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Automated Avalanche Detection System (AADS)

Author(s): Steele

Poster Presentation:

2C-Steele

Abstract:

Background:

The District of Stewart, home to Canada's most northern ice-free port - an essential trade route for Northern United States and Canada - is situated at the end of Bear Pass, a 62km stretch of Highway 37A connecting British Columbia to Alaska. Bear Pass is subject to very frequent avalanche activity, with snow avalanches during the winter and natural icefall events occurring year-round. Approximately 72 avalanche paths affect the highway from both sides and at all elevation bands. Due to increased traffic and reliance on Bear Pass, long closures and traffic delays have significantly negative impacts on international trade and the movement of people and goods.

Aims:

PBX was engaged by the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) to design and oversee the implementation of an Automated Avalanche Detector System (AADS) to improve avalanche forecasting, decrease closures and event response times, and to enhance safety along the corridor.

Methods:

PBX undertook extensive research into technology options. This is a highly unique application with very few precedents, requiring the integration of complex devices, equipment, and software. Several technology candidates were reviewed and assessed. Through an in-depth jurisdictional review of current successful Avalanche Detection Systems across the world, combined with our own extensive experience in sensor-based automated detection systems, PBX determined that the optimal technology for the AADS was a radar-based system.

Results:

The AADS project was to implement a technology proof-of-concept project on Highway 37A to improve the operational effectiveness of the Avalanche Program. The system provides automated, timely, and accurate information on avalanche event metrics that are invaluable in supporting safer and more efficient avalanche operations. The availability of timely and accurate avalanche information contributes directly to significant regional benefits, including decreased event response times and road closure durations, as well as increased safety through more accurate event forecasting and risk assessment.

Discussion:

Due to the remoteness of the sites, communications infrastructure – such as cellular service or wired communications – was not available prior to construction to facilitate the export of data from the detection sites. All three sites posed significant design and construction challenges as a result of steep high altitude mountain terrain and severely inclement weather. Site access for crews and materials during the construction of all sites was only possible via helicopter during suitable weather conditions.

Conclusions:

The AADS employs unique Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies to detect the presence of avalanches on targeted slopes and advise the Avalanche Program of the events. Additionally, considerable event data is logged to help improve forecasting accuracy. The AADS has been highly successful and is now an integral part of the Avalanche Program’s tools. The AADS includes a software system that integrates field sensors, provides administrative and operational configuration tools, and supports a web based GIS map GUI for event visualization and tracking. Planning for expansion of the AADS to additional sites is currently underway.