WIPP TRU waste transportation: A circle of safety

To support the mission of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), the US department of Energy (DOE) and its management and operating contractor, the Waste Isolation Division (WID) of Westinghouse Electric Corporation, required a transportation system that would meet regulatory requirements and address the issues and concerns of the various stakeholders. The transport system is designed to transport 20,000 or more shipments of contact handled, radioactive, transuranic (TRU) waste over a thirty-five-year period in a safe manner. The system must also meet or exceed all safety requirements. To achieve this objective, the DOE and Westinghouse worked closely with the Western Governors` Association (WGA), the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB), the Indian tribes, and outside agencies to identify their concerns on the transport of radioactive material. Using the various inputs, the DOE and Westinghouse built a transportation system that has set standards for the transportation industry. The system incorporates an integrated equipment design, highly qualified drivers, training for emergency response personnel, and testing and evaluation of both equipment and personnel. Each portion of the system is like the arc of a circle. By connecting the arcs, a circle of safety is made around the transport of TRU wastes