Block C - Contracting - Organization of Avalanche Control Service - Reference Projects. Samuel Wyssen

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1 Block C - Contracting - Organization of Avalanche Control Service - Reference Projects Samuel Wyssen

2 Contracting wyssen risk solutions We take care of avalanche problems.

3 Contracting wyssen risk solutions Service Modules: 1. avalanche control concept (planning, consulting) 2. deliver and install necessary equipment 3. service & maintenance 4. operation of equipment 5. operation of avalanche control team 6. financing of investments

4 Contracting wyssen risk solutions Your advantages: less closures = smaller economical losses no extra organisation no investment acceptable residual risk

5 Organization of Avalanche Control Service A) Avalanche Safety Concept (organisation) B) Avalanche Control Concept (procedures)

6 Organization of Avalanche Control Service A) Avalanche Safety Concept (organisation) - assesement of risk situation - comparison of possible mitigation measures - calculation of cost effectiveness - calculate residual risk

7 Organization of Avalanche Control Service B) Avalanche Control Concept (procedures) - procedures - staff - communication - protocol

Requirements for avalanche control using artificial releasing Needs and requirements for the

experience of staff high quality data, autom.

level of operational reliability high level of releasing/success ratio large effective range fast

8 Requirements for avalanche control using artificial releasing Needs and requirements for the avalanche control team: optimal safety concept optimal prodedures & communication education & experience of staff high quality data, autom. weather stations backing of authorities & politics Requirements for the releasing system: high level of operational reliability high level of releasing/success ratio large effective range fast & weather independent interaction safe and easy handling simple installation small impact in nature small investment & running costs fast acting customer service

9 Content Block A Introduction Avalanche Control in the Alps Block B Theory on Avalanche Release & Risk Control Avalanche Detection Block C Contracting & Organization of Avalanche control Teams Reference Projects

10 Content 1. Gonda Avalanche, Switzerland 2. Zermatt Valley 3. Ischgl, Austria 4. Other places

11 Case Study Gonda Avalanche Engadin 8 Wyssen Avalanche Towers Main road protection between Austria upper Engadin for state road + railway Arlberg Innsbruck AUSTRIA SWITZERLAND St. Moritz

12 Gonda Avalanche/Case Study Piz Chapisun, 2930 m walking trail Lavin, 1390 m cross country track road railway Information from: Jörg Kindschi, Ftan, Switzerland

13 Gonda Avalanche/Case Study February 2nd, 1970 Information from: Jörg Kindschi, Ftan, Switzerland

14 Gonda Avalanche/Case Study 1975: 12 cm Mortar Information from: Jörg Kindschi, Ftan, Switzerland

15 Gonda Avalanche/Case Study February 2nd, 1999 Information from: Jörg Kindschi, Ftan, Switzerland

16 Gonda Avalanche/Case Study Developement of releasing concept Until 1999: Mortar at new snow > ca 70 cm in valley 2000/01: Mortar at fresh snow > 50 cm 2001/03: Avalanche Tower at fresh snow > 30 cm in valley, 50 cm at appr m After Feb. 03: Avalanche Tower at small amounts fresh snow and snow drift at max. 50 cm of new snow accumulation Information from: Jörg Kindschi, Ftan, Switzerland

17 Gonda Avalanche/Case Study Releasing statistics Winter Tower A ** Tower B ** Tower C Re- Re- Re- Positive Positive leasing leasing leasing Positive 2001/ / * / Total Success ratio brutto 73% 76% 87% Success ratio corr. 87% 88% 87% * incl. 2 duds **Tower A and B have been released 2 times after C has cleared the whole area before Information from: Jörg Kindschi, Ftan, Switzerland

18 Gonda Avalanche/Case Study Overall Costs Comparison Type of measure Inv.-Costs [Mio CHF/year] Closures days/winter Residual Risk [fataliies/y] Total Costs [Mio CHF / year] Gallery cm Mortar Avalanche Towers & mortar 8 Avalanche Towers & detection system Information from: Jörg Kindschi, Ftan, Switzerland

19 Gonda Avalanche/Case Study Improvement 2009: Wyssen, ARFANG, IMIS F D C B A E G H Lavin, 1390 m Information from: Jörg Kindschi, Ftan, Switzerland

20 Procedures Content: General information about the area Objecitves for the avalanche control work Concept of procedures Safety procedures Releasing concept Documentation

21 Content 1. Gonda Avalanche, Switzerland 2. Zermatt Valley 3. Ischgl, Austria 4. Other places

22 Avalanche Control Mattervalley - Zermatt Bruno Jelk Chief of avalanche control organization Zermatt Chief of rescue organization Zermatt Board member of IKAR - Int. comm. for mountain emergency medicine Board member of REGA - Swiss rescue organization

Zermatt 116 hotels 35 cable cars 25 000 beds up to

23 Zermatt 116 hotels 35 cable cars beds up to guests per day 1.3 Mil. overnight stays per year

24 Matterhorn Gotthard Railway Visp-Täsch, every hour a train in both directions Täsch-Zermatt, every 15 minutes a train in both directions Every Saturday big depature and arriving of guests A lot of special trains

25 Road to the valley of Zermatt Second connection to the valley of Zermatt Visp - Täsch in high season thousends of cars arriving in Täsch Täsch Zermatt, about 600 taxis and cars every day bringing guests to Zermatt On Saturdays big change of guests arriving and departing

27 Avalanche

28 Avalanches

31 Organisation Mattertal Summer and Winter

32 The avalanche commission obliged the Kantonal department STAAT WALLIS Department of highways, construction and environment Department of forest, landscapes and natural hazard

33 32 Avalanche paths Mattertal

34 Automated facilities 4 IMIS stations Triftchumme, Gornergrat, Schwarzsee, Stelligletscher 3 Weather stations Kl.Matterhorn, Zermatt, Testa-Grigia Wind indicator on most pylons of the mountain cable ways

Observations start at the first snowfall and we get active after following critical incident Winds and new snow over 20-30 cm

35 Observations start at the first snowfall and we get active after following critical incident Winds and new snow over cm Temperature increase at a rapid pace Special conditions; like avalanche occurrence indicated by the avalanche warning facilities

Action for assessment Weather at the moment and forecast Check up of the info box Wind, directions, intensity Total height of snow Total new snow amount Temperature: Air, surface, layers

36 Action for assessment Weather at the moment and forecast Check up of the info box Wind, directions, intensity Total height of snow Total new snow amount Temperature: Air, surface, layers National and regional avalanche bulletin Satellite images Radar images Terrain, avalanche paths and drainage basin Own decision Assessment with the professional accountable Decision making

37 Protocols All decisions are in a consultative capacity Assessment protocol Deciding-log of the Kantons road Deciding-log of the train Deciding-log of the local municipal Blasting protocol

38 All decision data needs to be filed Info box data, satellite images, weather forecast On emergency meetings all actions is documented Decisions are made by avalanche professionals, action committee or crisis staff

39 Procedure for blasting Info to: Road foreman for the Kantons road Train foreman for the Matterhorn Gotthardtrain To the district council for the community roads, walking trails, doorways and for possible evacuation Information service Mattertal

40 Additional actions Closure of the road Täsch - Zermatt Closure of the road and train Herbriggen - Täsch for blasting in Randa Posting of 2 safety guards on both sides of the danger zone as observers In Randa fireman crew Fly over the endangered zone Blasting at the moment by helicopter (except Randa, Schoph - and Mettelzug) In Vorname Randa Name and Täsch with the Wyssen towers

41 Avalanche blasting

42 Avalanche blasting with Wyssen Avalanche Towers

43 Mettelzug

44 Mettelzug run out zone

45 Schopfzug

46 Schopfzug run out zones

Regional problems with automatic blasting range by daytime The train needs to be stopped The road Täsch - Zermatt needs to be closed (if not closed already)

48 Regional problems with automatic blasting range by daytime The train needs to be stopped The road Täsch - Zermatt needs to be closed (if not closed already) The area needs to be checked by air (Helicopter flight) or on terrestrial way (from Täsch with snowmobile to the tunnel Täschwang) Safety guards need to be posted

49 Proceedings by blasting Blasting per new snow loading and amount of new snow Appr. by cm new snow Demand time period by train personal Call for blasting specialist Call out for safety personal

50 Blasting Train foreman confirms the blasting The road is closed In the night, the danger zone will have Supralux lights to control the area The blasting will be carried out

51 After the blasting Blasting foreman confirms the blasting Train foreman dismisses the train closure Road foreman dismisses the road closure The safety team will be conscripted Vorname Blasting Name will be recorded

55 Content 1. Gonda Avalanche, Switzerland 2. Zermatt Valley 3. Ischgl, Austria 4. Other places

56 Overview Ischgl, Austria State road B188 Community road Cross country track Winter hiking trail > 5000 cars/d Galtür, Mathon

57 History-Problems The Austrian State Road B188 is located in the avalanche exposed Paznaun Valley Several sections of the road have to be closed regularly The road is the main transport link in the valley, especially for winter tourism 1994 avalanche reached the open road

58 History-Solutions Possible solutions: 1.) Installation of snow bridges -> too expensive due to wide open area -> big impact on environment and landscape 2.) Construction of snow shed -> too expensive -> would only protect the state road 3.) Heli Bombing -> good experiences, but weather dependent 4.) Wyssen Avalanche Towers -> economical and ecological alternative, build 2011

59 Grosstal Avalanche

60 Grosstal-Avalanche

61 Grosstal Avalanche

62 Hoher Zug Avalanche

63 Avalanche Radar

64 Conclusions Good experiences No road closure since installation of towers Avalanche radar delivers important information about artificially released and spontaneous avalanche activity Further projects planned in the valley and in Austria

65 Content 1. Gonda Avalanche, Switzerland 2. Zermatt Valley 3. Ischgl, Austria 4. Other places

66 Kaunertal, Austria 1 Tower for road protection, installed in 2012

67 Illwerke, Austria For hydro power plant construction work Google Earth

68 Railways Jungraujoch & Wengen 3 Avalanche Towers

69 Road and Railway Sedrun 3 Avalanche Towers 1 Avalanche Radar

70 Content Block A Introduction Avalanche Control in the Alps Block B Theory on Avalanche Release & Risk Control Avalanche Detection Block C Contracting & Organization of Avalanche control Teams Reference Projects

71 Thank you Questions? Samuel Wyssen

Avalanche Agencies in the Tyrol

Avalanche Agencies in the Tyrol Prevention in highly frequented public Spaces 38 Victims Galtür/Valzur 1999 Harald Riedl und Walter Wuertl, Zivil- und Katastrophenschutz, Lawinenkommissionen Land Tirol