<body><div>Alaskans and tourists traveling between Anchorage and Seward can expect a safer drive thanks to a new avalanche detection and mitigation project led by the Alaska Department of Transportation &amp; Public Facilities.The Avalanche Mitigation Alert Detection system, or AMAD, was recently awarded $1.13 million through a SMART grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The project will bring cutting-edge technology to the Seward Highway corridor, one of Alaska’s busiest and most critical roadways.The Seward Highway, a key route connecting Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula and Seward, plays a vital role in commerce, tourism, and daily travel. However, avalanches have long posed serious risks to both drivers and maintenance crews.AMAD aims to change that.The system will use intelligent sensors to monitor snowpack stability, weather conditions, and avalanche risk in real time. It will also allow for controlled releases of unstable snow, helping prevent dangerous natural avalanches before they occur. Advanced forecasting tools will provide transportation officials with real-time data to support proactive decision-making.“With this new technology, the citizens of Alaska—especially those driving places like the Seward Highway—will have less congestion and fewer delays due to avalanches,” said Stan Caldwell, director of the SMART grants program with the U.S. Department of Transportation.In addition to AMAD, crews will deploy a truck-mounted Rural Avalanche Control System, or R.A.C.K., to trigger smaller, controlled avalanches in high-risk areas.“The eyes of the nation are on Alaska,” Caldwell added. “They’re watching this technology being deployed so it can potentially be used in the Lower 48 to improve safety and efficiency.”Recent avalanche activity underscores the importance of these efforts.Near Girdwood, multiple human-triggered avalanches were reported. On Max’s Mountain, one person was caught, carried, and injured.Experts say the dangerous conditions are due to a weak layer of faceted snow buried beneath newer snowfall.“What we found was this avalanche failed on a layer of faceted snow that formed between two main storms,” said avalanche forecaster Andrew. “Now we have new snow sitting on top of that weaker layer.”Areas including Turnagain Pass and Girdwood remain under considerable avalanche danger.Officials say the AMAD project will not only improve travel safety but also reduce risks for Department of Transportation crews working to keep the highway open.With this new system in place, Alaska is leading the way in avalanche safety innovation—helping protect both those on the road and those working behind the scenes.</div></body>

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Alaskans and tourists traveling between Anchorage and Seward can expect a safer drive thanks to a new avalanche detection and mitigation project led by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. The Avalanche Mitigation Alert Detection system, or AMAD, was recently awarded $1.13 million through a SMART grant from...

New tech aims to stop Seward Highway avalanches

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Alaskans and tourists traveling between Anchorage and Seward can expect a safer drive thanks to a new avalanche detection and mitigation project led by the

New tech aims to stop Seward Highway avalanches

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