A Noteworthy Practice at River Corridor Project
(360-degree Photographs Technology)

The DOE-VPP onsite review team found a noteworthy practice at the River Corridor Project during week of October 15-19, 2001. High-resolution digital cameras in conjunction with newly developed software techniques now make 360° photo coverage possible. These new systems provide the ability that allows a person to view all around, up and down (i.e., all wall, floor and ceiling surfaces.) The technology strongly supports ALARA principles. The 360-degree photographs are used for tours and work planning at Hanford. This tour process is used to review work in high radiation area and allows ALARA evaluations to be performed before the execution of the work. A virtual tour of any building or room can be used for training; people can see what is there, focus on points of interest and discuss what they would do or how they would respond to present conditions. Planners, operators and maintenance people can make use of the tour to plan work and decide ahead of time, while looking at the areas of interest, what and how they will perform the tasks they need to perform.