Fuzzy assessment of land suitability for scientific research reserves

Evaluating the characteristics of a set of sites as potential scientific research reserves is an example of land suitability assessment. Suitability in this case is based upon multiple criteria, many of which can be linguistically imprecise and often incompatible. Fuzzy logic is a useful method for characterizing imprecise suitability criteria and for combining criteria into an overall suitability rating. The Ecosystem Management Decision Support software combined a fuzzy logic knowledge base we developed to represent the assessment problem with a GIS database providing site-specific data for the assessment. Assessment of sites as a potential natural reserve for the new University of California campus at Merced demonstrates the benefits of fuzzy suitability assessment. The study was conducted in three stages of successively smaller assessment regions with increasingly fine spatial resolution and specificity of criteria. Several sites were identified that best satisfy the suitability criteria for a reserve to represent vernal pool habitat.     

Solid waste management in urban areas: Development and application of a decision support system

A decision support system (DSS) developed to assist the planner in decisions concerning the overall management of solid waste at a municipal scale is described. The DSS allows to plan the optimal number of landfills and treatment plants, and to determine the optimal quantities and the characteristics of the refuse that has to be sent to treatment plants, to landfills and to recycling. The application of the DSS is based on the solution of a constrained non-linear optimization problem. Various classes of constraints have been introduced in the problem formulation, taking into account the regulations about the minimum requirements for recycling, incineration process requirements, sanitary landfill conservation, and mass balance. The cost function to be minimized includes recycling, transportation and maintenance costs. The DSS has been tested on the municipality of Genova, Italy, and the results obtained are presented.     

填埋场环境影响评价决策支持系统的研究和开发

通过分析我国填埋场环评存在的问题，本文提出采用VB6．0的方法，基于知识推理来建立填埋环境影响评价决策支持系统（LEIADSS），使填埋场环评工作标准化。实例研究显示，利用VB6．0编程语言可以方便的完成该系统的设计，且能使环评工作快速、准确的完成。     

路面预防性养护时机确定方法探讨

介绍了路面预防性养护时机的确定方法 :应用行驶质量指数或破坏指数、基于时间或路况、效益费用评估、生命周期费用分析、决策树或决策矩阵、评分排序方法进行路面预防性养护时机的确定 ;挖掘了目前路面预防性养护时机选取方法中存在的不足。根据路面破坏的复杂性以及目前路面预防性养护时机选取方法的不足 ,提出应对措施 ,路面预防性养护时机研究应该在一个多标准、基于路面性能的基础上进行 ;在路面结构性能良好的情况下 ,基于预防性养护的路面功能性能衰变是进行路面预防性养护时机研究的关键     

Organizations in context: proposal for a new theoretical approach in prescriptive accident research

Lately, requests have been made to include the contexts of enterprises in models to prevent accidents at work. This paper presents different contextual theories in order to analyze whether this type of theory could be a way to elaborate our understanding of context. A differentiation is made between (a) theories of understanding relations between enterprises and regulatory agencies and (b) theories to perceive the relation between enterprise and the broader context. The last group of theories has its point of departure in an organizational understanding diverging from the classical, rational understanding of organizations and organizational processes. The conclusion is that contextual theories open for an elaborated understanding of the role of contextual relations in accident prevention, but also that an investigation of the potentials for making the theories action-orientated is needed.     

Development of a decision support system for Prioritization of multimedia dischargers

In 1990 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began sponsoring several pilot projects in its regional offices to examine the potential benefits of adopting a multimedia approach to facility management. This approach differs from traditional practices at EPA in that facilities (dischargers regulated under permits issued by the agency) are managed based upon their cumulative impacts to all media: air, water, and land. Currently, facilities are managed by separate programs at EPA that evaluate environmental impacts from a single-media perspective. One aspect of discharger management is the necessity to allocate limited financial resources in a way that will minimize risk to human health and the environment. A careful, risk-based prioritization of facilities is one means of providing insight to the most effective strategy of allocating monitoring, inspection, and enforcement resources. Prioritization from a multimedia perspective is particularly difficult, however, since it requires translation and integration of medium-specific facility performances, management objectives, and perceptions of risk into a cumulative rating. A computerized decision support system (DSS) designed to guide management through the prioritization process from a multimedia perspective was identified as a potentially valuable tool for use in the pilot projects. This article describes the development of such a prototype, outlines the features of the completed system, and discusses its potential for use at EPA.     

The design and use of strategic planning arenas

This paper takes a close look at communication, process, power and institutional arrangements in the context of strategic planning. It introduces an eight step process for structuring strategic thinking and acting and develops the concept of “arenas” as a very influential — yet often very subtle — exercise of power over the course of a strategic planning process.     

海塘工程安全分析与防台抗潮决策支持技术

风暴潮期间海塘工程的安全是防汛工作的重要问题。本文对海塘工程安全的影响因素进行了分析，提出了海塘工程安全预警的思路，并将决策支持系统这一新技术引入防台抗潮的决策工作中，以提高决策人的决策能力。     

ESTIMATING NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION LOADS WITH A GIS SCREENING MODEL1

ABSTRACT: The St. Johns River Water Management District (SJR-WMD) is using a Geographic Information System (GIS) screening model to estimate annual nonpoint source pollution loads to surface waters and determine nonpoint source pollution problem areas within the SJRWMD. The model is a significant improvement over current practice because it is contained entirely within the district's GIS software, resulting in greater flexibility and efficiency, and useful visualization capabilities. Model inputs consist of five spatial data layers, runoff coefficients, mean runoff concentrations, and stormwater treatment efficiencies. The spatial data layers are: existing land use, future land use, soils, rainfall, and hydrologic boundaries. These data layers are processed using the analytical capabilities of a cell-based GIS. Model output consists of seven spatial data layers: runoff, total nitrogen, total phosphorous, suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, lead, and zinc. Model output can be examined visually or summarized numerically by drainage basin. Results are reported for only one of the SJRWMD's ten major drainage basins, the lower St. Johns River basin. The model was created to serve a major planning effort at the SJRWMD; results are being actively used to address nonpoint source pollution problems.     

减少木材加工企业粉尘污染的切削技术

木粉尘是我国木材加工企业环境污染及产生职业病的主要原因,为控制木粉尘产生量和散发量,笔者从切削及刀具技术角度探讨了降低空气中粉尘浓度的途径;指出粉尘是木材切削加工的产物,其产生量与散发量直接与木材切削方式、切削条件和刀具的结构密切相关;提出研究无屑、少屑和顺畅排屑等方面木材切削和刀具技术的重要性。综述了激光、高压水喷射等特种木材切削技术的研究及应用现状;介绍了金刚石木工铣刀及超薄硬质合金圆锯片等先进刀具技术;探讨并分析了影响木粉尘产生量的切削因素。指出我国大多数木材加工企业工作车间或作业场所的空气中,粉尘浓度严重超标,因此,研究和开发具有环保特点的绿色切削技术和木工刀具制造技术具有重要意义。