Monitoring and tracking of fixed and mobile radioactive sources

This paper proposes a monitoring and tracking system that can be applied to fixed and mobile radioactive sources. For fixed radioactive sources, this system will detect and notify the operator when a source is removed from its store or fixed location. For mobile sources (devices), the operator will be notified when the source is removed from its store, located and tracked in the operator's vehicle and when it is removed from the vehicle. Each source will be monitored 24 hours a day either by a control room and / or by messages to the mobile phone of nominated personnel. The removal of fixed or mobile sources during silent hours (when the premises are closed) could be configured to initiate additional notifications to police / security enforcement agencies enabling them to begin immediate recovery operations. The potential safety risks, the public concern caused by the theft from premises or vehicles and the reputational and financial costs associated costs for the Authorities to locate and recover the source are significantly reduced by this system. (author)