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Item: Artificial Avalanche Release as a Protection Measure for Major Roads: The Case Study of Road S.S. 21 “Colle della Maddalena” (CN, Western Italian Alps)

    • Title: Artificial Avalanche Release as a Protection Measure for Major Roads: The Case Study of Road S.S. 21 “Colle della Maddalena” (CN, Western Italian Alps)

      Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Grenoble – Chamonix Mont-Blanc - October 07-11, 2013

      Authors:

      • Marco Vagliasindi  [ Studio Geologico Associato “Baltea”, Via Menabrea 43, 11024 Chatillon (AO), Italy ]
      • Alex Theodule  [ Studio Geologico Associato “Baltea”, Via Menabrea 43, 11024 Chatillon (AO), Italy ]
      • Margherita Maggioni  [ Avalanche expert, 11020 Donnas (AO), Italy ]
      • Elena Levera  [ Geologist, 11020 Pontboset (AO), Italy ]

      Date: 2013-10-07

      Abstract: The application of artificial release plans to roads safety management is a very promising prospect. Compared to structural measures, this method usually implies lower costs and is more flexible, in particular where long sections of roads need to be protected. On the other side, the need to manage road traffic – e.g. to close roads in advance in order to avoid traffic jam and problems – implies a very deep knowledge of local avalanche sites and snow conditions, a careful definition of procedures and a skilled application. This work describes the different activities performed to produce the PIDAV for the road S.S. 21 “Colle della Maddalena” in the Western Italian Alps, as well as the encountered problems and possible solutions. The road S.S. 21 “Colle della Maddalena” is a major highway in the Cuneo Province (Italy), mainly used for road haulage between Italy and France. A large section of the road (above 30 km) is exposed to avalanche risk, and the highway is therefore frequently closed to traffic for long lasting periods in winter time, thus involving problems for road carriage and traffic. An artificial avalanche release plan (PIDAV) has been designed in order to avoid this problem, funded by the Cuneo Province in the frame of the ALCOTRA RISKNAT project. The plan has been designed coupling a detailed analysis of avalanches sites, release conditions and avalanche effects, also involving numerical modeling, and a careful analysis of possible release methods, traffic managements and safety procedures, thus achieving a functional and easy-to-apply solution.

      Object ID: ISSW13_paper_P1-61.pdf

      Language of Article: English and French

      Presenter(s): Unknown

      Keywords: pidav, avalanche interaction with roads, artificial release

      Page Number(s): 875-882

      Subjects: artificial avalanche artificial release avalanche protection

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