1997年，美国石油学会进行了一项调查，旨在评估堤防区域衬垫系统的有效性，并记录其使用过程中的操作问题。调查数据表明，由于班轮系统经常出现故障，因此班轮在保护环境方面的效果有限。数据进一步表明，地面储罐中很少有可由堤防区域衬垫处理的泄漏。由于很少有释放，数据不能直接证明班轮系统在控制释放方面的有效性或无效性；然而，得出的结论是，防止地上储罐泄漏的措施在保护环境方面更有效，从长远来看更具成本效益。

In 1997, API conducted a survey designed to evaluate the effectiveness of diked-area liner systems and to document operational problems involved with their use. The survey data indicated that the effectiveness of liners in protecting the environment is limited because liner systems frequently fail. The data further showed that there are few releases from aboveground storage tanks that would be addressed by diked-area liners. Because there were few releases, the data do not directly demonstrate the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of liner systems in containing releases; however, it was concluded that measures that prevent aboveground storage tank releases are more effective in protecting the environment and are more cost-effective in the long run.