Hazmat Routing

In the Routing APIs, you can select hazardous materials route options using the hazMat, HazMatType, and HazMatTypes parameters in North America; as well as the tunnelCategory or TunnelCategories parameters in Europe.

Depending on the values you select for those parameters, the routing algorithm will generate legal and safe routes by avoiding or favoring certain types of roads. The charts below describe the impact on routing based on the hazmat type and road category.

• favor = routing will prefer these segments

• no change = routing will not be altered in any way

• avoid = routing will go around these segments whenever possible

• discourage = a lesser degree of avoidance, used when a state or road authority allows hazmat only at certain times of day, with prior notification, by permit, or in limited quantities, and for tunnels not otherwise classified

Hazmat route options and road categories - North America

Applies to U.S. and Canada

Hazmat route options and road categories - Outside of North America

Applies to Africa (AF), Asia (AS), Europe (EU), Middle East (ME), Oceania (OC), and South America (SA) – unless otherwise noted

Tunnel categories in Europe

In addition to the HazMatType or HazMatTypes parameters, ADR hazmat tunnel restriction codes can be set for routing in Europe with the tunnelCategory or tunnelCategories parameters.

U.S. DOT hazmat classes

The table below shows the wording used for setting the hazMat, HazMatType, and HazMatTypes parameters. (Parameter settings are bolded.) It is derived from industry-standard placarded descriptions of hazardous materials, corresponds to the U.S. Department of Transportation Hazmat classifications.

    Class 1: Explosives – Explosive  

    Class 2: Compressed Gases               

                2.1: Flammable Gas – Flammable               

                2.2: Non-Flammable Compressed Gas – Other                

                2.3: Poisonous Gas – Inhalant  

    Class 3: Flammable and Combustible Liquid – Flammable  

    Class 4: Flammable Solids               

                4.1: Flammable Solid – Flammable               

                4.2: Spontaneously Combustible Material – Flammable                

                4.3: Dangerous When Wet Material – Flammable  

    Class 5: Oxidizers – Other  

    Class 6: Poisons               

                6.1: (part) Inhalation Hazard – Inhalant               

                6.1: (balance) – Other               

                6.2: Infectious Substance (Etiologic agent) [“Biohazard”] – Other  

    Class 7: Radioactive Materials – Radioactive  

    Class 8: Caustic Liquids – Caustic

    Class 9: Miscellaneous – Other  

Determining the hazmat setting

Hazmat regulations for a particular tunnel on a route should be checked if there is any doubt about which materials are permitted. Regulations may change over time and might not be included in the version of the PC*MILER database that you are currently using. The shipper of hazardous materials is legally responsible for determining the U.S. DOT Hazmat Class for their shipment and communicating that class to the carrier in their shipping papers.