Reduce O&M Costs Using Vehicle Search Mobile Application - MTA-SY-001

Administrative Items
Date	12/14/2021
Functional Area Where Benefits Will Be Realized	Security Operations
Reference Implementation Guidance	2020 NEI TIP Awards – Submittal 99 (ID: 13311079); Nuclear Security Vehicle Search Application Implementation Guideline for Wireless Networks and Wireless Equipment Condition Monitoring (EPRI 1019186)
Industry SME	EPRI – Chris Wiegand Contact: NuclearPlantMod@epri.com
Previous Implementation	Please contact EPRI for implementation examples and contacts.
Implementation Enablers	MTA-MA-003 – Implement a Wireless Network Infrastructure Using a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) MTA-MA-004 – Implement a Wireless Network Infrastructure Using Wi‑Fi
SWEEP Score	Cost – Implementation of a security mobile application suite could range widely. Implementation cost is significantly increased if developing the application in-house. Savings – Level 1 - Savings achieved through the reduction of demurrage costs and improved O&M efficiencies are expected to be less than $1 million per year on a per site basis. Additional savings can be achieved if scaled fleet‑wide. Payback – Payback period may range widely depending on the cost of the software. Licensing Readiness – Level 3 – This technology has already been implemented at nuclear power plants and does not require industry regulatory changes. Technology Readiness – Level 3 – The technology is already in use at some commercial nuclear sites and is transferrable across nuclear facilities. Implementation Proficiency – Level 3 – VSA does not require special proficiency in implementing digital technologies. If the application is developed in-house, software and coding expertise would be needed. Additionally, the station will need access to mobile devices and personnel will need to be comfortable using those devices.
Applicability	All reactor types All geographic regions
Keywords	Security; Vehicle Processing; Delivery; Mobile Application
Business Case Analysis Cross-Reference	N/A

Description

Security personnel at nuclear plants are required to process vehicles for entry into the Protected Area (PA) and monitor movement of vehicles within the PA. This process typically uses cumbersome paperwork, which is inefficient, and can be slow to inform security personnel of vehicle status and movement. Using a Vehicle Search Application (VSA) on a mobile device digitizes the processing (including the search and sealing processes), removing the need for paperwork and streamlining the communication regarding vehicle status to security personnel.

The VSA interfaces with an application for the delivery drivers. A driver can use the application to register as a delivery driver for the site, further streamlining the vehicle search and processing. Also, a driver can use the application to update delivery times, which are displayed on a dashboard, allowing various plant departments to track deliveries and security to ensure personnel are available to search the vehicle when it arrives.

A secondary mobile application part of the VSA workflow can be used by qualified personnel when sealing containers off‑site prior to delivery. The electronic manifest combined with approved images streamlines processing upon arrival at the site, and reduces the likelihood of rejecting a vehicle due to improper seals on the container.

Streamlining vehicle processing with a VSA allows for potential cost avoidance on expenses associated with demurrage charges, which accumulate as the delivery driver waits to off‑load a delivery after arrival. The application cuts down on overall O&M costs and human error, and contributes to improving site security.

Benefits

Benefits Estimate

Level 1 – Savings are expected to be less than $1 million per year per site. These savings can be extrapolated across an entire utilities fleet and depend on each site’s layout for processing vehicles.

Benefits Description

• Reduction of O&M costs related to searching and processing deliveries (demurrage fees) and managing security resources.
• Improved monitoring of vehicle movement inside the PA by improved communication to security personnel of vehicle status and movement.
• Improved speed of processing vehicles and deliveries while reducing human performance errors by using the mobile application.
• Reduced probability of rejecting a vehicle due to improper seals on the container.
• Improved vehicle processing efficiency by allowing delivery drivers to share and update their delivery schedules with the plant.

Costs and Schedule

Cost

Implementation costs range widely. This is dependent on the utility’s situation, current infrastructure and workflow, and if the utility chooses to purchase the application or develop it themselves. Larger fleets gain cost efficiency since the same software can be used at multiple plants.

Schedule

Typical implementation time ranges widely. This is dependent on the utility’s situation, current infrastructure and workflow, and if the utility chooses to purchase the application or develop it themselves.

Scope Context

Per site

Risks

Usage of mobile equipment with this application by plant security staff requires compliance with plant cybersecurity practices. The seals application requires an off‑site inspection by qualified personnel with a manifest and accompanying photographs, mitigating the risk of false information on the condition of sealed items when they arrive at the site. Following the cybersecurity guidance in the available reference implementation guidance (see above) will further mitigate cybersecurity risks.