• A quick and easy user log‐in for as many users as necessary; • The tracking unit located on the trailer or flatcar and not on the tractor or engine; • Redundancy built into the system to ensure power for the unit and the server; • A review of the operational procedures prior to the campaign starting; • No shipments planned during scheduled system maintenance; • A regularly scheduled users’ group meeting with all necessary stakeholders represented;
orders, tribes have traditionally received advance notification. Because the NWPA requires OCRWM to follow NRC regulations, however, OCRWM would not be permitted to notify tribal governments about NWPA shipments without a change in NRC regulations. To effect such a change, the NRC published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking on December 21, 1999, to solicit stakeholder input on the idea of requiring “licensees to notify Native American Tribes of shipments of certain types of high-level radioactive waste, including spent nuclear fuel, prior to transport to or across the boundary of Tribal lands” (NRC 1999, p. 71331). The rulemaking was proceeding when the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, occurred. The NRC postponed its work on the rulemaking and, as of June 2010, had not resumed its activities. TRACKING OCRWM has committed to using some kind of real-time tracking technology for spent fuel and high-level waste shipments. DOE developed the web-based TRANSCOM system to track its high-visibility non-classified shipments. TRANSCOM could potentially be used to track repository shipments, although updates to the system would be needed. Alternatively, another new or existing technology could be used to track these shipments. The TEC/WG Rail Topic Group’s Tracking Subgroup developed recommendations for tracking and radiation monitoring, which may help OCRWM or its successor evaluate available technologies in the future. According to the DOE Manual, for spent fuel and high-level waste shipments, “near real-time position tracking (i.e. tracking that is updated every 3-5 minutes) and communications for all shipments will be provided by TRANSCOM or a current OCRWM shipment tracking systemwith comparable or enhanced capabilities. The TRANSCOM or current equivalent OCRWM shipment tracking system users’manual will discuss backup procedures to be used in the event of operational problems with the system” (DOE 2008f, p. 34). The TEC/WG Rail Topic Group’s Tracking Subgroup developed a set of recommendations for tracking and radiation monitoring based on input solicited from the states. In drafting these recommendations, the Tracking Subgroup sent the states a questionnaire about their tracking needs and their experiences and satisfaction using the TRANSCOM tracking system. Additionally, at the September 2006 TEC/WG meeting, attendees were given the opportunity to view technology demonstrations on three alternate tracking systems. Participants were then asked to rate and compare these programs – IRRIS, Smart Car, and Tri-State – to the TRANSCOM system. The Tracking Subgroup found that, in 2006, it was premature to decide whether TRANSCOM or another model should be used as the tracking system for repository shipments. The group did, however, identify 10 components that would be necessary for whatever tracking system was ultimately selected: • Access for all states from shipment departure to arrival; • A reasonable refresh rate of shipment status and location (two minutes is preferred);
• Easy access to training and customer support; and • A detailed contingency and back-up plan (ibid.).
Most of the states that responded to the tracking survey believed that TRANSCOM could adequately track repository shipments, provided the system received some upgrades and improvements. One key improvement requested by the states was faster mapping capabilities. States were also asked about the quality of information, timeliness of updates, and training and customer support provided by TRANSCOM. In general, users of the system expressed satisfaction with TRANSCOM. Some technology features that the states would like to see in an OCRWM tracking systemwere weather tracking or alerts, traffic accident notifications, the ability to track individual packages, and additional data layers that would show safe havens, rail sidings, hospital locations, and other route features. There are several operational questions related to tracking that will need to be addressed prior to the commencement of repository shipments. Many shipments are likely to occur utilizing more than one mode of transport. DOE has stated that TRANSCOM is capable of tracking a shipment through an intermodal transfer, but procedures have not been developed or tested. Appropriate tracking protocols need to be developed, in consultation with transportation stakeholders, and adequately tested prior to shipments. The Tracking Subgroup raised the issue of whether it is sufficient to track a train shipment carrying multiple casks of spent fuel, or whether each cask would need to be tracked. This question has not been resolved. Currently, several employees of Argonne National Laboratory are working on developing radio frequency identification (RFID) tags that could be attached to each individual cask and provide real-time monitoring. This technology could presumably be used on shipping casks if OCRWM and stakeholders determine that individual cask monitoring is desirable. For rail shipments, there is also the issue of tracking shipments as they travel on“dark territory,”or sections of track without the proper trajectory for signals. In terms of policies and procedures, a detailed contingency plan needs to be developed for whatever tracking system is chosen. States would like the opportunity to review this plan in advance, and OCRWM would be responsible for keeping the document up to date and ensuring that everyone who needs it has access to it.
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