with 281 train accidents between 2019 and November 2022. Texas had the most accidents, with 794, followed by Illinois and California, the data show.

3. In Montgomery County an average of 1.4 high-hazard flammable trains per week traveled through the county in 2022 and the highest number in one week was seven, according to Deb Decker, the county director of communications.

4. About 85% percent of serious incidents involving the release of hazardous material during transport occurred during highway transport, 12% on rail and 3% in air transport, between 2018 and January 31, according to data from the USDOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

5. Safety is the top priority for railroad companies and 99.9% of hazardous material shipments arrive at their destinations without incident, according to the Association of American Railroads.

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See our four-part 2023 regional economic outlook series

Part 1 - Dayton region economic outlook for 2023 is positive though tinged with recession worries

Part 2 - Regional economic outlook: Mild to moderate recession possible in 2023, local experts say

Part 3 - Regional economic outlook: Residents, businesses will still feel sting of inflation and higher interest rates in 2023

Part 4 - Regional Economic Outlook: Attracting and keeping skilled workers remains top issue for Dayton region in 2023