scholarly journals Developing an integrated framework to build a decision support tool for urban water management

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 708-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erfan Goharian ◽  
Steven J. Burian

Abstract This paper presents an integrated, computer-based generic framework to couple urban water related models into a decision support tool (DST) for urban-water management. The DST, built on a participatory modelling approach, enables stakeholders to analyze impacts of climate variation, population growth, and alternative management solutions ranging from centralized to distributed options. The coupling of external models, building of the DST, and execution of simulation processes is achieved by employing GoldSim, which is linked to a database management tool and a shared library. A post-processing package generates outcomes for decision makers in the form of a new criterion, the Water System Performance Index (WSPI). The application of DST is demonstrated for the water service area of the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities (SLCDPU). Results show that a decentralized alternative increases the reliability of the system without changing the system's vulnerability. Centralized alternative improves the overall performance of the system based on WSPI results, but decrease in performance is still noticeable under the hot and dry climate condition. Overall, the system is very sensitive to changes in climatic conditions. Results show that during droughts, supply management is not the sole solution and compulsory demand-management practices should be instigated.

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonie J. Pearson ◽  
Anthea Coggan ◽  
Wendy Proctor ◽  
Timothy F. Smith

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (13) ◽  
pp. 4253-4269 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Matheus Bezerra dos Santos Amorim ◽  
Saulo de Tarso Marques Bezerra ◽  
Maísa Mendonça Silva ◽  
Lyanne Cibely Oliveira de Sousa

10.29007/r6xs ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Nikolic ◽  
Darko Joksimovic

The revitalization of Toronto’s waterfront presents the largest urban redevelopment project currently underway in North America. With respect to planning the waterfront’s urban water systems (UWS), a number of studies considered a range of criteria in search for sustainable alternatives. However, a comprehensive assessment of the integrated source-drinking-wastewater-stormwater systems over their life cycles has not been developed. According to the main postulates of the integrated approach, hybrid water systems can offer potentially more sustainable solutions than traditional centralized systems. This paper discusses the development process of a decision support tool designed to facilitate evaluation of alternatives based on UWS metabolism concept while addressing some typical challenges of hydroinformatics. This decision-making support tool analyses and compares the sustainability performance of alternative decentralized solutions against a baseline conventional approach on a neighbourhood level. The tool uses a set of criteria, adopted by the large group of stakeholders involved in the development process, that are not typically considered in the decision-making process, such as energy savings, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, climate change resiliency, chemical use, and nutrient recovery.


2010 ◽  
Vol 91 (12) ◽  
pp. 2676-2687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tove A. Larsen ◽  
Max Maurer ◽  
Rik I.L. Eggen ◽  
Wouter Pronk ◽  
Judit Lienert

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-136
Author(s):  
Christos Papaleonidas ◽  
Dimitrios V. Lyridis ◽  
Alexios Papakostas ◽  
Dimitris Antonis Konstantinidis

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to improve the tactical planning of the stakeholders of the midstream liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply chain, using an optimisation approach. The results can contribute to enhance the proactivity on significant investment decisions. Design/methodology/approach A decision support tool (DST) is proposed to minimise the operational cost of a fleet of vessels. Mixed integer linear programming (MILP) used to perform contract assignment combined with a genetic algorithm solution are the foundations of the DST. The aforementioned methods present a formulation of the maritime transportation problem from the scope of tramp shipping companies. Findings The validation of the DST through a realistic case study illustrates its potential in generating quantitative data about the cost of the midstream LNG supply chain and the annual operations schedule for a fleet of LNG vessels. Research limitations/implications The LNG transportation scenarios included assumptions, which were required for resource reasons, such as omission of stochasticity. Notwithstanding the assumptions made, it is to the authors’ belief that the paper meets its objectives as described above. Practical implications Potential practitioners may exploit the results to make informed decisions on the operation of LNG vessels, charter rate quotes and/or redeployment of existing fleet. Originality/value The research has a novel approach as it combines the creation of practical management tool, with a comprehensive mathematical modelling, for the midstream LNG supply chain. Quantifying future fleet costs is an alternative approach, which may improve the planning procedure of a tramp shipping company.


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