About

START is a web-based, geospatial information and decision-support tool developed by the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy's Office of Integrated Waste Management (IWM), for the purpose of evaluating transportation infrastructure, routing considerations, and performing analyses associated with the Department's transportation of radioactive materials. START is designated for official use only (OUO) and is available for use by federal, State, Tribal, or local government staff for government purposes, and for DOE-authorized activities.

START enables a user to represent a range of operating scenarios and performance objectives, with an emphasis on providing flexibility. The START platform uses geographic information system (GIS) data and spatial analysis capability, representing rail, truck, barge, and intermodal infrastructure and operations in the continental U.S. The user can assess origin and destination facility locations, proximity to transportation networks, modal options, near-route emergency response assets, risk considerations, and view infrastructure conditions via satellite base maps and uploaded geo-tagged imagery. Outputs include performance measures and maps, which can be printed or exported to other software tools for further analysis.

DOE uses START to do the following:

• evaluate potential transport routes and estimated travel times based on selection criteria
• determine where emergency response personnel are located along shipping corridors, identify spatial gaps in response coverage, and support efficient deployment of DOE training resources
• characterize near-site mode and route infrastructure in proximity to shipment origins
• inform transportation and throughput logistics considerations associated with integrated waste management system studies
• build stakeholder awareness of routing and decision-making considerations.

Assembly Version: 3.3.0.60