EconoMe online risk assessment tool
The greater the extent of human activity in the Alps,
the louder the call for protective action against natural hazards, such as
avalanches and rockfalls. Absolute protection can never be afforded, however,
not least because resources are limited. Planners must therefore seek to
protect human life and property by making the best possible use of the
available financial and personnel resources. In recent years, the SLF has
contributed to the development of various online risk assessment tools. They
facilitate an assessment of the risk posed by natural hazards and help to
examine the effectiveness and economy of different protective measures. Jointly
developed by a consortium consisting of GEOTEST AG, NATUR.ING, GRSoft and the
SLF, these tools are based on the methodology that underpins the Swiss National
Risk Concept for Natural Hazards (RIKO).
EconoMe
The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) engaged the forenamed consortium to develop the
EconoMe tool. FOEN now uses the assessment tool to design appropriate
protection projects where action needs to be taken against gravitational
processes, including avalanches, debris flows and rockfalls. By analysing the
balance between the costs and benefits of various protective measures, EconoMe
facilitates an assessment of both their effectiveness (in reducing risk) and
economy. Since 2008, the use of EconoMe to evaluate protection projects has
been obligatory. One of the EconoMe development objectives was to originate a
tool that was capable of comparing the projects it was assessing. The software
therefore employs standardised scenarios and calculation factors that cannot be
edited by the user. Access to EconoMe is restricted to authorised persons and
institutions. This group of users can install an offline version on their own
computers for practice purposes. The SLF assumed responsibility for the
project's further development in 2013.
For further information (in German, French and Italian): www.econome.admin.ch
EconoMe-Develop
Unlike EconoMe, the EconoMe-Develop version gives the
user the freedom to modify the assumptions and calculation factors of the risk
assessment according to the circumstances that apply to a specific case.
EconoMe-Develop is intended to support research and development activities. It
was produced on behalf of PLANAT, the National Platform for Natural Hazards, as
a software tool to accompany the RIKO code of practice. EconoMe-Develop
provides several interfaces for importing and exporting data from and to
external sources, e.g. geographic information systems. FOEN welcomes inquiries
from individuals and institutions that wish to use this tool.
For further information (in German and French): www.econome-develop.admin.ch
EconoMe-Railway
EconoMe-Railway was developed specifically for the needs
of railway operators. It enables them to analyse loss events that are typical
for their industry. This online tool can also give consideration to the
operating cost implications in the event of a line being closed, for example.
EconoMe-Railway was developed on behalf of the national railway operator SBB,
Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon-Bahn, Zentralbahn, Berner-Oberland-Bahn, Rhätische
Bahn, Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn, FOEN and the Swiss Federal Office of Transport.
Access is reserved for authorised persons and institutions.
For further information (in German): www.econome.ch/eco-rail
RoadRisk
The Swiss Federal Roads Office commissioned the
forenamed consortium to develop RoadRisk for the risks encountered on the
national road network. Like the other EconoMe variants, RoadRisk is an online
tool. It facilitates an evaluation of the risks that exist on defined sections
of the road network and its infrastructure. RoadRisk provides interfaces for
importing and exporting data from and to geographic information systems. Access
is restricted to authorised persons and institutions.
For further information (in German): www.roadrisk.admin.ch
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