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SUSTAIN:Urban Modeling Systems Integrating Optimization and Economics
Citation:
Lee, J. AND J. Riverson. SUSTAIN:Urban Modeling Systems Integrating Optimization and Economics. Presented at 50 years of Watershed Modeling Conference, Boulder, CO, September 23 - 26, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
This will be presented at the 50 years of Watershed Modeling Conference.
Description:
The System for Urban Stormwater Treatment and Analysis INtegration (SUSTAIN) was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to support practitioners in developing cost-effective management plans for municipal storm water programs and evaluating and selecting Best Management Practices (BMPs) to achieve water resource goals. It was specifically developed as a decision-support system for selection and placement of BMPs at strategic locations in urban watersheds. It includes a process-based continuous simulation BMP module for representing flow and pollutant transport routing through various types of structural BMPs. Users are given the option to select from various algorithms for certain processes depending on available data, consistency with coupled modeling assumptions, and the level of detail required. SUSTAIN extends the capabilities and functionality of traditionally available models by provided integrated analysis of water quantity, quality, and cost factors. It includes a cost database comprised of typical BMP component cost data from a number of published sources for reference purposes. Cost information for any BMP can be specified as a function of physical features such as excavation volume, soil media or other construction materials, or even aggregated cost per unit volume. SUSTAIN considers certain BMP properties as “decision variables,” meaning that they are permitted to change within a given range during model simulation to support BMP selection and placement optimization. As BMP size changes, so do cost and performance. SUSTAIN runs iteratively to generate a cost-effectiveness curve comprised of optimized BMP combinations within the modeled study area. When decision makers need to weigh the merits of various potential management strategies, SUSTAIN provides a unique evaluation platform that integrates modeled process-based benefits with their associated economic implications. This presentation gives an overview of SUSTAIN.
