crossings; • single versus double track territory; • frequency and location of track turnouts; • proximity to iconic targets; • environmentally sensitive or significant areas; • population density along the route; • venues along the route (stations, events, places of congregation); • emergency response capability along the route; • areas of high consequence along the route; including high consequence targets as defined by 49 CFR 172.820(c); • presence of passenger traffic along the route (shared track);
• speed of train operations; • proximity to en-route storage or repair facilities; • known threats, including any non-public threat scenarios provided by the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Transportation for carrier use in the development of the route assessment; • measures in place to address apparent safety and security risks; • availability of practicable alternative routes; • past incidents; • overall times in transit; • training and skill level of crews; and • impact on rail network traffic and congestion.
the proposing state and the shipper should consult with the affected state(s) prior to selection of the alternative route. The Midwestern Radioactive Materials Transportation Committee is an appropriate forum for addressing any interstate disagreements. Proposed changes to selected routes should be presented to all potentially affected states in a timely manner for their review and consideration. If the shipper consults with the U.S. Federal Railroad Association (FRA) regarding potential rail routes, the shipper should also seek the input of representatives of the state rail safety programs in the potential corridor states (see Appendix C). All highway shipments should be treated as HRCQ shipments as a matter of policy. Additionally, DOT regulations require motor carriers to use only preferred routes that minimize time in transit (49 CFR 397.101). (See Appendix C for information on state routing contacts.) As requested, CSG Midwest will assist states that seek to designate preferred routes. There are applications available to assist in the identification of routes. For federal, State, Tribal, or local government staff for government purposes, and for DOE-authorized activities, there is the Stakeholder Tool for Assessing Radioactive Transportation (START). START is a web-based, geographic information system (GIS) tool developed by the DOE Office of Integrated Waste Management to visualize and analyze data related to possible shipments of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. START users can explore options for rail, truck, barge, and intermodal shipping routes and make adjustments based on various criteria. For example, users can determine routes that minimize time in transit, minimize population exposure, or avoid entire population centers or important locations. Additionally, users can view dozens of data layers showing the locations of fire departments, hospitals, Tribal lands, airports, etc. For more
For shipping campaigns involving spent nuclear fuel, high- level radioactive waste, or transuranic waste, the shipper should present proposed route or routes to the states for their consideration at least one year prior to the first shipment. 3 If a state proposes an alternative route that would change the proposed route through one or more other states, both 3 For shipments conducted under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA), the states must know the anticipated routes five years prior to the start of shipments, consistent with the DOE’s 2008 proposed policy for implementing Section 180(c) of the NWPA.”
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