Railway geohazard risk management: some practical experiences with geohazard warning thresholds

Pete Quinn, Dave Gauthier, Matt Lato, Dominique Sirois

In the proceedings of: GeoSt. John's 2019: 72nd Canadian Geotechnical Conference

Session: Geohazards Assessment

ABSTRACT: Geohazard risk affects the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway connecting an Iron Ore mine in Labrador City, NL to port facilities in Sept-Îles, QC. This risk derives from a range of geomorphic processes along the railway, including rockfall, earth landslides, washout (internal or overland erosion of the embankment) and river bank erosion. Risk is managed in accordance with widely accepted principles, including provision to monitor for conditions that may influence the current likelihood of geohazard occurrence. Bank erosion potential is monitored via stream gauge observations. Earth landslide and washout potential are monitored via rainfall observations in comparison with intensity-duration-frequency threshold curves. Rockfall potential is monitored via rainfall observations and time since last thaw. Each warning threshold has been re-examined over time to consider geohazard event and non-event observations. This paper discusses recent modifications to geohazard warning systems striking a balance between accuracy and practicality.

RÉSUMÉ: Le risque de géorisque affecte la voie ferrée de la Côte-Nord et du Labrador du Québec reliant une mine de minerai de fer à Labrador City (T.-N.-L.) à des installations portuaires à Sept-Îles (QC). Ce risque provient d'une série de processus le long de la voie ferrée, notamment les chutes de pierres, les glissements de terrain, le lessivage (érosion interne ou terrestre du remblai) et l'érosion des berges des rivières. Les risques sont gérés conformément aux principes généralement de survenue de catastrophes naturelles. Le potentis en comparaison avec les courbes de seuil intensité-durée-fréquence. Le potentiel de chute de pierres est surveillé via les observations de précipitations et le temps écoulé depuis le dernier dégel. Chaque seuil d'alerte a été réexaminé au fil du temps afin de prendre en compte les évènements géologiques. Ce document traite de certains des principaux

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