Collison with CGH2 trailer

A tube trailer carrying compressed hydrogen tubes was hit by car, without consequences.

[Zalosh and Short, 1978]

The INITIATING CAUSE was a traffic accident (collision).
ROOT CAUSE was a human error when driving.
This is a near miss. The collision did not cause any damage to the hydrogen system, because of sturdy construction of the trailer

collision

the injured person was caused by the collision, not by the hydrogen system.

Approx. 15000 $ damage

The interlocked hydrogen detection system intevened, stopping the hydrogen flow. This prevented further escalation.
Despite the the quick automatic action (7.3 sec after vent rupture), it activated too late to avoid the formation of a flmmable air-hydrogen mixture , which ignited with delay and exploded.

Zalosh et al (see references), concluded their analysis of hydrogen transportation accidents till 1978 with the following conclusions:
"Finally, an encouraging aspect of the transportation incident compilation is that 71% of the hydrogen releases did not lead to an ignition. ... The relatively few ignitions may be due to either to lack of ignition sources or to the rapid dispersal of hydrogen into the atmosphere. In any event, the accident data provide further incentive to transport , transfer and store hydrogen outdoors away from occupied areas."