Fiber Optic Network Used for Early Detection of Avalanches

Item #: 20240017

CONTACTS

Implementing Organization: Traffic Management Division
Champion: Blaine Leonard
Implementation Lead: Lynne Yocom
Development Team: UDOT: Blaine Leonard, Chuck Felice, Lynne Yocom
OptaSense: Andrew Hall

Article Written By: Winston Inoway
Innovation Council Liaison: Matthew Smith
Innovation Team Coordinator: Winston Inoway

STATUS

Implementation Date: April 1, 2023
Adoption Status: Fully Implemented
Adoptability Note: What other areas could this technology be used to detect avalanches?

APPLIES TO

Topic: Data Collection, Analysis and Visualization
Organization(s): Asset Management, Central Maintenance / Facilities Management, Communication, Emergency Management, Fiber Optics
Job Role(s): Roadway Operations / IMT
Tags: highway transportation, infrastructure preservation, labor productivity, occupational safety, crashes, injuries, economic benefits, expenses, expenditures, value of life, value of time, , tracking systems, data visualization, data science, highway operations, traffic operations, maintenance, vehicle safety, user benefits

PROBLEM

UDOT Maintenance crews often learn about an avalanche impacting the road only when travelers arrive on site. Earlier notification of an avalanche event and location of a slide would expedite a road clearing response.

CHANGE

UDOT can detect vehicle crashes on roads by the vibrations detected in fiber optic networks. The technology to detect these vibrations is known as Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS). The Traffic Management Division is using the fiber optic cable in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons to detect avalanches (and other incidents) impacting the main canyon roads. The DAS system can also be used to detect breaks in the fiber optic cable.

RESULT

Sensors and automated notifications of avalanche activity helps the UDOT Traffic Operations Center and Maintenance crews receive early warning of road impacts. Earlier situational awareness of conditions helps crews manage demands and improve safety for canyon travelers.