Year
1995
Abstract
When the Department of Energy (DOE) developed the initial transportation program for the transport of Transuranic (TRU) material to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site, it was well aware that the system would be under close scrutiny. The DOE had to establish credibility not only in the safety of the transportation system, but also in its ability to effectively address any transportation emergency that might occur. Starting in January 1987, the DOE began developing an integrated system to transport TRU material from ten widely dispersed generator sites to the WIPP. In June 1989, the National Academy of Sciences reviewed the transportation system and concluded that: \"The system proposed for transportation of TRU waste to WIPP is safer than that employed for any other hazardous material in the United States today and will reduce risk to very low levels.\" Enhancements to carrier equipment, emergency procedures and drivers training, plus participation in State, Tribal and local government emergency response exercises have earned the carrier, the DOE and the Waste Isolation Division (WID) the credibility of having developed a safe transportation system, prepared for any emergency.