TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS IN RAIL TRANSPORT OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

摘要

The purpose of this paper is to explore best practices from DOE Closure Projects and understand how DOE can improve its shipment policy and processes for radioactive and hazardous materials transportation.Categories of activities discussed will mirror DOE practices/policy as articulated in the “Transportation Practices Manual”.The paper provides experience on various aspects of shipment planning and execution in the DOE community.The information provides an overview on lessons learned and successful projects involving unique transportation and packaging concepts.By encompassing elements of the“Top to Bottom”report and other DOE or industry studies,the paper will promote discussions that will focus on more process improvements or gaps in DOE shipping processes and how those gaps can be closed for efficient,cost effective,and accelerated cleanup. On February 4,2002 a“Top to Bottom”report was presented to The Secretary of Energy by the Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management,the report identified 12 issues from the four major areas of the report.One of the issues in particular focused on“Packaging and Transportation to Support Accelerated Risk Reduction”.A call to action was stated in the report that required“..a better approach to packaging and transportation…having a such an approach will accelerate the removal of materials from the sites, with associated risk reduction and cost savings.” Taking into account the DOE practices/policy as articulated in the“Transportation Practices Manual”, lessons learned throughout the DOE complexes,and commercial practices industry is answering the call of providing innovative and cost reducing approaches to packaging and transportation issues. To illustrate this,several categories of activities or“best practices”have been provided.