TRUCK TRANSPORT OF RAM: RISK EFFECTS OF AVOIDING METROPOLITAN AREAS

In the transport of radioactive material (RAM), e.g., spent nuclear fuel (SNF), stakeholders are generally most concerned about risks in high-populatioiHiensity areas along transportation routes because of the perceived high consequences of potential accidents. The most significant portions of a transcontinental route and an aJtemative examined previously (Mills and Neuhauser, 1998) were evaluated again using population density data derived from US Census Block data. This method of charactermng population that adjoins route segments offers improved resolution of population-density variations, espec:iaiJy in high-population-density areas along typical transport routes. Calculated incident-free doses and accident dose-risks for these routes, and the rural, suburban and urban segments are presented for comparison of their relative magnitudes. The results indicate that modification of this route to avoid major metropolitan areas through use of non-Interstate highways increases total risk yet does not eliminate a relatively small urban component of the accident dose-risk. This conclusion is not altered by improved resolution of route segments adjoining high-density populations.