Full Description

Over the last 20 years, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have becomecommonplace tools for both public and private utilities. To have a map of the exactlocation of an asset only a few mouse clicks away saves time spent looking up indexedpaper-based maps. GIS also gives engineers and technicians more flexibility indeveloping ad hoc maps as well as being an efficient robust analytical tool. This paper describes how, after theblackout of August 14, 2003, the Cleveland Division of Water (CWD) realized the valueof modeling in GIS to recreate the events in the water system during the crisis. The sequence of composite maps created from the GIS analysis gave decision-makersa good idea about the amount of existing storage capacity in the distributionsystem and estimates of what additional storage would be needed. The customer countshelped decide which stations critically needed backup power sources in case of thereoccurrence of such a power outage. Without the GIS, this information would havetaken much more time to develop. The spatial analysis capability of the GIS may havealso led to more accurate results than those that would come from similar calculationsdone by hand. With confidence in the results of the study, the Division of Water was ableto deliver a specific plan to the Mayor for improvements to the distribution system thatwould reduce the chance for customers to be out of water if another blackout fell uponthe city. Includes reference, figures.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 06/17/2004 Number of Pages: 9File Size: 1 file , 900 KB