A Methodology for Comparing and Evaluating Electronic Continuous Tracking, Monitoring, and Locating Technologies for Mobile Radioactive Sources in Transport

Numerous electronic tracking, monitoring and locating technologies are available commercially, but only a few may be appropriate for use in the transport of mobile radioactive sources. If applied effectively to radioactive source shipments, such technologies could add an extra layer of security during the most vulnerable phase when materials are being shipped from one location to another. Given the dynamic nature of tracking, monitoring and locating technologies, users need more systematic methods to comparatively analyze these technologies in the selection of an optimal one for a given application. This paper provides a methodology to help users, developers, and decision makers compare and evaluate electronic continuous tracking, monitoring and locating technologies for mobile radioactive source transport. The methodology proposes 21 general criteria defined and organized into the following seven categories: (1) communications; (2) adaptable physical attributes; (3) operational attributes; (4) flexibility; (5) system performance; (6) durability and longevity; and (7) practicality. Ultimately, the optimal technology for any given application must be further derived from user defined requirements, and this methodology provides a general framework to inform a given technology’s limitations and advantages.