Avalanche radar
The radar device permanently monitors a pre-defined area of the avalanche fracture zone and can thus reliably detect when an avalanche has been set off. In combination with the Wyssen avalanche towers, radar enables successful blasting to be verified. The information about whether an avalanche has been released together with a rough estimation of its size can significantly reduce the residual risk when carrying out avalanche protection work.
Additionally avalanche radar makes it possible to detect spontaneous avalanche activity and in combination with a traffic light switch, it can be used for operating road closures. Moreover the information about spontaneous avalanche activity is very important when estimating local avalanche risk.
- Avalanche radar system description
- Functional Principe
- Avalanche radar installation (Ischgl, Austria)
Functional Principle
Endangered areas are scanned with a so-called “Pulsed Doppler Radar”, which can detect avalanche activity up to a distance of two kilometres.
If the signal exceeds a pre-determined threshold value, an alarm signal is set off. This alarm signal can be given on location (e.g. a warning tone, warning light) and/or it can be sent as a text message or by email.
Avalanche radar can detect speeds from 1 km/h up to 300 km/h. Furthermore the monitoring area can be partitioned into different sectors, the so-called “Range Gates”. This technology permits certain areas to be excluded, should these be the cause of false alarms.
In addition to the alarm signal, the radar data can also be visualised by means of PC software. Its low energy requirements enable the avalanche radar to be powered by solar panels and thus be positioned anywhere in the terrain. The low weight of the radar device enables it to be operated in either stationary or mobile modes.
We would like to point out that radar radiation is completely harmless.
Advantages of Radar
- New innovative radar technology specially developed for detecting avalanches
- Robust and compact design developed for the harsh Alpine climate
- Low energy consumption that enables power to be supplied by solar panels
- Remote maintenance and data transfer using the mobile phone network
- Wide area of applications, since debris flow and rock falls can also be detected
- No time-consuming and cost intensive installation in the avalanche slope necessary
Reference Project Ischgl
The avalanche radar in combination with the Wyssen avalanche towers is in operation for protecting the B188 Silvretta road in Paznauntal (Ischgl, Tirol). For protecting the road, avalanches are artificially released with five avalanche towers. The radar is installed in the valley on the opposite side and monitors the avalanche release zone (distance approx. 1,800m)
Experiences gained from the winter 2011/12 have demonstrated that the radar detects small artificially released avalanches, as well as spontaneous avalanches and thus supplies important information to the avalanche commission.
> Case study radar Ischgl, Austria (see bottom)
