Integrated-signal-based leak location method for liquid pipelines

Leaks in pipelines can cause major incidents resulting in both human injuries and financial losses. Among the considerable leak detection and location methods, the Negative Pressure Wave (NPW) based method has been widely used in locating leaks in liquid pipelines. The NPW based method only monitors the pressure changes at two ends of a pipeline. But the pressure is apt to be fixed by the end equipment and the change of it induced by a small or slow leakage is too small to be detected, which limit the application of the NPW based method in these situations. This paper presents a novel leak location method based on integrated signal, which is a combination of the pressure and flow rate signals. The representation of the integrated signal is derived from the transient analysis of the leakage. For the change of the integrated signal induced by a leakage is larger than the pressure change and it is also unaffected by the end equipment, the proposed method can be used to detect and locate small or slow leakage in a pipeline and can also be used in pipelines which end pressures are fixed by some kinds of equipment. The validation of the proposed method also confirms its advantages.     

基于ERRS选址模型的地下应急物流系统建设研究

地下物流系统（ULS）可缓解地面交通压力,为保障ULS正常运行,利用数学建模技术,研究建设基于应急资源储备站（ERRS）选址模型的地下应急物流系统（UELS）。首先根据地面拥堵指数（TPI）,构建ULS的节点群和路径;其次考虑救援时间、覆盖范围及区域数量等因素,在节点群内选建ERRS,分2步共同建立救援时间最短和建站成本最小的多目标ERRS选址模型;然后,根据系统工程相关知识,建立地下应急物流系统（UELS）模型,包含基于ERRS的UELS硬件基础设施、地下应急管理体系的信息化平台、地下应急指挥系统3大部分。研究结果表明:通过建立地下应急物流系统（UELS）可为正处在探索发展阶段的地下物流系统及其应急管理工作提供理论支持。     

供水管网水质监测点选址风险研究

饮用水足否安全，是近年来社会各界普遍关注的问题之一。供水管网的水质监测是保证供水安全、降低水污染风险的重要环节。然而，如何合理选择水质监测点，至今尚无科学的方法。往定义供水管网水质监测点选址风险度的基础上，结合某供水管网，利用二进制编码的微粒群算法埘供水管网水质监测点选址的风险问题进行了研究，可以帮助决策者科学地选择优化的水质监测点。     

城市应急避难场所层次布局研究(Ⅱ)——三级层次选址模型

分析应急避难场所层次选址的目标因素:建设成本和避难效果,提出总的移动距离最短和建设成本最小两类选址目标,立足城市发展程度差异和现状应急避难场所建设情况分析,将应急避难场所选址类型分为规划性选址、老城新选址、补充性选址三种。依据应急避难场所的三级层次划分,以及单一流、嵌套、空间非匹配的层次特点,分别建立了应急避难场所的规划性选址、老城新选址、补充性选址共8个三级层次选址模型,并通过模拟实验对模型的效果进行了检验。     

Spatial error propagation when computing linear combinations of spectral bands: The case of vegetation indices

The collection of accurate and timely information on land use, crops, forest and vegetation are increasingly based on remote sensing spectral measurements produced by satellites. The most recent spacecrafts like the Earth Observing 1 (EO-1) produce a rich source of information being endowed with hyperspectral sensors that can provide up to 200 or more channels. In many instances such a multivariate signal has to be reduced to just one single value per pixel representing a particular characteristic of land. Linear combinations of bands are the general form of many indices. Since each individual image used to construct indices contains errors, when combined they produce a propagation of errors, a process that can distort a final output map. In this paper we measure the extent of error propagation when building linear vegetation indices. We consider three types of indices: the difference vegetation index (DVI), selected Kauth-Thomas indices (SBI, GVI and WET), and principal components, using benchmarking examples taken from the remote sensing literature. The main implication emerging from these examples is that the SBI and the first principal component are the indices more prone to error propagation. The formalization presented here allows a user to derive measures of error propagation in cases where technical characteristics of a sensor and physical characteristics of a landscape are known. These results can help a user to choose between alternative vegetation indices, and to associate a measure of reliability with such indices.     

The environmental regulator and industrial development

Environmental regulatory agencies' administrative procedures have a significant impact on plant location. The authors review the basic reasons why companies build new plants and the constraints they operate under during site searches. The relationship between these issues and the regulatory agencies' administrative procedures is then shown, as well as the manner in which these procedures influence the site search. On the basis of this discussion, recommendations are made about how state environmental protection agencies can assist site seekers in a manner consistent with their regulatory responsibilities.     

On the choice of farm management practices after the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy in 2003

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was fundamentally reformed in 2003. From 2005, farmers will receive decoupled income support payments instead of production premiums if basic standards for environment, food safety, animal health and welfare are met. Farmers are likely to adjust production and management practices to the new policy framework. We describe how this reform fits into the EU strategy of making agricultural production more environmentally friendly by concentrating on the financial aspects of the reforms. Using an agricultural sector model for Austria, we show that the reform will further decrease agricultural outputs, reduce farm inputs, lessen nitrogen surpluses and make environmentally friendly management practices more attractive for farmers.     

SUITABILITY ANALYSIS FOR SELECTION OF PIPELINE ROUTES1

ABSTRACT: A brief review of environmental assessment methods is presented as an introduction to a study of environmental management problems in a coastal area of southern Louisiana. The assessment method used in the study is called suitability analysis and involves the use of matrices. The matrix approach is simply a convenient method for organizing all factors representing environmental concerns in a region. The matrices proved to be very useful in defining the present state of an environmental regime and in maintaining an inventory of regional features and potential impacts. The method is described in detail and illustrated by evaluating the potential impacts of a major pipeline construction job in the area. Of major concern is the potential impact on the water resources of the region. Disruption to the natural drainage could be detremental, and affect the suitability of available water for a given use. Limitations of the method are discussed and potential areas for improvement and research are noted. Coupled with an economic assessment, the suitability analysis method should prove beneficial for selecting development sites for industries, residential areas, and other construction activities.     

AN ASSESSMENT OF WATER UTILITY INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THEIR USE OF COMPUTERS1

To provide an overview of water utility information systems and the extent of computer use, a direct mail survey of all water utilities serving populations of 2,000 or more in the tri-state area - Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky - was conducted. The following was determined: 1) utility profile information, e.g., public/private ownership, age, number of accounts, etc.; 2) an assessment of the degree of computerization presently in place to perform various functions; and 3) an assessment of any plans that the utilities may have for future computerization. To analyze the data, an index of computerization was defined as the number of departments or major activity areas of each utility that presently have some computerization. The relationship between the degree of computerization (measured by this index) and a utility's profile in terms of population served, annual revenue generated, and the number of customer accounts is discussed for each state in the survey. Discriminant analysis revealed strong significant differences between utilities that plan to use computers and those that do not. The differences were identified by the authors. Survey results revealed a rather limited use of computers in the tri-state area. Enormous potential exists in small and medium sized utilities for computerization to improve operational efficiency.     

Farm size and land-use policy: An oregon case study

Farmland conversion has become an important public policy issue in the United States and in many other countries. An important part of policy considerations in farmland protection programs is the minimum parcel size for farm-related land divisions and dwelling units. The rationale for establishing size thresholds varies considerably among jurisdictions. This article reviews the policies and criteria used in the United States and several other countries, discusses the policy implications of different types of objectives, and presents the results of a case study in Oregon. The case study was the first attempt by an Oregon county to articulate a set of measurable criteria to quantify a definition of commercial agriculture for land-use applications. The criteria and data base used in the model provide a systematic procedure to process permit applications in an objective, consistent manner. The ordinance was adopted in February 1988 and has worked successfully since that time. The article summarizes permit activity under the new ordinance and comments on its effectiveness.