Press release
Stewart
Monday, November 1st, 2021 10:00 a.m.
(flickr.com)
A new automatic avalanche detection system at Ningunsaw Pass is ready for the avalanche season, improving the reliability of Highway 37 between Terrace and Dease Lake, and keeping people in the area safe.
“British Columbia’s highways run through some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in the world and are threatened by avalanches in numerous places,” said Nathan Cullen, Stikine MLA, on behalf of Rob Fleming, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure. “Closures can cause significant inconvenience and delays for the traveling public and commercial trucking industry. Our investments in automated avalanche detection systems and remote avalanche control systems improve the reliability of highways, which has a direct and positive effect on people and the provincial economy. “
Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure employees who work in the avalanche and weather programs are responsible for ensuring that drivers and workers can rely on the province’s safe transport system in winter. Automated avalanche detection systems include radar, high resolution cameras, and communication devices that enable avalanche technicians to monitor avalanche activity in real time. This data, combined with extensive local knowledge, ensures that motorways are closed when they are needed and opened when they are safe.
The automatic avalanche detection system at Ningunsaw Pass is the second site in the province to use this technology. The first location on Bear Pass between Stewart and Meziadin Junction has been active since 2019 and has cut road closures on this section of Highway 37A by almost 40%.
British Columbia has one of the most challenging avalanche management areas in the world. The ministry’s avalanche program oversees more than 60 avalanche areas with active avalanche paths that can potentially affect provincial roads in almost 1,400 locations.
During the avalanche season, people have to expect some motorway closures, either due to high avalanche danger or to enable avalanche control. Drivers should change their travel plans as needed and visit DriveBC.ca and @DriveBC on Twitter for the most up-to-date travel information for highways.
Fast facts:
- The automatic avalanche detection system helps the avalanche experts at BC to continuously monitor avalanche activity day and night in any weather from their mobile device.
- The technology sends real-time avalanche notifications, data and images to mobile devices so that the avalanche team can effectively manage the avalanche risk through timely preventive barriers and targeted avalanche control.
- Informed by the automatic avalanche detection system, avalanche teams use traditional avalanche control measures to reduce the risk of natural avalanches, including the use of helicopter charges, avalanche catchment areas and barriers.
https://news.gov.bc.ca/25613
Comments are closed.