Risk-informed based comprehensive path-planning method for radioactive materials road transportation

The optimization of transportation routes of radioactive materials (RADMAT) is recognized as one of the most important measures to reduce the radioactive risks and costs during transportation. However, the route optimization indicators have not been fully considered and quantified in current researches. Here, we propose a Risk-Informed based Comprehensive Path-Planning method (RICPP) for RADMAT Road Transportation (RMRT) route optimization by considering radiological risk cost, time cost, and economical cost. Among which, the ET/FT based Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) model is established to quantitatively assess the accident occurrence probability, and then the PEHR (personnel, environment, hazard target, and rescue force) comprehensive severity indexes considering vulnerability and resilience are established and quantified to characterize the accident radiological consequence. Finally, the gray relation analysis (GRA) model is employed to select an optimal path considering the multi-objective route planning indicators. The case study results show that the obtained path could reasonably reduce risks and costs during the transportation process, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method. The proposed RICPP methodology is beneficial for selecting a safer and more economical mute for radioactive materials road transportation.

Automated summary

This study proposes a Risk-Informed based Comprehensive Path-Planning method (RICPP) for optimizing the road transportation routes of radioactive materials. By considering radiological risk cost, time cost, and economical cost, the method quantitatively assesses the accident occurrence probability and radiological consequences, and selects an optimal path that can reasonably reduce risks and costs during transportation.