International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings - Montana State University Library

Item: The Valalanche project: putting recent progress in snow avalanche mapping into practice

• • Title: The Valalanche project: putting recent progress in snow avalanche mapping into practice

    Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2018, Innsbruck, Austria

    Authors:

    • Martin Proksch  [ geoformer igp AG, Brig, Valais, Switzerland ]
    • Bernhard Dräyer  [ In-Terra, Sierre, Valais, Switzerland ]
    • Damian Steffen  [ geoformer igp AG, Brig, Valais, Switzerland ]
    • Ivan PaÅ¡ić  [ In-Terra, Sierre, Valais, Switzerland ]
    • André Burkard  [ geoformer igp AG, Brig, Valais, Switzerland ]
    • Norbert Carlen  [ Dienststelle für Wald, Flussbau und Landschaft DWFL, Brig-Glis, Valais, Switzerland ]

    Date: 2018-10-07

    Abstract: Avalanche mitigation as well as decision making depends on the knowledge of historical avalanche records. However, the accurate mapping of avalanches as well as the mapping of the respective release zones remains a crucial, yet often overlooked task. The Valalanche project aims to facilitate a high-quality avalanche mapping by the means of novel technologies. The structure of the project is threefold: (i) a smartphone application for the rapid documentation of avalanches in the terrain. (ii) Fixed-wing and copter-style drones, for the mapping of avalanche deposits and the surveying of release zones. (iii) A web-GIS platform for automated processing, visualization and analysis of the data in 2D and 3D. The basic idea is to reduce the technical expert knowledge often required in the application of novel technologies to a minimum by a specifically tailored software architecture and IT solution. First data collected in Goms and Mattertal region in canton Valais, Switzerland during the winter 2017/18 showed the feasibility of the project. Distances, heights and volumes for deposition zones and release areas were quantified with sufficient accuracy. Further applications include the surveying of glide snow activity and the monitoring of blasting results. Feedback received from the regional warning service and governmental responsibilities were highly positive, proving the added value of this concept for decision making and planning instances.

    Object ID: ISSW2018_O09.3.pdf

    Language of Article: English

    Presenter(s):

    Keywords: Avalanche mapping, digital documentation systems, operational tools, IT solutions, remote sensing, UAV, smartphone.

    Page Number(s): 826-829

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