Ensuring DOE can Safely Transport Nuclear Materials Within its Site Boundaries

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Transportation of radioactive materials between DOE’s defense nuclear facilities occurs frequently to support its national security and environmental cleanup missions.


Improving Safety of Onsite Transportation between Defense Nuclear Facilities

Our Work

Radioactive materials are frequently transported between defense nuclear facilities within a site. The DNFSB found that Los Alamos National Laboratory—where the transportation routes are close to the site boundary—did not adequately identify, analyze, and control hazards, increasing the risk of radiological exposure to the public. The Board identified that the weaknesses at Los Alamos National Laboratory were due to issues with DOE’s oversight and onsite transportation directives, and issued Recommendation 2023-1, Onsite Transportation Safety, to address these issues.

Our Safety Impact

DOE accepted DNFSB Recommendation 2023-1 and implemented compensatory safety measures at Los Alamos National Laboratory such as restricting traffic during some shipments. DOE also evaluated other DOE sites for similar issues and identified improvements to relevant DOE directives.




Nuclear materials being transported at Los Alamos National Laboratory (left); Steep cliffs adjacent to a roadway at Los Alamos National Laboratory (right).
Pictured: Nuclear materials being transported at Los Alamos National Laboratory (left); steep cliffs adjacent to a roadway at Los Alamos National Laboratory (right).

 

Last Updated: March 23, 2026