Landslide hazard and risk assessment, and management and mitigation for the Scottish road network

A series of rainfall-induced debris flow events in August 2004 intersected the Scottish strategic road network and at Glen Ogle 57 people were airlifted to safety. While there were no major injuries the social and economic impacts were severe, in particular the severance of access to and from relatively remote communities. The need to acknowledge such natural processes and act accordingly was recognized. A study was commissioned with the overall purpose of ensuring that the hazards posed by debris flows were systematically assessed and ranked allowing sites to be effectively prioritized within available budgets. The methodology used to undertake a pan-Scotland, GIS-based, assessment of debris flow susceptibility is described as is the approach taken to interpret the resulting imagery in order to establish those sections of road alignment subject to hazards. The hazard scores assigned using this approach were subsequently modified in light of the results of site-specific inspections. The ranking of hazards based upon the potential exposure of road users to debris flow hazards and the potential socio-economic impacts is also described and a map illustrates the locations of the highest hazard ranking sites. The approach to management and mitigation is primarily based upon exposure reduction initially reacting to the occurrence of events but with a longer term objective to be able to forecast periods during which debris flow is more likely on the basis of rainfall. Hazard reduction is also envisaged involving engineering measures. However, such environmentally-intrusive, high cost measures are likely to be relatively few and need to be justified in the context of wider budgetary and programme constraints.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.piarc.org/en/order-library/13949-en-Proceedings%20of%20the%20XXIVth%20World%20Road%20Congress,%20Mexico%20-%202011.htm
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of the World Road Association – PIARC.
• Corporate Authors:

  World Road Association (PIARC)

  La Grande Arche, Paroi Nord, Niveau 5
  F-92055 La Defense Cedex,   France 
• Authors:
  • Winter, M G
  • Shackman, L
  • Harrison, M
  • Macgregor, F
  • Edmond, G
• Conference:
  • 24th World Road Congress
  • Location: Mexico City , Mexico
  • Date: 2011-9-26 to 2011-9-30
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 16p
• Monograph Title: 24th World Road Congress Proceedings: Roads for a Better Life: Mobility, Sustainability and Development

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Debris flows; Debris slides; Forecasting; Hazard analysis; Hazard mitigation; Highways; Landslides; Risk assessment; Risk management; Socioeconomic factors
• Geographic Terms: Scotland
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Security and Emergencies; I40: Soils and Rocks;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01505805
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 2840602679
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 27 2014 11:31AM