Analysis of hazmat transportation accidents in congested urban areas, based on actual accidents in Mexico

This paper presents an analysis of exposure to a hazmat accident during transportation within an urban environment. We suggest a set of accidents which could really happen inside the Metropolitan Zone of Mexico City, based on information about recent real hazmat accidents in Mexico. Then, we obtain exposure areas for such accidents and calculate the number of exposed inhabitants and travellers who would need to be evacuated in case of a hazmat accident during transportation. Then, we compare real versus recommended evacuation areas and exposed people, and discuss whether such evacuation or sheltered-in–places, in the recommended time is really possible.