Transportation study

For the construction of Visaginas Nuclear Power Plant (VNPP), it is necessary to plan and ensure a consistent flow of heavyweight (from 500 up to 1200 tons) and bulky cargo (length – over 20 metres, height and width – from 4 to 9 metres) as well as the flow of other deliveries to the VNPP construction site during the entire construction period of the new nuclear power plant, i.e. approximately 5 years. With this aim, the project of preparing the Feasibility Study on the transportation of heavyweight and bulky cargo was initiated in January 2008 (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Process of preparation of the Transportation Study

Route

The preliminary start-up point of the transportation route – the seaport, and the final point – two alternative sites for the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant.

• The first eligible site has been projected from Unit 2 east of Ignalina NPP. This is a territory with an area of approx. 0.493 km2, in the proximity of which there is a temporary storage facility of spent nuclear fuel from Units 1 and 2;
• The second eligible site has been projected west of the existing 330/110/10kV Ignalina transformer substation. Presently this is an undeveloped territory with an area of approx. 0.424 km².

Both sites are approx. 500 km from the nearest seaport, and, depending on the specific routes, some 50 bridges and viaducts have to be crossed when travelling on existing roads. During the construction of Ignalina NPP, the railway infrastructure was adequately developed, therefore it is reasonable today to evaluate and analyse this method of transportation with regard to the transport of nuclear technology. Moreover, it is also necessary to evaluate available inland water routes in order to examine their possibilities as well as advantages and disadvantages.

The Transportation Feasibility Study will be conducted in two stages (Figure 1):

1. Examination of the Transportation Route (or routes) for heavyweight and bulky cargo..
   The main objectives of the examination:
   • To identify the transportation route ( or routes) for critical heavyweight and bulky cargo;
   • To define a permanent route (or routes) for the delivery flows of other cargo which will last for approximately 5 years, and, where possible, to use to the maximum extent the existing transportation infrastructure without interruption of normal traffic flow.
   During the examination of the transportation route (routes) for the VNPP heavyweight and bulky cargo, it is recommended to follow, but not be limited to, the following phases:
   1. Revision and approval of the parameters of critical and other cargo (reactor, electric equipment and construction modules);
   2. Drawing of all possible routes of the transportation infrastructure (motorway networks, railway networks, inland water transport networks, seaports, options for using multiple transportation methods); The analysis of existing transportation routes (motorway networks, railway networks, inland water transport networks, seaport): existing and prospective plans, logistical schemes, prospective routes, technical data, conducted studies on transportation infrastructure, etc.);
   3. Setting the system of evaluation criteria for transportation routes;
   4. Evaluation of set transportation routes according to a defined system of evaluation criteria (network of inland motorways, railway networks, inland water transport networks, seaports, multiple forms of transport);
   5. Preparation of technical transportation schemes and evaluation reports.

   We project that after completing these phases, all objectives raised for the examination of the transportation route (or routes) of heavyweight and bulky cargo, as well as other deliveries, will be accomplished along with the finalised report defining the transportation routes for critical and other cargo. Additionally, the report will contain the following relevant information: a description of wharfs and docks at Klaipėda State Seaport, an assessment of cargo shipment possibilities to Klaipėda State Seaport and their unloading at the seaport, a description of suitable means of transport for the delivery of heavyweight and bulky cargo and the identification of potential obstacles and restraints on the transportation route (routes). Finally, during the examination of the route (routes), the intended routes will have to be revised and approved by the respective transport and communications authorities.

2. Technical and Economic Assessment of the Defined Route (Routes).
   The main objectives of the assessment:
   • To thoroughly assess and describe existing transportation infrastructure (the networks of motorways, railways, inland water transport, and the seaport), because this will be an integral part of the technical specification for selecting suppliers of the VNPP technology. Based on the completed assessment, the potential suppliers of the technology will be able to evaluate different options for the delivery of heavyweight and bulky cargo to the VNPP construction site;
   • To compile a list of projects to be initiated with the aim to improve the existing transportation infrastructure by planning to rebuild necessary sections of the transportation infrastructure or new construction of routes necessary for transport.
   During the technical and economic assessment of the transportation routes of the VNPP critical cargo and other deliveries, it is recommended to follow, but not be limited to, the following phases:
   1. Technical analysis of critical areas in the examined and pre-selected routes by working out planning, design and construction options;
   2. Cost estimates for the reconstruction of necessary sections of the transportation infrastructure or new construction of routes necessary for transport.
   3. Preparation of the Feasibility Study Report.

   We project that after completing these phases, all objectives raised for the technical and economic assessment of the transportation routes of the VNPP critical cargo and other deliveries will be accomplished, along with the finalised report on the Transportation Feasibility Study. This will provide the following relevant information: an analysis of the legal framework of the transportation system and analysis of organisational measures to be used in the process of cargo transportation. Moreover, the Transportation Feasibility Study will have to be revised and approved by the representatives from the respective authorities managing the transport systems.