How is nuclear waste now transported - by train, truck or barge?

Answer 1

All three modes of transportation are utilized. The stuff is usually headed for the dump at Hanford, Washington, which is approved for hazardous waste.

Large shipments of nuclear waste, such as spent fuel rods for nuclear reactors, are most often transported by rail. Shielding for such shipments requires a lot of lead which is quite heavy, making rail travel the only real choice.

Of course people are always concerned with a train derailment or a terrorist threat to such shipments. These train movements are well protected, including armed military personnel in coaches ahead of and behind the load, a maintenance of way high-rail car preceding the train, and personnel to inspect bridges and other structures before the train passes over.

The real danger is your average every day freight train rumbling through your town. Each carries some very nasty stuff as well as highly flammable and explosive bulk commodities. These are unprotected and just waiting for an incident to arise to scatter them all over the place. And you know what? No one seems to care, but for the railroaders and the unions who represent them, all of whom have tried to bring this situation to light. It has fallen on deaf ears in D.C.

Answer 2

all three, here in the UK if possibly by train, has the best safety record

Answer 3

All three in the US.