The industry standard to determine the appropriate response for avalanche control is the "Avalanche Hazard Index."
The AHI takes into effect the average number of avalanches that cover the full width of the road, the average number of avalanche paths per road kilometer, and the average daily winter traffic volume.
We do know that the average daily winter traffic volume is 217 vehicles (on weekends).
Assuming worst case scenario, there are 11 paths that cross the road in 11 kilometers from the tunnels on up.
We don't know exactly how many avalanches cover the full with of the road per year, but the park should know.
Using these facts, it is difficult to find a value greater than low.
The larger issue is that the Park should base their decision of facts by hiring a professional to make an assessment of the road, rather than rely on uniformed opinions of risk, or knee jerk closures.
How does the risk of avalanche compare to other natural hazards on the Hurricane Ridge Road or any other road for that matter?
| Is=AxpxN/100 |
| A= average number of avalanches that
cover the full width of the road (sum of all paths) |
| p= average number of avalanche paths per
road kilometer; the road length per avalanche path is limited to a maximum of
1 km |
| N= average daily winter traffic volume I am not an avalanche exp |
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