Chair: Øystein LARSEN, Member of PIARC TC 3.2, Norway

During extreme winter events, standard response plans may no longer be valid. These events can have significant consequences for society. In many countries, there are roads in areas with extreme conditions such as mountain passes requiring convoys, roads in open areas exposed to snow drift and roads vulnerable to avalanches. However, extreme weather conditions can also happen anywhere; examples include heavy snowfall, freezing rain, extreme cold, fast changing weather conditions, fast increasing temperature and melting snow that can cause landslides or flooding. In this session the effect of avalanches on transportation are analysed. Stabilization and controlling of avalanches is one major part in securing traffic safety during extreme winter conditions.