Comparison Of Modal Options For Transporting Low-Level Radioactive Waste To The Nevada Test Site

The Nevada Test Site (NTS) is a major receiver of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-owned low-level radioactive waste (LLW) for disposal. Currently, all LLW received at NTS is shipped by truck. Most of the LLW is shipped in trucks that use highway routes that pass through the Las Vegas Valley and over Hoover Dam, which is a concern of local stakeholder groups in the State of Nevada. The truck transport mode is used because NTS and some DOE LLW generator sites are not served with direct rail service. Consequently, DOE decided to explore intermodal transport as an option to reduce highway transport of LLW through Las Vegas and over Hoover Dam. Intermodal transport involves transport via two modes, in this case truck and rail, from the generator sites to NTS. LLW shipping containers would be transferred between trucks and railcars at intermodal transfer points near the LLW generator sites, NTS, or both. This paper evaluates two intermodal alternatives along with an historical truck scenario and an all-truck scenario that avoids Las Vegas and Hoover Dam to transport LLW from generator sites to NTS. Life-cycle (70 year) risks to the public and workers and life-cycle cost impacts are estimated.