Item: Real-Time Avalanche Detection with Long-Range, Wide-Angle Radars for Road Safety in Zermatt, Switzerland
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Title: Real-Time Avalanche Detection with Long-Range, Wide-Angle Radars for Road Safety in Zermatt, Switzerland
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2016 Proceedings, Breckenridge, CO, USA
Authors:
- Lorenz Meier [ Geopraevent Ltd., Zurich, Switzerland ]
- Mylène F. Jacquemart [ Geopraevent Ltd., Zurich, Switzerland ]
- Bernhard Blattmann [ Geopraevent Ltd., Zurich, Switzerland ]
- Bernhard Arnold [ Municipality of Zermatt, Zermatt, Switzerland ]
Date: 2016-10-02
Abstract: Two notorious avalanche gullies threaten the only access road to Zermatt, Switzerland. Avalanches are released artificially by helicopter blasting whenever conditions permit, and a system of trigger lines has offered additional protection for the last 30 years. In December 2015 we replaced the trigger line system with a state-of-the-art radar-based detection system. Located on the opposite side of the valley, two Doppler radars detect avalanches in the gullies within an area of about two square kilometers at a distance of up to 2,000 m. The data from the Doppler radars is analyzed in real-time. As soon as an avalanche is detected, five stoplights immediately turn red and four barriers are lowered to block access to the sections of the road at risk. Local authorities are alerted by voice and text messages and can instantly verify the location of the avalanche and the distance it traveled on a password protected website. They can also access three webcams that offer live images of the threatened road sections to see if they are covered by avalanche debris. If the road is clear, traffic lights and barriers can be reset from any computer or mobile device, reducing the time needed to reopen the road to just a few minutes. Between December 2015 and April 2016, the system detected 27 avalanches without any false alarms.
Object ID: ISSW16_O14.01.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: avalanche alarm system, road safety, radar, avalanche detection
Page Number(s): 304-308
Subjects: avalanche alarm systems avalanche detection safe road site
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