developing a tool for assessing cost effective best

Developing a Tool for Assessing Cost Effective Best Management Practices for

Resilient Communities

2010 Northern Gulf Institute Annual ConferenceMay 18-20, 2010 Mobile, Alabama

Department of Landscape Architecture

G. Wayne Wilkerson Associate Professor

Dr. Timothy Schauwecker Assistant Professor

Warren Gallo Assistant Professor

Department ofCivil and Environmental Engineering

Dr. James Martin Professor

Dr. William McAnally Research Professor

Germaina Salazar-Mejia Research Assistant

Act One“The Exposition”

2010 NGI Proposal Objectives

• Refine LIDIA Spreadsheet Interfaceo Initial work funded from other sourceso Concept generated from a 2008 survey

• Link Spreadsheet Interface to Spatial Model

• Update BMP Data base

• Product: o Excel based tool with graphical interface to help

development industry evaluate BMP effectiveness

Origins

• Survey targeted a portion of NGI region • Distributed twice via e-mail• Civil Engineers, Landscape Architects,

Planners• Approximately 1,200 recipients• 141 responses received • Results positive

• Question: If A user-friendly site planning tool can be designed to effectively simulate pre- and post-development runoff, calculate pollutant loading rates in runoff, propose BMP/LID stormwater solutions, and compute costs of implementing such strategies for sites located in the southeastern U.S. would you use it?

• Approach: On-line survey• Implemented: Summer

2008

Source: Austin Moore

Survey Results


The LIDIA Tool

Low Impact Development Implementation Assessment


Current Phase

Step One…Project• Site Data input:

– Project information– Site parameters

• Size (acres)• Hydraulic Length (ft)• Slope (%)

– Precipitation data– Design Storm Selection

– Site parameters• Size (acres)• Hydraulic Length

(ft)• Slope (%)

– Precipitation dataSource: Austin Moore

Step Two…• Land Use/Land Cover Characterization:

– Cover Type– Hydrologic Soil Group– Area size (ft²)

• Weighted CN generated• Computations made via SCS Runoff CN

method (USDA, 1986)

• d

Current Phase


Current Phase

Step Three…• Pre-developed versus post-

developed conditions• Storm event:

– Runoff volumes– Peak flows– Hydrographs

• Annual runoff and infiltration amounts


MapWindows™•MapWinGIS ActiveX Control

•Open Source Component

•Complete GIS API for Shapefile and

Grid Data

•Built in GIS features

Google Earth ?

Graphical Interface

ArcView™ Interface

MapWindow™

BMP Database

Began as a TVA Project

Five Worksheets• BMP Selection • Removal Efficiencies• Cost Data• Maintenance Data• Infiltration Data

Current Version Contains:• 275 Research Citations• 52 BMP Types

Source: James Martin

• Spatial Component– MapWindow is currently being considered as an option to assist users

in determining spatial values such size– MapWindow is a public domain, extensible GIS data visualization

application• Available: http://www.mapwindow.org

• Pollutant loading computations (TN, TP)• Database selection of BMPs

– Descriptions including performance capabilities (removal efficiencies) and costs

– Will allow the user to implement various configurations to evaluate effectiveness

• Costing component– Construction and Maintenance– Traditional versus LID/BMP solutions

• Eventually a WEB based solution

LIDIA Going Forward

Act Two“ The Main Story”

But at the end of the day…

So What?• Why should this project be funded?

• Why is it important to the NGI?

NGI Research Themes

ClimateEcosystem Management

Geospatial/Visualization

Hazards/Resiliency

“Integration is a guiding principle for NGI - integration of upland, waterway, coastal and coastal ocean processes; integration of scientific and technical disciplines and institutions; integration of physical, biological, and social sciences data; and harvesting value from integrating NOAA and NGI strengths and resources.”

“Research focuses on four themes that provide a framework for the activities of NGI aligned with NOAA's research and operational focuses. The NGI Research Themes are: Ecosystem-based Management, Geospatial Data/Information and Visualization in Environmental Science, Climate Change and Climate Variability Effects on Regional Ecosystems, Coastal Hazards and Resiliency.”

Source: NGI Website

Spatial Area Impacting NGI

ClimateEcosystem Management


Hazards/Resiliency


Hazards/Resiliency

Integration? Then What?

Climate

Ecosystem Management

How Do We Harvest Value?

• By solving site specific problems using the expertise and resources of the NGI, identified in the four research areas.

• This research initiative (NGI) has reached a maturity where there should be outcomes (value) that solve problems encountered by the general public in a way that improves their quality of life.


Hazards/Resiliency

Climate

Ecosystem Management

…………………………………………………..…

• Hydrologist

• Biologist

• Ag Economist

• Environmental Engineer

•Climatologist

General Public

• Engineers

• Planners (Public Sector)

• Landscape Architects

• Construction Industry

• Sustainability Experts

Research World

How can NGI Address Current Issues ?

…………………………………………………..…How can NGI Address Current Issues ?

• Problem: – How to improve water quality and reduce infrastructure costs

(resiliency) for new construction in the NGI service area.

• Solution: – Use LIDIA to make a pre-assessment of the construction

approach .– Assess alternative water quality BMPs. – Assess cost factors.– Assess sizing constraints.– Implement solution.– Aimed at the design/construction industry.

Case Study: LIDIA

Why have BMPs not been embraced?

• 2008 survey result


How to modify behavior?

• Data– More test sites– More types of BMPs tested– Improved data collections

• Education– Modified university curriculums– Workshops– Continuing education credits– Include in local ordinances

Act Three“ The Dénoument”

Potential Test Sites

•Coastal Zone (III)oOcean SpringsoPascagoula

•Central (II)oJacksonoRidgeland

•North (I)oHernandooHorn Lake

•StarkvilleSource: DEQ 2001 Manual

Starkville Test Site

Source: Cory Gallo

Existing and Proposed

Before

6 Year Plan Source: Cory Gallo

Source: Cory Gallo

Phase 1 – Bio-Infiltration

Source: Cory Gallo

• 9 ft wide•3:1 side slopes/ 12” storage•Mix:

•33% sand•33% organic•33 % topsoil

Completed June 2009

Phase 2 – Sand Filter

Sand filters, also known as organic filters, are devices that filter stormwater runoff through a sand layer into an under drain system that conveys the treated runoff to a detention facility or to the ultimate point of discharge. The sand-bed filtration system consists of an inlet structure, sedimentation chamber, sand bed, under drain piping, and liner to protect against infiltration (Idaho DEQ).

Source: Judd England

Source: Wayne Wilkerson

Completed May 2010

Back to the original question…

So What?• The model (LIDIA), partially funded through

NGI/NOAA, has the ability to integrate data produced by multiple research themes.

• The demonstration sites can educate the design industry, making their products more resilient.

• The demonstration sites can also generate NGI research data, filling a void.

• …. A good example of harvesting value? I think so.

developing a tool for assessing cost effective best

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