Remote Avalanche Mitigation Improves Safety
Remote Avalanche Mitigation Improves Safety
Item #: 20250017
Embedded Files
CONTACTS
Implementing Organization: Region Two
Implementation Lead: Steven Clark
Development Team:
Steven Clark - UDOT Avalanche Progam Manager
Rebecka Stromness - UDOT Region 2 Project Manager
Ryan Nuesmeyer - WCG Design Lead
Guy Evans - Lochner Resident Engineer
Matt Risley - Alpine Mountain Contractors
Penna Powers - Public Involvement and Coordination
Article Written By: Quinten Klingonsmith
Innovation Council Liaison: Quinten Klingonsmith
Innovation Team Coordinator: Quinten Klingonsmith
STATUS
Implementation Date: August 31, 2024
Adoption Status: Fully Implemented
Adoptability Note: Would an RACS be a viable solution for avalanche control to protect your roadways?
APPLIES TO
Topic: Safety and Health
Organization(s): Central Maintenance / Facilities Management, Environmental Division, Performance and Asset Management, Planning, Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4, Risk Management, Traffic and Safety, Traffic Management Division
Job Role(s): Construction Engineer, Program Manager, Roadway Operations / IMT
Tags: highway transportation, public transit, infrastructure preservation, labor productivity, employee empowerment, occupational safety, political factors, crashes, injuries, economic benefits, expenses, expenditures, value of life, value of time, automation, ( process improvement ), highway operations, ( traffic operations ), maintenance, traffic safety > highway safety, trucking safety, , avalanche, RACS, remote, ordnance, artillery, environmental quality > pollution > air, noise, public opinion, quality of life, user benefits
PROBLEM
PROBLEM
Little Cottonwood Canyon's steep terrain and heavy snowfall create a high avalanche risk, which can bury roads and threaten lives. While artillery has been used in the past, it's not preferred. Firing explosives over populated areas like Alta carries inherent risks.
CHANGE
CHANGE
In the summer of 2024, UDOT installed 16 Wyssen avalanche control towers. Wyssen towers are a type of Remote Avalanche Control System (RACS) used to mitigate avalanche risks. These towers are strategically placed in avalanche-prone areas and contain a series of explosive charges. When avalanche conditions are deemed dangerous, operators can remotely trigger the release of these charges, initiating small avalanches. This proactive approach helps to prevent larger, more destructive avalanches from occurring naturally.
RESULT
RESULT
UDOT’s Avalanche Control Team can now trigger small control avalanches remotely, without the use of artillery. The use of Wyssen towers minimizes noise pollution and disturbance to wildlife compared to artillery. The towers allow for precise targeting and eliminate the danger of unexploded rounds being left on the mountainside.
UDOT’s new avalanche control method ensures that roads are safe to travel so that skiers can enjoy the best snow on earth.
LINKS
LINKS
Mount Superior, Little Cottonwood Canyon Avalanche Mitigation (UDOT Project Site)
UDOT Testing New Technology for Avalanche Control - KUTV (news article)
Here's how remotely operated explosives help Utah handle avalanche mitigation - ABC4 Utah (news article)
Utah DOT Deploys Remote Control Explosives to Aid Winter Maintenance - Roads and Bridges (article)
Wyssen Avalanche Towers Protect Alta Ski Area (vendor site)
Blue icons indicate the location of the sixteen towers on Mount Superior.
IMPACT
IMPACT
BETTER MOBILITY
BETTER MOBILITY
Avalanche control keeps roads open
GOOD HEALTH
GOOD HEALTH
Avalanche control protects the traveling public from harm
RACS systems avoid firing artillery over populated areas
Remote avalanche control keeps the team out of harm's way
Unexploded ordnance and shrapnel are kept from the environment
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES
Recreators' connection to ski resorts, trails, and the outdoors is maintained
STRONG ECONOMY
STRONG ECONOMY
Safe open roads ensure vital economic activity continues
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