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DOE OSTI · 3020577

Smart Planning for Radioactive Source Transport Advanced Tools for Increased Safety and Efficiency

Khadka, Rajiv [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000322518751)·Yang, Xingyue [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000248127436)·Kenney, Kevin L. [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000209867378)·Koudelka, John A. [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000320701376)
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Abstract

End-of-life (EOL) management of high-activity radioactive sources is made uniquely challenging by the inherent risks associated with storage and transportation of these sources, the complex logistics involved, and the strict requirements for regulatory compliance. Traditional methods lack comprehensive tools for accurate site assessments and precision planning for the transportation of radioactive sources. They also frequently fail to provide the adaptability required to consider diverse operational environments, resulting in inefficiencies and potential safety concerns. This paper introduces a novel software solution developed to address these issues by integrating advanced technologies such as light detection and ranging (LiDAR)-based 3D environment modeling, smart dynamic route planning, and customizable measurement functionalities. This software enables detailed terrain visualizations, facilitating thorough environmental assessments and enabling users to virtually navigate, analyze, and plan site-specific operations. Among the key features are a user-centric interface for virtual navigation, precise site measurement tools for site evaluations, interactive visualizations that highlight potential operational hazards, dynamic route planning capabilities, and real-time collision detection to promote safe workflows. By demonstrating the effectiveness of this tool through real-world application, the present work underscores the tool’s potential to revolutionize radioactive source EOL management by improving operational efficiencies, minimizing risk, and advancing the state of practice to achieve suitable and secure radioactive material handling.

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Khadka, Rajiv [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000322518751), Yang, Xingyue [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000248127436), Kenney, Kevin L. [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000209867378), Koudelka, John A. [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000320701376). 2026-02-02. Smart Planning for Radioactive Source Transport Advanced Tools for Increased Safety and Efficiency. https://doi.org/10.1097/hp.0000000000002042

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