Glossary of Transportation/Packaging Terms

A₁:

The maximum activity of special form radioactive material [see radioactive material definition] permitted in a Type A package [ see Type A package definition]. This value is listed in Table A-1 of 10CFR71 and 49CFR173.431-435. (49CFR173.403)

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A₂:

The maximum activity of radioactive material, other than special form radioactive material [see radioactive material definition], permitted in a Type A package [see Type A package definition]. This value is listed in Table A-1 of 10CFR71 and 49CFR173.431-435. (49CFR173.403)

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Absorbed dose (D):

Energy absorbed by matter from ionizing radiation [see ionizing radiation definition] per unit mass of irradiated material at the place of interest in that material. The absorbed dose is expressed in units of rad [see rad definition] (or gray) (1 rad = 0.01 gray). (DOE. Radiological Control Manual. DOE/EH-0256T, Rev. 1. April 1994.)

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Accident:

A deviation from normal operations or activities associated with a hazard which has the potential to result in an emergency [see emergency definition]. (DOE Order 5500.1B)

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Accident Response Group (ARG):

A group of technical and scientific experts composed of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and DOE contractor personnel assigned responsibility for providing DOE assistance to a peacetime accident [see accident definition] and significant incidents [see significant incidents definition] involving nuclear weapons anywhere in the world. (DOE Order 5500.1B)

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Acute effect:

Symptom of exposure to a hazardous material [see hazardous material definition]; normally the result of a short-term exposure which comes quickly to a crisis. (40CFR370)

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Acute exposure:

A single, brief exposure to a toxic substance. (40CFR370)

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Advance notification:

The process whereby a specified party is notified in advance of a shipment. For spent nuclear fuel [see spent nuclear fuel definition] or high-level radioactive waste [see high-level radioactive waste definition], that party is the governor of the state of entry or his/her designee. (10CFR71.97) There are no Nuclear Regulatory Commission provisions to notify Indian tribes of Nuclear Waste Policy Act shipments.

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Affected persons:

Individuals who have been exposed and/or injured as a result of an accident (see definition, this page) involving any type of hazardous material [see hazardous material definition], to a degree requiring special attention (i.e., decontamination [ see decontamination definition], first aid, or medical service). (DOE. TRADE Glossary and Acronyms of Emergency Management Terms. ORAU 91/K-37. November 1991.)

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Affected unit of local government:

The unit of local government with jurisdiction over the site of a repository or a monitored retrievable storage facility [see repository and monitored retrievable storage facility definitions]. Such term may, at the discretion of the Secretary [of Energy], include units of local government that are contiguous with such unit. (The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982)

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Agency:

Any organization that acts in the place of a government and by its authority (e.g., The Federal Emergency Management Agency) is an agency of the federal government. (DOE Order 5500.1B)

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Agreement state:

A state that has entered into an agreement under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, in which Nuclear Regulatory Commission has relinquished to such states the majority of its regulatory authority over source material [ see source material definition], by-product [ see by-product definition], and special nuclear material [see special nuclear material definition] in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass. (Atomic Energy Act of 1954, Title 42)

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Alert:

An emergency class [see emergency class definition] within the Operational and Energy categories of emergency. Within the Operational Emergency category, an Alert represents events in progress or having occurred which involve an actual or potential substantial reduction of the level of facility safety and protection. Any environmental releases of hazardous materials [see hazardous materials definition] are expected to be limited to small fractions of the appropriate Protection Action Guideline (PAG) or Emergency Response Planning Guideline (ERPG) onsite. During an Energy Emergency, an Alert represents an event which has occurred or is in progress that is noteworthy; the potential impacts are not expected to be serious; and a negligible long-term supply impact is anticipated. (DOE Order 5500.1B)

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Alpha:

Radiation emitted from radionuclides [see radionuclides definition] that travel short distances in air before being absorbed. Alpha particles are easily shielded with materials such as paper. (FEMA- Rep-5, 1992)

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Alpha particle:

A positively charged particle emitted by certain radioactive materials [ see radioactive materials definition]. It is made up of two neutrons [see neutrons definition] and two protons [see protons definition] bound together and, hence, is identical to the nucleus of a helium atom. It has low-penetrating power and short range. The most energetic alpha particle will generally fail to penetrate the skin. (Health Physics and Radiological Health Handbook. Nuclear Lectern Associates, 1984.)

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Annual limit on intake (ALI):

The derived limit for the amount of radioactive material taken into the body of an adult worker by inhalation or ingestion in a year. ALI is the smaller value of intake of a given radionuclide [see radionuclide definition] in a year by the reference man (International Commission Radiological Protections Publication 23) that would result in a committed effective dose equivalent [see dose equivalent definition] of 5 rems [see definition, page 36] (0.05 sievert) or a committed dose equivalent of 50 rems (0.5 sievert) to any individual organ or tissue. (DOE. Radiological Control Manual. DOE/EH-0256T, Rev. 1. April 1994.)

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As low as is reasonably achievable (ALARA):

Means keeping radiation exposure as low as is reasonably achievable, taking into account the state of technology, the economics of improvements in relation to the benefits to public health and safety, other societal and socioeconomic considerations, and the utilization of atomic energy in the public interest. (10CFR72.3)

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Assessment:

See consequence assessment.

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Assessment actions:

Those actions taken during or immediately after an incident [ see incident definition] or emergency [see emergency definition] to gather and process the information necessary to make decisions and to implement specific emergency measures. (DOE. TRADE Glossary and Acronyms of Emergency Management Terms. ORAU 91/K-37. November 1991.)

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Association of American Railroads (AAR):

An organization advocating the interests of railroads in the public policy arena. The AAR works to enhance the productivity of the railroad industry through research and development, and other support programs. The organization facilitates a seamless intermodal interchange by electronically exchanging information among railroads, their customers, and their suppliers. Although AAR's most visible activity is representation of its members before Congress, regulatory agencies, and the courts, most of AAR's employees and budget are focused on operations, maintenance, safety, theoretical and applied research, economics, finance, accounting, communications, electronic data exchange, and public affairs. (Association of American Railroads)

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Barge:

A non-self-propelled vessel. (49CFR171.8)

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Beta particle:

A charged particle emitted from a nucleus during radioactive decay [ see radioactive decay definition], having a single electrical charge and a mass equal to 1/1837 that of a proton [ see proton definition]. A negatively charged beta particle is identical to an electron [see electron definition]. A positively charged beta particle is called a positron. Large amounts of beta radiation may cause skin burns, and beta emitters are harmful if they enter the body. Beta particles are easily stopped by a thin sheet of metal or plastic. (Health Physics and Radiological Health Handbook. Nuclear Lectern Associates, 1984.)

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Boiling water reactor:

A light-water reactor in which water, used as both coolant and moderator, is allowed to boil in the core. The resulting steam can be used directly to drive a turbine. (Energy Information Administration, DOE. Spent Nuclear Fuel Discharges from U.S. Reactors 1991. SR/CNEAF/93.01. February 1993.)

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Burnup:

The reduced reactivity of spent fuel that occurs from the net depletion of fissile [see fissile definition] nuclides [ see nuclides definition] and the net increase in fission and activation product neutron [see neutron definition] absorbers (poisons) is considered. (Sandia National Laboratories. Overview of Burnup Credit Issues. SAND91-2841C, 1992.)

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By-product material:

Any radioactive material (except special nuclear material) yielded in or made radioactive by exposure to the radiation incident to the process of producing or utilizing special nuclear material. (10CFR50.2)

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Campaign:

The activities required to prepare for and execute a consecutive set of shipments from a single origin over a fixed period of time. (Transportation System Requirements Document. DOE/RW-0425.)

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Canister:

The metal receptacle surrounding the waste form that facilitates handling, storage, transportation, and/or disposal. (Transportation System Requirements Document. DOE/RW-0425.)

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Carrier:

A person engaged in the transportation of passengers or property by land or water as a common, contract, or private carrier, or by civil aircraft. (10CFR71.4)

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Cask:

A container for shipping or storing radioactive material of greater than A₁ or A₂ [see A₁ and A₂ definitions] quantities. (Transportation System Requirements Document. DOE/RW-0425.)

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Cask Maintenance Facility (CMF):

A facility to provide for the servicing, testing, maintenance, repair, modification, storage, and configuration control of transportation cask [ see cask definition] system elements. (Transportation System Requirements Document, DOE/RW-0425.)

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Category of emergency:

One of the three types of emergencies [see definition, page 12]:

Operational, Energy, and Continuity of Government (COG). The purpose of these groupings is to further divide emergencies by the cause of the occurrence. (DOE Order 5500.1B)

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Certificate of Compliance (CoC):

A certificate approving for use, with identified limitations, a specific packaging for quantities of radioactive materials exceeding A₁ and A₂ [see A₁ and A₂ definitions] quantities as defined in 10CFR71 and 49CFR173. A CoC may be issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Department of Transportation, or the Department of Energy. (DOE Order 1540.3 Section 4.a) (Transportation System Requirements Document. DOE/RW-0425.)

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Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTREC):

A clearinghouse maintained by the chemical industry for information and assistance on hazardous materials [see hazardous materials definition] characteristics. When the material has radioactive properties, the Center activates the Department of Energy regional coordinating office having jurisdiction. (DOE Order 1540.1A)

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Chronic effect:

Effect of exposure to a hazardous material [see hazardous material definition] that develops slowly after many exposures or that recurs often. (DOE. TRADE Glossary and Acronyms of Emergency Management Terms. ORAU 91/K-37. November 1991.)

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Chronic exposure:

Repeated exposure or contact with a toxic substance over a long period of time. (40CFR370)

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Civilian nuclear activity:

Any atomic energy activity other than an atomic energy defense activity. (Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982)

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Civilian Radioactive Waste Management System (CRWMS):

The composite of sites, facilities, systems, equipment, materials, information, activities, and personnel required to perform those activities necessary to manage spent nuclear fuel [see spent nuclear fuel definition] and high-level radioactive waste disposal. (Transportation System Requirements Document. DOE/RW-0425.)

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Commercial motor vehicle:

Any self-propelled or towed vehicle used on public highways in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property where the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating 10,001 or more pounds; or the vehicle is designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver; or the vehicle is used in the transportation of hazardous materials [see hazardous materials definition] in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations issued by the Secretary [of Transportation] under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. (49CFR390.5)

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Common carrier:

The most accepted characteristics:

availability of service to anyone seeking a transportation movement, publication of rates, provision of the service on schedule, service to designated points or a designated area, and service of a given class of movement and commodity. (Cavinato, J. L. Transportation-Logistics Dictionary. 1982.)

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Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) program:

Program developed by the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA) to assist chemical plant managers in taking the initiative in cooperating with local communities to develop integrated (community/industry) plans for responding to releases of hazardous materials [see hazardous materials definition]. (DOE. TRADE Glossary and Acronyms of Emergency Management Terms. ORAU 91/K-37. November 1991.)

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Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA):

This act (Public Law 96-510) is legislation passed in 1980 which created the first comprehensive federal law to respond to releases of hazardous substances in the environment. CERCLA is commonly referred to as Superfund. It was substantially amended in 1986 by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). (DOE. TRADE Glossary and Acronyms of Emergency Management Terms. ORAU 91/K-37. November 1991.)

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Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Information System (CERCLIS):

The Environmental Protection Agency's comprehensive data base and management system that inventories and tracks releases addressed or needing to be addressed by the Superfund program. (DOE. TRADE Glossary and Acronyms of Emergency Management Terms. ORAU 91/K-37. November 1991.)

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Condition:

Any as-found state, whether or not resulting from an event, which may have adverse safety, health, quality assurance, security, operational, or environmental implications. (DOE Order 5500.1B)

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Conduct of operations:

Quality and uniformity of operations at Department of Energy (DOE) facilities (and under DOE Order 5500.1B, transportation activities are included in the definition of a facility) managed through a consistent and auditable set of requirements, standards, and responsibilities consistent with DOE order 5480.19. (DOE Order 5480.19)

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Conduct of the exercise:

Control and evaluation of an exercise [see definition, page 14] in a manner which will safely, fairly, and accurately allow participants to demonstrate the adequacy of their response capabilities. (DOE. Workshop on Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Onsite Operational Emergency Response Exercises. May 1991.)

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Consequence:

The result or effect (especially projected doses [see doses definition] or dose rates) of a release of radioactive or hazardous materials [see radioactive and hazardous materials definitions] to the environment. (DOE Order 5500.1B)

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Consequence assessment:

The evaluation and interpretation of radiological or other hazardous materials [see hazardous materials definition] measurements and other information to provide a basis for decision making. (DOE Order 5500.1B)

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Consolidation:

The process whereby fuel rods are removed from an assembly and placed into a container in which a minimum of space is left unoccupied by the rods. (Energy Information Administration, DOE. Spent Nuclear Fuel Discharges from U.S. Reactors 1991. SR/CNEAF/93.01. February 1993.)

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Contact-handled:

Waste containers that can be handled without shielding. (DOE/EM-0013P.)

Contact-handled transuranic waste:

Packaged transuranic waste whose external surface does rate does not exceed 200 millirem [see millirem definition] per hour. (DOE 5820.2A)

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Container:

Any portable device in which a material is stored, transported, treated, disposed of, or otherwise handled. (40CFR260.10)

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Containment:

1. A protective action that prevents an adversary force from escaping from and/or removing a Department of Energy (DOE) safeguards and security interest from DOE or DOE contractor control. A protection strategy of the same name.

2. An enclosure designed to retain fission products accidentally released from a reactor core (e.g., containment structure for a nuclear power plant or production reactor).

3. Barriers or other physical confinements of airborne or liquid material released or which could be released into the environment. (DOE. TRADE Glossary and Acronyms of Emergency Management Terms. ORAU 91/K-37. November 1991.)

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Containment system:

The components of the packaging intended to retain the radioactive material during transport. (10CFR71.4)

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Contamination:

A hazardous substance dispersed in materials or places where it is undesirable. (DOE. TRADE Glossary and Acronyms of Emergency Management Terms. ORAU 91/K-37. November 1991.)

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Contingency Planning Zone (CPZ):

Provides precautionary emergency planning for prompt and effective actions beyond the emergency planning zone. ((DOE. TRADE Glossary and Acronyms of Emergency Management Terms. ORAU 91/K-37. November 1991.)

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Contract carrier:

A carrier, whatever mode, that provides service according to contractual agreement. The contract specifies charges to be applied, the character of the service, and the time of performance. There are no specified rates under regulation, but the charges applied must be made public. (Cavinato, J. L. Transportation-Logistics Dictionary. 1982.)

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Contractor:

A non-federal party to a Department of Energy contract, engaging in activities or operations involving hazards which could potentially affect the health and safety of employees or the public or the quality of the environment. (DOE Order 5500.1B)

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Control cell:

In an exercise, participants responsible for providing simulated telephone responses for non-participating organizations or individuals; the control cell also documents player actions and makes post-exercise corrective action recommendations, in addition to providing post-exercise critiques. (DOE. Workshop on Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Onsite Operational Emergency Response Exercises. May 1991.)

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Controlled copy:

A document that is maintained on a current basis by means of a formal transmittal and filing system. (DOE. TRADE Glossary and Acronyms of Emergency Management Terms. ORAU 91/K-37. November 1991.)

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Controller:

A trained individual responsible for controlling aspects of a drill [ see drill definition] or exercise [see exercise definition] by distributing information (messages, indications, or data) to players. Controllers are also responsible for ensuring players adhere to established safety precautions and limitations. (DOE. DOE Guidelines for Emergency Response Drills and Exercises. Draft. June 1991.)

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Conveyance:

Any vehicle, aircraft, vessel, freight container, or hold, compartment, or defined deck area of an inland waterway craft or seagoing vessel. (10CFR71.4) For transport by public highway or rail, any transport vehicle or large freight container; by vessel, any vessel, or any hold, compartment, or defined deck area of a vessel; and by aircraft, any aircraft. (49CFR173.403)

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