Near-field radiation doses from transported spent nuclear fuel

Redundant inspections and resulting high near-field population doses from shipment of spent nuclear fuel may result in unnecessarily high occupational risk. Near-field doses to individuals who come in close proximity to spent fuel casks was therefore calculated using two different approaches: RADTRAN and PATHRAE. Albedo contribution to the dose was also considered. The RADTRAN approximations are sufficiently conservative to encompass the results of the more detailed model of PATHRAE. The only significant albedo contribution was from ground scattering.