Packaging and Transportation

A large truck carrying three large shipping containers.
A transuranic waste shipment consisting of three Transuranic Package Transporter Model-II casks safely arrives at Environmental Management’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.

Packaging and Transportation News

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Safe packaging and transportation of materials is critical to the success of DOE operations. Annually, DOE transports about 5,000 shipments including radioactive, hazardous, and non-hazardous materials. Located within EM, the Office of Packaging & Transportation (OPT) supports field sites in achieving safe transportation through development and management of policy, oversight programs, automated tools, and collaborative forums. These programs and tools are available to the entire DOE complex.

Hanford Mission Integration Solutions transports two empty tanks weighing more than five tons each from outside the Hanford Site’s Effluent Treatment Facility to an onsite landfill, making room for wastewater treatment work by EM Office of River Protection contractor Washington River Protection Solutions.
Hanford Mission Integration Solutions transports two empty tanks weighing more than five tons each from outside the Hanford Site’s Effluent Treatment Facility to an onsite landfill, making room for wastewater treatment work.
Electrical lineworkers with Hanford Mission Integration Solutions carefully lift overhead power lines to allow a trailer hauling empty tanks to Hanford’s landfill to pass.
Electrical lineworkers with Hanford Mission Integration Solutions carefully lift overhead power lines to allow a trailer hauling empty tanks to Hanford’s landfill to pass.

Packaging Certification Program

The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, gives DOE broad authorities to regulate all aspects of activities involving radioactive materials that are undertaken by DOE or on its behalf, including transportation.  OPT manages the program for the packaging certification of Type B and fissile material packaging which conform with U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements. For additional information about the DOE Packaging Certification Program, visit the Radioactive Material Packaging (RAMPAC) website. The program includes the following:

 

  • Providing guidance for preparing Safety Analysis Reports for Packaging;
  • Reviewing and approving packaging designs;
  • Issuing DOE Certificates of Compliance;
  • Reviewing and recertifying Certificates of Compliance;
  • Curtailing and suspending the use of specific packages, when warranted; and
  • Reviewing and approving quality assurance programs for Type B and fissile materials radioactive materials packaging.

The Packaging Certification Program conducts routine training for radioactive packaging activities related to Safety Analysis Report for Packaging preparation and packaging quality assurance, maintenance and operations.

The first shipment of downblended surplus plutonium from the K Area at Savannah River Site in South Carolina departs the site en route to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico.
The first shipment of downblended surplus plutonium from the K Area at Savannah River Site in South Carolina departs the site en route to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico.

Automated Tools

(Note that these tools require account access and are generally limited to DOE users, contractors, and certain stakeholders.)

  • ATLAS

    The Automated Transportation Logistics and Analysis System is a web-based freight management system allowing users to manage inbound and outbound shipments by highway, rail, and air.

  • TRAGIS

    The Transportation Routing Analysis GIS allows users to analyze potential routes for shipment of hazardous materials including nuclear material and spent nuclear fuel. It is compatible with the NRC’s RADTRAN software for performing population risk assessments and accident dosing models.

  • TRANSCOM

    An unclassified tracking and communication system which can monitor the progress of various "high visibility" shipments. 

Stakeholder Engagement

  • National Transportation Stakeholders Forum (NTSF) 

    Collaboration and coordination with jurisdictions along the transportation corridors is key in accomplishing the EM cleanup mission. The purpose of the NTSF is to bring transparency, openness, and accountability to DOE's offsite transportation activities through collaboration with state and tribal governments. NTSF members may obtain additional information at the NTSF website.

    Click here to view the NTSF Charter

  • Transportation Emergency Preparedness Program (TEPP)

    TEPP provides the tools for planning, training and exercises, and technical assistance to assist state and Tribal authorities in preparing for response to a transportation incident involving DOE shipments of radioactive material. For more information including class schedule, please visit the TEPP website.

Oversight and Support Programs

  • Motor Carrier Evaluation Program (MCEP)

    OPT manages and implements the DOE MCEP in accordance with DOE Order 460.2B, Departmental Materials Transportation Management, maintains and monitors a list of evaluated motor carriers from which DOE/NNSA field offices and contractors select to ship their radioactive materials and hazardous wastes.

  • Transportation Compliance Assessment Program (TCAP)

    In accordance with DOE Order 460.2, Departmental Materials Transportation and Packaging Management, DOE sites must evaluate contractors/subcontractor transportation and packaging operations at each facility every three years. TCAP provides a framework for accomplishing these evaluations.

  • Transportation Management Council (TMC) and Packaging Management Council (PMC)

    OPT serves as federal sponsor and advisor for DOE's TMC and PMC. Membership is made up of DOE and NNSA federal and contractor personnel involved in transportation and packaging operations. TMC provides a forum to address challenges and best practices in shipping operations and transportation safety activities. PMC provides a similar forum for DOE packaging activities.