The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has granted full certification to the new Atlas Railcar, allowing it to operate along all major U.S. freight rail networks. Designed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), this high-tech railcar is intended for the transfer of nuclear fuel. spent nuclear fuel and spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste and high-level radioactive waste, consolidating the highest safety standard required by the AAR for the handling of highly radioactive material.
Atlas Railcar features
The Atlas railcar, a technological innovation on rails, has 12 axles and is equipped with advanced sensors and monitoring systems. Built to handle the heaviest shipments, it can carry up to 480,000 pounds of spent nuclear fuel.
This project, which took a decade to complete and cost about $33 million, also includes two buffer cars and a rail escort vehicle, developed in collaboration with the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. These railcars, which recently passed rigorous testing with a 1,680 km run between Pueblo, Colorado, and Scoville, Idaho, are the first to meet the stringent requirements of the AAR Standard S-2043.
The Atlas railcar was built to transport heavy shipments of spent nuclear fuel. Source: U.S. Department of Energy
Future of nuclear transport
According to Paul Murray, deputy assistant secretary for Spent Fuel and High-Level Waste Disposal, Atlas’ certification represents crucial progress in the development of infrastructure necessary for the safe management of nuclear waste in the country. This is part of DOE’s broader vision to establish an integrated waste management system. waste management that encompasses transportation, storage, and permanent disposal.
In addition, efforts are underway to build a second railcar, the Fortis, which will handle lighter loads and is scheduled to begin testing in 2025. The Department is also moving forward with a consolidated interim storage facility project, which will require legislative changes for full implementation.
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Source and photo: energy.gov
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