Case studies

Projects with partners in Graubünden and Tyrol – from a torrent catchment to the walls of a historic fortress.

Rhaetian Railway train on the Hinterrhein bridge in Graubünden — © RhB, photo: Andrea Badrutt, Chur

Debris flow and torrentPilot project

Rhaetian Railway: early warning for the Carrerabach torrent

Graubünden, Switzerland; partners: Rhaetian Railway, Graubünden Office for Forests and Natural Hazards

Background

The Carrerabach drains a catchment of around 14 km² next to one of Graubünden's key railway lines. Sediment transport and debris flows pose a recurring hazard.

Solution

Rather than measuring only at the structure, GMD® monitors the entire catchment in real time – off-grid, year-round and without existing infrastructure on site – so that an event is detected where it begins.

Next steps

Extension with a geophone network and sensor-triggered drone surveys. [GMD MUSS PRÜFEN: RhB/AWN approval for naming, quote and results; evidence for lead-time claim “hours to days”]

Neue Prager Hütte mountain hut with monitoring station

Water resources

German Alpine Club: water monitoring at Neue Prager Hütte

Tyrol, Austria; 2,796 m; partner: German Alpine Club (DAV)

Background

A high-altitude hut depends on springs whose discharge varies with weather and climate. There is no power or data infrastructure on site.

Solution

A self-powered sensor system measures spring discharge, water level and consumption. A purpose-built IoT architecture reliably transmits the data to the GMD® platform, where it is prepared for the DAV.

Outcome

Real-time data on water availability, better planning of hut operations and a basis for climate-adapted water management. [GMD MUSS PRÜFEN: align altitude; DAV approval]

Kufstein Fortress with sensors on the historic wall

Rockfall

City of Kufstein: monitoring at Kufstein Fortress

Tyrol, Austria; partners: City of Kufstein, State of Tyrol; installed April 2024

Background

Historic masonry and rock in hard-to-reach areas, subject to heritage protection rules and visited by large numbers of people.

Solution

An off-grid multi-sensor setup combining seismic sensors, accelerometers and edge IoT continuously records micro-movement, vibration and environmental conditions. Twenty sensors were installed as part of a flagship project.

Outcome

Changes are detected early and maintenance can be targeted. [GMD MUSS PRÜFEN: clarify scope: existing site describes both monitoring and a “protection concept incl. implementation” with HTB]

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