Application of a Decision-Support Tool for Evaluating Radioactive Material Transportation Routing Options and Emergency Preparedness

The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy is laying the groundwork forimplementing interim storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) pursuant to the Administration’sStrategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High-LevelRadioactive Waste. This effort includes planning to address technical and logistical aspectsof transporting SNF to interim storage or disposal facilities. A key project component isthe development and utilization of a decision-support tool to evaluate transportationrouting options and identify preparedness training needs. The Stakeholder Tool forAssessing Radioactive Transportation (START) is a web-based application that utilizesgeographic information systems (GIS) technology to represent transportation networkoperations as well as proximate features, such as political boundaries, emergencyresponse capability, schools and environmentally-sensitive areas. Modes and routesbetween shipment origins and destinations designated by the user can be evaluatedaccording to multiple routing criteria, and users can impose constraints that require theroute to pass through or avoid specified locations. Route summaries and route detailreports are produced, describing route efficiency, safety, proximity to criticalinfrastructure and environmental exposure, enabling stakeholders to understand theimplications of alternative route options. This paper describes START’s capabilities andillustrates its use in supporting a variety of transportation planning activities, including: 1)stakeholder communication and information sharing, 2) methodology for routeidentification and analysis, 3) evaluation of preparedness training needs, 4) near-siteinfrastructure assessment, and 5) waste management systems analysis.