Item: AUTOMOTIVE LIDARS UTILIZED TO PROVIDE REAL TIME SNOW DEPTH MAPPING FOR AVALANCHE FORECASTING AND DECISION-MAKING IN SKI RESORTS
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Title: AUTOMOTIVE LIDARS UTILIZED TO PROVIDE REAL TIME SNOW DEPTH MAPPING FOR AVALANCHE FORECASTING AND DECISION-MAKING IN SKI RESORTS
Proceedings: Proceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Whistler, BC, Canada, 2026
Authors:
- Alexander Prokop [ University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria ] [ Snow Scan GmbH, Vienna, Austria ]
- Stefan Muckenhuber [ FH-Joanneum , Kapfenberg, Austria ]
- Thomas Gölles [ University of Graz, Graz, Austria ]
- Stefan Wallner [ FH-Joanneum , Kapfenberg, Austria ]
- Birgit Schlager [ Virtual Vehicle Research GmbH, Graz, Austria ]
- Stefan Graf [ Snow Scan GmbH, Vienna, Austria ]
- Florian Singer [ Snow Scan GmbH, Vienna, Austria ]
Date: 2026-09-28
Abstract: LiDARs are used for snow depth mapping for all scales, from satellites, airplanes, drones, mobile vehicles, and terrestrial based since about 20 years now. The technology provides high resolution and accurate spatial measurements of snow surfaces. Further, snow depth maps are created via differential maps calculated from a snow on and off surface (or snow surfaces at different stages of evolution). In this project we utilize low-cost automotive LiDARs to provide real time snow depth maps that are used for avalanche forecasting and decision-making. At our avalanche test site at Lech am Arlberg, Austria, we installed 4 Livox Avia LiDARs, each monitoring a range of about 150 m to cover an avalanche prone slope that is loaded by snow drift events that form a significant cornice at the ridge. Avalanche events happen both, naturally and triggered by explosives. We tested our measurement set-up against a commonly used laser scanner (Riegl VZ6000) and a continuous 1-d laser (Lufft SHM31), which has not been done before and determined the accuracy of our set-up. Most work was invested in providing a reliable solution in terms of a self-sufficient power supply and solid installation as well as straightforward post processing including filtering of air particles and web data display, which we discuss. The advantage of such permanent installations is the possibility of measuring the snow pack evolution in high time frequency. Any time a reliable spatial snow depth measurement covering an area of 600 m (four LiDARs in action) in a point resolution of 10 cm can be conducted. At our avalanche prone slope we were able to follow the accumulation of snow due to snowdrift and/or snow precipitation as well as melting and mass movement of avalanche events in a spatial content. The results we show and discuss provide a useful improvement for avalanche forecasting and decision-making compared to the commonly used 1-d snow depth sensors as e.g. spatial dimension of snow drifts can be detected and the use of explosives can be initiated or a ski run can be closed.
Object ID: ISSW2026_P2.44.pdf
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15788/1790099010
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Alexander Prokop
Keywords: LiDAR, laser scanning, snow depth, snow accumulation, low-cost
Page Number(s): 1558 - 1561
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