Over the last 20 years, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become
commonplace tools for both public and private utilities. To have a map of the exact
location of an asset only a few mouse clicks away saves time spent looking up indexed
paper-based maps. GIS also gives engineers and technicians more flexibility in
developing ad hoc maps as well as being an efficient robust analytical tool. This paper describes how, after the
blackout of August 14, 2003, the Cleveland Division of Water (CWD) realized the value
of 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-makers
a good idea about the amount of existing storage capacity in the distribution
system and estimates of what additional storage would be needed. The customer counts
helped decide which stations critically needed backup power sources in case of the
reoccurrence of such a power outage. Without the GIS, this information would have
taken much more time to develop. The spatial analysis capability of the GIS may have
also led to more accurate results than those that would come from similar calculations
done by hand. With confidence in the results of the study, the Division of Water was able
to deliver a specific plan to the Mayor for improvements to the distribution system that
would reduce the chance for customers to be out of water if another blackout fell upon
the city. Includes reference, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 900 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 9 |
| Published : | 06/17/2004 |
