Radar and light against avalanches

Traffic is automatically stopped before the avalanche masses reach Beisfjordveien in Nordland. Cautus Geo established radar monitoring with warning in January 2023. The lighting system is now connected. 

Seven landslides have been recorded in Beisfjord near Bomlia since 2010. As recently as January 2022, the road surface was buried under heavy snow.

Last winter, the avalanche warning system from Cautus Geo was up and running. That's when the radar was put in place. It has registered four avalanches since it was installed. The system has now been supplemented with a lighting system. This means that the client, Nordland County Council, now has a complete system that automatically stops traffic in the event of an avalanche.

- Radar and cameras make travelling safer," says County Councillor Lise Henriette Rånes of Nordland County Council.

Continuous

The avalanche warning system from Cautus Geo ensures continuous monitoring of avalanches with automatic road closures. Similar systems have previously been established in Iceland, Austria, Lom in Gudbrandsdalen and Telemark, as well as other locations. It has been tried and tested for several years.

- It's about saving lives. Snow avalanches set great forces in motion. Our solution safeguards life and health," says CTO Lars Krangnes.

- "We have good results from the test period. Information boards, traffic lights and alerts to the Road Traffic Centre provide greater security," says Rånes.

Lighting systems

Four avalanche incidents were detected last winter. One occurred on the night of 23 March. The landslide masses stopped above the road surface.

- "We have seen that the warning system works well. Avalanches are detected, documented and alerts sent," says Krangnes.

- "A good test period with good documentation. It shows stability and good security," says geologist Sølve Pettersen of Nordland County Council.

The lighting system protects road users throughout the avalanche season, i.e. from 1 November to the end of May.

Without power

The radar is located on the south side of Beisfjorden. There it stands in an area without electricity. From there, it's 2.5 kilometres to the mountain peak where the big landslides are triggered, called Moskochokka at 1,350 metres.

- "We have developed technology for areas without electricity. We combine a solar cell and a generator that charges a battery pack and supplies the plant with electricity throughout the winter," says Krangnes.

Life and health

- We want to safeguard life and health. 950 cars pass Blomlia every day. Almost 700 residents have the road as their only connection. If the road has to be closed, the alternative is boat transport on the fjord when it's not iced over. An additional disadvantage is the lack of a quay," says Pettersen.

Blomlia is most exposed to avalanches that hit the road surface. Avalanches also occur in other places along the fjord. They mainly stop before the county road.

Six avalanches have reached the road since 2011. Four are avalanches.

The landslide area

In January 2022, the largest known avalanche ever hit Blomlia. Large trees snapped like thin matches. A quarter of a kilometre of road was buried under heavy snow.

Other parts of the county road along Beisfjorden are also at risk. There, landslides come from heights of up to 1050 metres. They mainly stop above the forest line. Two landslides in the last 50 years are the exceptions.

- Most recently in January last year at inner Olderneset," says Pettersen.

Climate change

- "Establishing avalanche warning systems with lighting increases safety and reduces long-term road closures," says Pettersen.

More landslides are likely in the years to come.

- "Periods with more precipitation and more intense precipitation can result in more landslides," says Pettersen.

The big January landslide in 2022 took one minute to reach the top of the mountain. Calculations show that snow masses can fall at a speed of 33 metres per second.

The delivery includes:

• Radar system
• Camera system
• Subject support system
• Local power supply
• Necessary infrastructure for the operation of the detection system, such as foundations, masts, fasteners, weather protection and internet connection.
• Interaction with supplier of signalling systems
• Forest clearing for visibility and access
• Shipping and installation
• Down-rigging
• Drift

Radar to warn of landslides to 

• Signalling systems
• Camera system
• Supplier database (Cautus Web)
• TEXT MESSAGE
• E-mail address
• RegObs
• Natural hazard portal