Item: The Avaluator – A Canadian Rule-Based Avalanche Decision Support Tool for Amateur Recreationists
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Title: The Avaluator – A Canadian Rule-Based Avalanche Decision Support Tool for Amateur Recreationists
Proceedings: Proceedings of the 2006 International Snow Science Workshop, Telluride, Colorado
Authors:
- Pascal Haegeli [ Avisualanche Consulting, Vancouver BC ]
- Ian McCammon [ Snowpit Technologies, Salt Lake City, UT ]
- Bruce Jamieson [ University of Calgary, Calgary AB ]
- Clair Israelson [ Canadian Avalanche Association, Revelstoke BC ]
- Grant Statham [ Parks Canada, Banff AB ]
Date: 2006
Abstract: An exceptionally high number of avalanche fatalities during the winter of 2003 forced the Canadian avalanche community to question the effectiveness of existing public avalanche safety programs in Canada. In response to the recommendations of several avalanche safety reviews, the Canadian Avalanche Association launched the ADFAR (Avalanche Decision Framework for Amateur Recreationists) Project for the development of a practical, science-based decision framework for amateur recreationists when planning for, or traveling in avalanche terrain. The goal of the project was to reduce recreational avalanche fatalities by improving risk communication and risk awareness among the fast growing number of winter backcountry enthusiasts in Canada. The Avaluator is a new rule-based decision support tool for amateur recreationists, including backcountry skiers and snowboarders, snowmobile riders and out-of-bounds skiers and snowboarders. A key part of the Avaluator is a pocket card that assists with planning backcountry trips and facilitates field decisions. The paper provides an overview of the ADFAR project, describes the usage of the Avaluator and discusses the underlying design principles.
Object ID: issw-2006-254-263.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: avalanche education, risk management, decision-making, decision support tool
Page Number(s): 254-263
Subjects: avalanche education risk management decision-making
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