A STANDARD FOR BARGE TRANSPORT OF TYPE B QUANTITIES OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

Although barge transportation plays an important role in the general commerce of the United States of America, only two radioactive material shipments have been completed. Despite the underutilization of the past, barge transportation is being considered by the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management of the United States Department of Energy (DOE) as a viable option to augment land modes for the transport of commercial spent fuel and high level wastes. Barges appear to have sufficient potential as a competitive mode for several circumstances to warrant further investigation. The DOE will be relying on a standard for barge transportation of radioactive material which has been issued recently by the American National Standards Institute. The Standard is written particularly for large amounts of radioactivity that will be carried in Type B packagings. Its issuance prior to an immediate need will aid in fostering public confidence that radioactive material shipments by barge can be accomplished in a safe and efficient manner.