49 CFR § 173.441 & § 173.403 RADIOLOGICAL DOSE LIMITS

Transport Index (TI) & Radiation Survey Manual

Standard operating procedures for calibrated pre-trip radiological surveys: determine package Transport Index (TI), 200 mrem/hr surface limits, 10 mrem/hr at 2 meters, and driver cab dose ceilings.

01 Calibrated Survey Meter Measurements

02 49 CFR § 173.441 Survey Compliance Result

Transport Index (TI) Rating
TI = 3.4 (Yellow-III Label)
Radioactive Yellow-III
Package External Surface Status
65 mrem/hr (COMPLIANT < 200)
Limit: 200 mrem/hr
Dose at 2M Perimeter & Cab
2.1 mrem/hr (PASS) | Cab: 0.4
Limits: 10 & 2 mrem/hr
Pre-Trip Electronic Survey Verification
SURVEY CERTIFIED — RELEASE AUTHORIZED
Exspeedite TMS logs survey meter serial number, calibration date, and driver dosimeter badge ID.
Governed by 49 CFR § 173.441 (Radiation level limitations and exclusive use requirements) and 49 CFR § 173.403 (Definitions).
01

Transport Index (TI) Definition

Under 49 CFR § 173.403, the Transport Index (TI) is a single dimensionless number equal to the maximum radiation level in millirem per hour at 1 meter (3.3 feet) from the package surface. TI determines package labeling and vehicle accumulation limits.

02

The 200 / 10 / 2 Rule

For exclusive use highway shipments: dose rates cannot exceed 200 mrem/hr at any point on the external surface of the vehicle, 10 mrem/hr at 2 meters from outer lateral surfaces, and 2.0 mrem/hr in any normally occupied cab position.

03

Calibrated Instrumentation

Radiation surveys are legally invalid if performed with uncalibrated equipment. DOT regulations require annual NIST-traceable calibration of all Geiger-Mueller and ion chamber instruments used to release Class 7 transport vehicles.

Automate Pre-Trip Radiation Surveys & Driver Dose Logs in Exspeedite TMS

Capture calibrated meter readings directly in the driver mobile app, calculate Transport Index dynamically, generate compliant shipping paper placards, and maintain tamper-proof DOT audit logs.