Transportation Operations/Contacts

TMO Operations provides transportation services to the ORNL community through responsible management of transportation activities. TMO ensures that both the on-site and off-site packaging and transportation activities are performed in an efficient and compliant manner in regard to DOE Orders; ORNL site directives; and federal, state, and local regulations. TMO is the focal point for packaging and shipping of nonhazardous, hazardous, radioactive, and waste materials that are Department of Transportation (DOT) regulated. The system also controls and performs classified shipments, packaging procurements, on-site transfers, transportation safety compliance, and DOT training activities.

TMO's primary responsibilities are: compliance with all DOT regulations to ensure safety for employees, the public and the environment; to achieve a high level of operational efficiency; and to cost effectively manage resources to maintain budget constraints while meeting staff needs and expectations. The performance of these services is measured by budget assessments, customer satisfaction surveys, and compliance reviews against compliance targets and requirements.

The majority of TMO resources are expended on ensuring regulatory compliance. It is our goal that every hazardous material shipment is made according to the applicable laws that govern the packaging and transport of hazardous materials. There are several organizations with regulations that impact hazardous materials transport, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Depending on the mode of transport, additional regulations may be enforced by organizations such as the International Air Transport Association, the International Civil Aviation Organization, or the International Maritime Organization.

All the regulations are established to ensure that hazardous materials are transported in a manner which is safe for people and the environment. All the regulations focus on the same three primary ideas for ensuring safety:

• Contain the hazardous material,
• Communicate the hazards associated with the material, and
• Control the method and manner of transport.