Determining the Critical Factors in the Transportation of Explosives and Hazardous Materials to Protect the Environment and Human Life

Abstract

Abstract The study’s main objective is to determine the critical factors in the transportation of explosives to prevent the possible damage that might be given to the environment. In this study, the “Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL)” method is applied as one of the multi-criteria decision-making techniques. A direct relationship matrix is created based on the knowledge of 9 experts. The answers provided by these experts were used in determining important criteria in explosives transportation. The main influencing factor is determined as the recognition/awareness of the Procedures and Policies, especially by the shipping country. The second influencing factor is determined as the supply of adequate and appropriate equipment and tools. When the applicability of explosive transport is examined according to the weights of the factors affected by the process, it is seen that the most affected factor is optimum efficiency. Therefore, ensuring optimum process efficiency is of high importance to protecting the environment human life, and public health.