Item: Selection Criteria for Snow Avalanche Mitigation Measures Considering Other Potential Geohazards: Examples From Colorado and Canadian Highways
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Title: Selection Criteria for Snow Avalanche Mitigation Measures Considering Other Potential Geohazards: Examples From Colorado and Canadian Highways
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2016 Proceedings, Breckenridge, CO, USA
Authors:
- Dave Gauthier [ BGC Engineering, Golden, CO, USA ]
- Alex Strouth [ BGC Engineering, Golden, CO, USA ]
- Mark Vessely [ Shannon Wilson, Denver, CO, USA ]
Date: 2016-10-02
Abstract: While unique in many ways, snow avalanches are one of many potential geohazards which threaten transportation and energy corridors, mine sites, etc., across the mountainous regions of the world. However, snow avalanche assessment and mitigation design often occur without consideration for other geohazards that often exist in the same location, and vice versa. Overlapping geohazards may include debris flow, icefall, rock avalanche, and landslides. Along Colorado highways there are many snow avalanche paths which overlap other recognized geohazards, and a similar proportion is recognized in Canada. In fact, recent structural mitigation efforts in both countries have encountered this issue. In this paper we analyze the scenarios in which different geohazards overlap with snow avalanche in time and space along Colorado and Canadian highways, and present a preliminary set of criteria for decision-support in selecting snow avalanche risk mitigation measures, with consideration for other potential geohazards and mitigation options that can either benefit or adversely affect other hazards. We cite examples from Colorado and Canadian highways where mitigation selection would benefit from this sort of decision-support, and lay the groundwork for establishing the value of multi-geohazard mitigation considering risk reduction and different capital/maintenance costs.
Object ID: ISSW16_O19.01.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: Mitigation, geohazard, risk
Page Number(s): 429-434
Subjects: avalanche mitigation avalanche risk geohazard
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