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• 1. [Article] Dynamic Evaluation of Transportation Structures with iPod-Based Data Acquisition

  This grant supported coursework and laboratory development and expanded research capacity, promoting (a) innovative learning activities that expose students to cutting-edge methods of bridge structural ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Dynamic Evaluation of Transportation Structures with iPod-Based Data Acquisition Author: Riley, Charles Year: 2017 This grant supported coursework and laboratory development and expanded research capacity, promoting (a) innovative learning activities that expose students to cutting-edge methods of bridge structural health and behavior monitoring and (b) research by our growing group of graduate students using developing technologies (specifically, shake tables and iPods with on-board accelerometers). As transportation infrastructure reaches and exceeds its design life, engineering efforts are turning to evaluation, rehabilitation and repair. Accurately assessing structures to determine their future performance and remaining life is becoming a primary job function for many civil engineers. As part of this project, graduate students worked with the PI to develop course modules that employed iPods in the laboratory and classroom to introduce concepts of vibrations, dynamic evaluation methods, structural health monitoring, and damage detection. Learning gains as a result of the module were assessed with both direct and indirect methods. While learning gains appeared stronger for students who participated in the hands-on component of the laboratory, due to the small class size there were no statistically significant differences between using iPods in a hands-on laboratory versus a purely computational laboratory. However, students indicated that iPods and hands-on laboratories were their preferred experience. The team also investigated laboratory and field applications, as well as effectiveness, of iPods to study structural dynamics and structural health monitoring methods, specifically for area bridges and other transportation structures. Sensor networks and mobile device-based accelerometers are beginning to be recognized as a valid means for conducting structural evaluations. The equipment purchased with this grant allowed for a new laboratory to be developed at Oregon Tech to support multiple undergraduate and graduate elective courses including Bridge Rating, Bridge Design, Transportation Structures, and Structural Dynamics. The Structural Health and Kinetic Evaluation (SHAKE) Laboratory and the associated equipment will support education and research efforts at Oregon Tech well into the future. Title: Dynamic Evaluation of Transportation Structures with iPod-Based Data Acquisition Author: Riley, Charles Year: 2017 This grant supported coursework and laboratory development and expanded research capacity, promoting (a) innovative learning activities that expose students to cutting-edge methods of bridge structural health and behavior monitoring and (b) research by our growing group of graduate students using developing technologies (specifically, shake tables and iPods with on-board accelerometers). As transportation infrastructure reaches and exceeds its design life, engineering efforts are turning to evaluation, rehabilitation and repair. Accurately assessing structures to determine their future performance and remaining life is becoming a primary job function for many civil engineers. As part of this project, graduate students worked with the PI to develop course modules that employed iPods in the laboratory and classroom to introduce concepts of vibrations, dynamic evaluation methods, structural health monitoring, and damage detection. Learning gains as a result of the module were assessed with both direct and indirect methods. While learning gains appeared stronger for students who participated in the hands-on component of the laboratory, due to the small class size there were no statistically significant differences between using iPods in a hands-on laboratory versus a purely computational laboratory. However, students indicated that iPods and hands-on laboratories were their preferred experience. The team also investigated laboratory and field applications, as well as effectiveness, of iPods to study structural dynamics and structural health monitoring methods, specifically for area bridges and other transportation structures. Sensor networks and mobile device-based accelerometers are beginning to be recognized as a valid means for conducting structural evaluations. The equipment purchased with this grant allowed for a new laboratory to be developed at Oregon Tech to support multiple undergraduate and graduate elective courses including Bridge Rating, Bridge Design, Transportation Structures, and Structural Dynamics. The Structural Health and Kinetic Evaluation (SHAKE) Laboratory and the associated equipment will support education and research efforts at Oregon Tech well into the future. Close

• 2. [Article] Forecasting for local water management

  Forecast models are investigated and developed for use in local water management to aid in determining short term water requirements and availability. The forecast models include precipitation occurrence ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Forecasting for local water management Author: Putnam, Douglas Alan Year: 1985 Forecast models are investigated and developed for use in local water management to aid in determining short term water requirements and availability. The forecast models include precipitation occurrence and depth using a Markov chain model, temperature and solar radiation with a multivariate autoregressive model, and streamflow with autoregressive-moving average models. The precipitation, temperature, and solar radiation forecasts are used with a soil moisture model to determine water demands. A state space approach to the Muskingum-Cunge streamflow routing technique is developed. The forecast water demands and streamflow forecasts are used as inputs to this routing model. Forecast model errors and propagation of these errors from one model into the next are investigated. Title: Forecasting for local water management Author: Putnam, Douglas Alan Year: 1985 Forecast models are investigated and developed for use in local water management to aid in determining short term water requirements and availability. The forecast models include precipitation occurrence and depth using a Markov chain model, temperature and solar radiation with a multivariate autoregressive model, and streamflow with autoregressive-moving average models. The precipitation, temperature, and solar radiation forecasts are used with a soil moisture model to determine water demands. A state space approach to the Muskingum-Cunge streamflow routing technique is developed. The forecast water demands and streamflow forecasts are used as inputs to this routing model. Forecast model errors and propagation of these errors from one model into the next are investigated. Close

• 3. [Article] Seismic Hazard Assessment of Oregon Highway Truck Routes

  This research project developed a seismic risk assessment model along the major truck routes in Oregon. The study had adopted federally developed software tools called Risk for Earthquake Damage to Roadway ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Seismic Hazard Assessment of Oregon Highway Truck Routes Author: Dusicka, Peter, Mehary, Selamawit Tesfayesus Year: 2012 This research project developed a seismic risk assessment model along the major truck routes in Oregon. The study had adopted federally developed software tools called Risk for Earthquake Damage to Roadway Systems (REDARS2) and HAZUS-MH. The model was the first time REDARS2 has been adopted and used in research outside of the original development team, presenting a number of unique challenges. The development of the model was a complex, intensive process that required a significant research effort, manipulation and adjustment of data. Furthermore, limitations of the software tools themselves had been identified that prevented the inclusion of important aspects such as liquefaction induced damage and refinement of the transportation network. The main objective of this research were to refine the data from a first generation of the model to more realistically represent the bridge inventory, to address the seismicity of the Pacific Northwest, conduct sensitivity analyses of soil data on the analyses results and develop a seismic network model of Oregon bridges for purposes of assessing the seismic vulnerability of roadway segments. The first generation model relied on default settings within the program to determine the economic loss due to repair and replacement of damaged bridges. The assumptions used in the analyses have been reviewed and Oregon specific data was incorporated for the model. The largest earthquake now considered to be at a highest level of probability in the Pacific Northwest is a subduction zone earthquake. The major shortcoming of REDARS2 is its inability to incorporate the subduction zone attenuation relationship into the analysis. To incorporate that capability into the model, shakemaps were developed by USGS for Cascadia subduction zone scenario events and incorporated as the demand on the refined model. Analyses of the transportation network incorporating bridge routes and post processing of the data with input from Oregon DOT bridge engineers resulted in recommendations toward bridge route priority strategies. The majority of the bridges that indicated the possibility of damage were types associated with multi-column bents, simply-supported concrete superstructures and simply-supported steel superstructures. Of the major highway routes that were considered, I-405, section of I-5 (from Multnomah to Clackamas Counties), I-84, I-205 and US-101 were the top five on the preliminary priority for seismic retrofit. These routes need to be analyzed more and advanced cost-benefit investigations should be done before retrofit decisions are made. Title: Seismic Hazard Assessment of Oregon Highway Truck Routes Author: Dusicka, Peter, Mehary, Selamawit Tesfayesus Year: 2012 This research project developed a seismic risk assessment model along the major truck routes in Oregon. The study had adopted federally developed software tools called Risk for Earthquake Damage to Roadway Systems (REDARS2) and HAZUS-MH. The model was the first time REDARS2 has been adopted and used in research outside of the original development team, presenting a number of unique challenges. The development of the model was a complex, intensive process that required a significant research effort, manipulation and adjustment of data. Furthermore, limitations of the software tools themselves had been identified that prevented the inclusion of important aspects such as liquefaction induced damage and refinement of the transportation network. The main objective of this research were to refine the data from a first generation of the model to more realistically represent the bridge inventory, to address the seismicity of the Pacific Northwest, conduct sensitivity analyses of soil data on the analyses results and develop a seismic network model of Oregon bridges for purposes of assessing the seismic vulnerability of roadway segments. The first generation model relied on default settings within the program to determine the economic loss due to repair and replacement of damaged bridges. The assumptions used in the analyses have been reviewed and Oregon specific data was incorporated for the model. The largest earthquake now considered to be at a highest level of probability in the Pacific Northwest is a subduction zone earthquake. The major shortcoming of REDARS2 is its inability to incorporate the subduction zone attenuation relationship into the analysis. To incorporate that capability into the model, shakemaps were developed by USGS for Cascadia subduction zone scenario events and incorporated as the demand on the refined model. Analyses of the transportation network incorporating bridge routes and post processing of the data with input from Oregon DOT bridge engineers resulted in recommendations toward bridge route priority strategies. The majority of the bridges that indicated the possibility of damage were types associated with multi-column bents, simply-supported concrete superstructures and simply-supported steel superstructures. Of the major highway routes that were considered, I-405, section of I-5 (from Multnomah to Clackamas Counties), I-84, I-205 and US-101 were the top five on the preliminary priority for seismic retrofit. These routes need to be analyzed more and advanced cost-benefit investigations should be done before retrofit decisions are made. Close

• 4. [Article] Improved Methodology for Limit States Finite Element Analysis of Lattice Type Structures using Nonlinear Post-Buckling Member Performance

  In an attempt to achieve more efficient designs, the technological frontier is pushed further and further. Every year science probes for a better understanding of natural phenomena, discovering new and ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Improved Methodology for Limit States Finite Element Analysis of Lattice Type Structures using Nonlinear Post-Buckling Member Performance Author: Ostendorp, Markus Year: 1992 In an attempt to achieve more efficient designs, the technological frontier is pushed further and further. Every year science probes for a better understanding of natural phenomena, discovering new and improved methods to perform the same task more efficiently and with better results. One of the new technologies is the nonlinear analysis of structural systems using inelastic post-buckling member performance. Inelastic post-buckling member performance is defined as the constitutive relationship between axial load and displacement after the ultimate member capacity has been exceeded. A nonlinear analysis is able to predict the failure behavior of a structural system under ultimate loads more accurately than the traditionally used linear elastic analysis. Consequently, designs can be improved and become more efficient, which reduces the realization cost of a project. An improved nonlinear analysis solution algorithm has been developed, that allows the analyst to perform a nonlinear analysis using post-buckling member performances faster than previously possible. Furthermore, the original post-buckling member performance database was expanded using results obtained from physical member compression tests. Based on the experimental results, new post-buckling member performance model curves were developed to be used together with the improved nonlinear solution algorithm. In addition, a program was developed that allows the analyst to perform a valid nonlinear analysis using a finite element program (LIMIT). The program combines a numerical pre-processor, and input and output data evaluation modules based on human expertise together with the LIMIT analysis package. Extensive on-line help facilities together with graphical pre- and post-processors were also integrated into the program. The resulting analysis package essentially combines all of the necessary components required to perform a nonlinear analysis using post-buckling member performances into one complete analysis package. Title: Improved Methodology for Limit States Finite Element Analysis of Lattice Type Structures using Nonlinear Post-Buckling Member Performance Author: Ostendorp, Markus Year: 1992 In an attempt to achieve more efficient designs, the technological frontier is pushed further and further. Every year science probes for a better understanding of natural phenomena, discovering new and improved methods to perform the same task more efficiently and with better results. One of the new technologies is the nonlinear analysis of structural systems using inelastic post-buckling member performance. Inelastic post-buckling member performance is defined as the constitutive relationship between axial load and displacement after the ultimate member capacity has been exceeded. A nonlinear analysis is able to predict the failure behavior of a structural system under ultimate loads more accurately than the traditionally used linear elastic analysis. Consequently, designs can be improved and become more efficient, which reduces the realization cost of a project. An improved nonlinear analysis solution algorithm has been developed, that allows the analyst to perform a nonlinear analysis using post-buckling member performances faster than previously possible. Furthermore, the original post-buckling member performance database was expanded using results obtained from physical member compression tests. Based on the experimental results, new post-buckling member performance model curves were developed to be used together with the improved nonlinear solution algorithm. In addition, a program was developed that allows the analyst to perform a valid nonlinear analysis using a finite element program (LIMIT). The program combines a numerical pre-processor, and input and output data evaluation modules based on human expertise together with the LIMIT analysis package. Extensive on-line help facilities together with graphical pre- and post-processors were also integrated into the program. The resulting analysis package essentially combines all of the necessary components required to perform a nonlinear analysis using post-buckling member performances into one complete analysis package. Close

• 5. [Article] Development of a Pedestrian Demand Estimation Tool: a Destination Choice Model

  There is growing support for improvements to the quality of the walking environment, including more investments to promote pedestrian travel. Planners, engineers, and others seek improved tools to estimate ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Development of a Pedestrian Demand Estimation Tool: a Destination Choice Model Author: Muhs, Christopher D., Clifton, Kelly, Singleton, Patrick Allen, Schneider, Robert J. Year: 2015 There is growing support for improvements to the quality of the walking environment, including more investments to promote pedestrian travel. Planners, engineers, and others seek improved tools to estimate pedestrian demand that are sensitive to environmental and demographic factors at the appropriate scale in order to aid policy-relevant issues like air quality, public health, and smart allocation of infrastructure and other resources. Further, in the travel demand forecasting realm, tools of this kind are difficult to implement due to the use of spatial scales of analysis that are oriented towards motorized modes, vast data requirements, and computer processing limitations. To address these issues, a two-phase project between Portland State University and Oregon Metro is underway to develop a robust pedestrian planning method for use in regional travel demand models. The first phase, completed in 2013, utilizes a tool that predicts the number of walking trips generated with spatial acuity, based on a new measure of the pedestrian environment and a micro-level unit of analysis. Currently, phase two is building upon this tool to predict the distribution of walking trips, connecting the origins predicted in phase one to destinations. This presentation will focus on phase two, which is one of the first studies to focus on destination choices among pedestrians separately from other modes. The approach can be extended to identify the spatial extent of potential pedestrian paths to these destinations. Ultimately, the products developed from the research can estimate various aspects of pedestrian demand – trip generation, trip distribution, and areas of potential pedestrian activity. These tools will add to the analytical methods available for transportation modeling, pedestrian and safety analysis, health assessments, and other pedestrian planning applications. Title: Development of a Pedestrian Demand Estimation Tool: a Destination Choice Model Author: Muhs, Christopher D., Clifton, Kelly, Singleton, Patrick Allen, Schneider, Robert J. Year: 2015 There is growing support for improvements to the quality of the walking environment, including more investments to promote pedestrian travel. Planners, engineers, and others seek improved tools to estimate pedestrian demand that are sensitive to environmental and demographic factors at the appropriate scale in order to aid policy-relevant issues like air quality, public health, and smart allocation of infrastructure and other resources. Further, in the travel demand forecasting realm, tools of this kind are difficult to implement due to the use of spatial scales of analysis that are oriented towards motorized modes, vast data requirements, and computer processing limitations. To address these issues, a two-phase project between Portland State University and Oregon Metro is underway to develop a robust pedestrian planning method for use in regional travel demand models. The first phase, completed in 2013, utilizes a tool that predicts the number of walking trips generated with spatial acuity, based on a new measure of the pedestrian environment and a micro-level unit of analysis. Currently, phase two is building upon this tool to predict the distribution of walking trips, connecting the origins predicted in phase one to destinations. This presentation will focus on phase two, which is one of the first studies to focus on destination choices among pedestrians separately from other modes. The approach can be extended to identify the spatial extent of potential pedestrian paths to these destinations. Ultimately, the products developed from the research can estimate various aspects of pedestrian demand – trip generation, trip distribution, and areas of potential pedestrian activity. These tools will add to the analytical methods available for transportation modeling, pedestrian and safety analysis, health assessments, and other pedestrian planning applications. Close

• 6. [Article] Development of an Open Source Bridge Management System

  A bridge management system is developed using the Tcl scripting language in conjunction with the OpenSees finite element software framework. Fully programmable and string-based, Tcl is ideal for implementing ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Development of an Open Source Bridge Management System Author: Scott, Michael H. Year: 2011 A bridge management system is developed using the Tcl scripting language in conjunction with the OpenSees finite element software framework. Fully programmable and string-based, Tcl is ideal for implementing live load analysis through scripts and experimenting with emergent bridge rating methodologies. Since Tcl is an interpreted language, the application also has the important advantage that new bridge capacity models and rating factor calculations can be implemented on multiple platforms without compiling source code. The network programming features of Tcl give the system access to databases for conducting internet-based bridge rating. The system is demonstrated for rating a conventionally reinforced concrete girder; however, it is readily extensible to other types of bridge components. Title: Development of an Open Source Bridge Management System Author: Scott, Michael H. Year: 2011 A bridge management system is developed using the Tcl scripting language in conjunction with the OpenSees finite element software framework. Fully programmable and string-based, Tcl is ideal for implementing live load analysis through scripts and experimenting with emergent bridge rating methodologies. Since Tcl is an interpreted language, the application also has the important advantage that new bridge capacity models and rating factor calculations can be implemented on multiple platforms without compiling source code. The network programming features of Tcl give the system access to databases for conducting internet-based bridge rating. The system is demonstrated for rating a conventionally reinforced concrete girder; however, it is readily extensible to other types of bridge components. Close

• 7. [Article] Multi-Criteria Trucking Freeway Performance Measures in Congested Corridors

  Research was undertaken to develop multicriteria tools for measuring and analyzing the impact of recurring and nonrecurring congestion on freight. Unlike previous studies, this work used several distinct ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Multi-Criteria Trucking Freeway Performance Measures in Congested Corridors Author: Figliozzi, Miguel, Wheeler, Nikki Year: 2011 Research was undertaken to develop multicriteria tools for measuring and analyzing the impact of recurring and nonrecurring congestion on freight. Unlike previous studies, this work used several distinct data sources to analyze the effects of congestion on I-5 in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area: Global Positioning System data from commercial trucks, Oregon Department of Transportation corridor travel time loop data, and incident data. A new methodology and algorithms combine these data sources and estimate the impact of recurrent and nonrecurrent congestion on reliability and delays, costs, and emissions of freight movements. The results suggest that traditional traffic sensor data tend to underestimate the impact of congestion on travel times and variability of commercial vehicles. Congestion is detrimental not only for carriers' and shippers' costs but also for the planet because of increases in greenhouse gas emissions and for the local community because of increases in oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter, and other harmful pollutants. The developed methodology can provide useful freight operation and performance data for the freight community, transportation decision makers, and other transportation stakeholders. For more information: http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/11487 Title: Multi-Criteria Trucking Freeway Performance Measures in Congested Corridors Author: Figliozzi, Miguel, Wheeler, Nikki Year: 2011 Research was undertaken to develop multicriteria tools for measuring and analyzing the impact of recurring and nonrecurring congestion on freight. Unlike previous studies, this work used several distinct data sources to analyze the effects of congestion on I-5 in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area: Global Positioning System data from commercial trucks, Oregon Department of Transportation corridor travel time loop data, and incident data. A new methodology and algorithms combine these data sources and estimate the impact of recurrent and nonrecurrent congestion on reliability and delays, costs, and emissions of freight movements. The results suggest that traditional traffic sensor data tend to underestimate the impact of congestion on travel times and variability of commercial vehicles. Congestion is detrimental not only for carriers' and shippers' costs but also for the planet because of increases in greenhouse gas emissions and for the local community because of increases in oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter, and other harmful pollutants. The developed methodology can provide useful freight operation and performance data for the freight community, transportation decision makers, and other transportation stakeholders. For more information: http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/11487 Close

• 8. [Article] Evaluating the Use of Crowdsourcing as a Data Collection Method for Bicycle Performance Measures and Identification of Facility Improvement Needs

  This research developed a smartphone application called ORcycle to collect cyclists’ routes, users, and comfort levels. ORcycle combines GPS revealed route data collection with new questionnaires that ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Evaluating the Use of Crowdsourcing as a Data Collection Method for Bicycle Performance Measures and Identification of Facility Improvement Needs Author: Figliozzi, Miguel A., Blanc, Bryan Philip Year: 2015 This research developed a smartphone application called ORcycle to collect cyclists’ routes, users, and comfort levels. ORcycle combines GPS revealed route data collection with new questionnaires that try to elicit cyclists’ attitudes as well as comfort levels and factors that influence their perceived comfort and route choice. The new questionnaires were developed to better understand how cyclists’ comfort levels are affected by route characteristics, route stressors, safety reports, cyclists’ demographics, and cyclists’ cycling attitude. Preliminary results show that many trip characteristics, route choice factors, route stressors and demographic variables are correlated with comfort levels. ORcycle is the first statewide deployment of a smartphone application to collect bicycle specific safety and crash data in addition to travel and comfort data. Potential applications that can take advantage of the ORcycle data include: comfort and route models, prioritization of network improvements, and crash and injury risk models. Title: Evaluating the Use of Crowdsourcing as a Data Collection Method for Bicycle Performance Measures and Identification of Facility Improvement Needs Author: Figliozzi, Miguel A., Blanc, Bryan Philip Year: 2015 This research developed a smartphone application called ORcycle to collect cyclists’ routes, users, and comfort levels. ORcycle combines GPS revealed route data collection with new questionnaires that try to elicit cyclists’ attitudes as well as comfort levels and factors that influence their perceived comfort and route choice. The new questionnaires were developed to better understand how cyclists’ comfort levels are affected by route characteristics, route stressors, safety reports, cyclists’ demographics, and cyclists’ cycling attitude. Preliminary results show that many trip characteristics, route choice factors, route stressors and demographic variables are correlated with comfort levels. ORcycle is the first statewide deployment of a smartphone application to collect bicycle specific safety and crash data in addition to travel and comfort data. Potential applications that can take advantage of the ORcycle data include: comfort and route models, prioritization of network improvements, and crash and injury risk models. Close

• 9. [Article] State space approach to flood stage estimation

  A flood routing and stage prediction model is developed using the techniques of State Space and Kalman filtering. The governing equation is the physically based hydrologic method of flood routing with ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: State space approach to flood stage estimation Author: Jones, Gregory Allen Year: 1984 A flood routing and stage prediction model is developed using the techniques of State Space and Kalman filtering. The governing equation is the physically based hydrologic method of flood routing with the output being an optimal estimate of stage given known inputs of streamflow. These equations are developed in state space and the Kalman filter is employed to estimate the flow and river stage. The model is applied to the Toutle and Cowlitz Rivers in the State of Washington, where the stage is affected by a shifting bed elevation. With the deterministic inputs at Mayfield Dam on the Cowlitz and Tower Road on the Toutle, the optimal output of stage is predicted at Castle Rock on the Cowlitz River. Addition of the Kalman Filter improves stage prediction based on an application to an observed storm event. Title: State space approach to flood stage estimation Author: Jones, Gregory Allen Year: 1984 A flood routing and stage prediction model is developed using the techniques of State Space and Kalman filtering. The governing equation is the physically based hydrologic method of flood routing with the output being an optimal estimate of stage given known inputs of streamflow. These equations are developed in state space and the Kalman filter is employed to estimate the flow and river stage. The model is applied to the Toutle and Cowlitz Rivers in the State of Washington, where the stage is affected by a shifting bed elevation. With the deterministic inputs at Mayfield Dam on the Cowlitz and Tower Road on the Toutle, the optimal output of stage is predicted at Castle Rock on the Cowlitz River. Addition of the Kalman Filter improves stage prediction based on an application to an observed storm event. Close

• 10. [Article] The applicability of microcomputers to local water management

  Historically, hydrologic models have been available only on mainframe computers and have therefore not been used by local water managers to support daily decisions. The development of the microcomputer ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The applicability of microcomputers to local water management Author: Allen, Roderick Lee Year: 1985 Historically, hydrologic models have been available only on mainframe computers and have therefore not been used by local water managers to support daily decisions. The development of the microcomputer presents an opportunity for that to change. Mathematical models of soil moisture and river routing are selected, developed and tested for use on a microcomputer as an aid to local water management. The models are then integrated with an appropriate data base in a computer program written for a microcomputer. The result is a Decision Support System for local water managers. In order to evaluate the feasibility of using the Decision Support System, an application of the program to a small hypothetical river and irrigation system is carried out. The speed of execution indicates that the use of the Decision Support System on this class of computer under the present configuration may be possible if software or hardware changes can reduce data transfer times to and from disk. Title: The applicability of microcomputers to local water management Author: Allen, Roderick Lee Year: 1985 Historically, hydrologic models have been available only on mainframe computers and have therefore not been used by local water managers to support daily decisions. The development of the microcomputer presents an opportunity for that to change. Mathematical models of soil moisture and river routing are selected, developed and tested for use on a microcomputer as an aid to local water management. The models are then integrated with an appropriate data base in a computer program written for a microcomputer. The result is a Decision Support System for local water managers. In order to evaluate the feasibility of using the Decision Support System, an application of the program to a small hypothetical river and irrigation system is carried out. The speed of execution indicates that the use of the Decision Support System on this class of computer under the present configuration may be possible if software or hardware changes can reduce data transfer times to and from disk. Close