Using Alternate Technologies and Advancements Through Special Permits, Waivers, and Other Technology Notifications

Abstract

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline Safety recognizes there may be technologies and advancements not currently allowed by the federal regulations that can improve safety, and has processes to allow such technologies and advancements. These processes include Special Permits, State Waivers, and Other Technology Notifications. This paper describes observations and trends related to PHMSA’s accumulated data from the last few decades, and includes a summary of new technologies and innovative solutions that are not currently covered in codified standards or regulations.1