Item: Avalanche Hazard Reduction Using the Avalanche Guard: A Cache and Mortar Technology
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Title: Avalanche Hazard Reduction Using the Avalanche Guard: A Cache and Mortar Technology
Proceedings: Proceedings of the 2004 International Snow Science Workshop, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Authors:
- Robert Rice Jr. [ University of California, Merced ]
- Steve Putnam [ Winter Alpine Engineering Corp, SLC, UT ]
- Ralph Patterson [ Utah Dept of Transportation, SLC, Utah ]
- Rand Decker [ Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ ]
- Jamie Yount [ WY Dept of Transportation, Jackson, WY ]
- Oswald Garber [ Outdoor Engineers, Inc., Golden CO ]
- David Sly [ CIL/Orion Inc, Victoria, BC ]
- Galen Richards [ WY Dept of Transportation, Jackson, WY ]
- Ted Wells [ WY Dept of Transportation, Rock Springs, WY ]
Date: 2004
Abstract: The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) in Jackson, Wyoming installed and successfully operated the Avalanche Guard, an automated, remotely operable, fixed cache and mortar delivery system for avalanche control. The Avalanche Guard is installed on Teton Pass, Wyoming, and was operational during the 2003/04-winter season. This operational trial of the Avalanche Guard was the first successful attempt in North America (excluding Alaska) to install, cache live explosives, and operate remotely, via PC and RF Telemetry, with permitting from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF), and the USDA Forest Service (USFS). Two stationary Avalanche Guards were installed on two separate avalanche paths, each with the capability of caching and delivering 20, 3.0 Kg charges, as well as, providing starting zone coverage of 300 meters. The objective was to demonstrate and evaluate a system that can improve all weather explosive delivery efficiency and cost effectiveness for State DOT avalanche control programs on the winter and alpine roads of the western United States. Experiences from the permitting, installation, and results from winter 2003/04 are presented.
Object ID: issw-2004-688-695.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: avalanche control, avalanche hazard reduction, artificial avalanche release, transportation
Page Number(s): 688-695
Subjects: avalanche control avalanche hazard avalanche release
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