RISK OF TRANSPORTING SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL BY TRUCK

The risk methodology used to evaluate the risk in shipping spent fuel includes: 1) a description of the spent fuel transport system, 2) identification of potential release sequences, 3) evaluation of the probabilities and consequences of the releases, and 4) calculation and assessment of the risk. The system description includes projected industry characteristics, amounts to be shipped, shipping package descriptions, material characteristics, transport mode, transport routes used and weather and population distribution information. Release sequences are identified by fault tree analysis tehniques. Releases are evaluated using package failure data, normal transport and transport accident environment data and mathematical models for material dispersion and resultant health effects. This information is combined to calculate the shipping system risk which is compared to other known risks. The data may be further analyzed to determine the primary contributors to the risk and identify possible methods for reducing the risk, if the current risk level is judged by society to be unacceptable. (ERA citation 05:011322)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Symposium on Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Materials, Las Vegas, NV, 7 May 1978.
• Corporate Authors:

  Batelle Memorial Institute/Pacific Northwest Labs

  Battelle Boulevard, P.O. Box 999
  Richland, WA  United States  99352

  Department of Energy

  1000 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20585
• Authors:
  • Elder, H K
  • ANDREWS, W B
  • Rhoads, R E
• Publication Date: 1978-5

Media Info

• Pagination: 10 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Failure; Fault tree analysis; Freight transportation; Ground transportation; Hazards; Index tests; Mathematical models; Nuclear fuels; Packaging; Probability; Risk assessment; Spent reactor fuels; Stabilizers; Trucks
• Uncontrolled Terms: Medical advisory boards
• Old TRIS Terms: Index properties; Land transport
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Energy; Freight Transportation; Highways; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors; I81: Accident Statistics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00318113
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: CONF-780506-44
• Contract Numbers: EY-76-C-06-1830
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 22 1980 12:00AM