Results of modelling and prediction of urban pluvial flooding

In order to conduct real-time simulations of urban storm water models, it is necessary to automatically link rainfall inputs to hydrological/hydraulic models, and to other data sources (e.g. water depth monitor data). Moreover, it is important to have interfaces which enable effective visualisation of results. Several alternatives/tools exist to perform these functions. Some of them correspond to “in-house” linkage of input data and models which are developed for a specific application (e.g. Vieux et al. (2005), Achleitner et al. (2009), Coors et al. (2012)), whereas others use existing open shell systems which allow managing and integration of time-series data (including rainfall inputs, runoff records, etc.) and modelling processes (e.g. Delft-FEWS (Deltares, 2008), UrbanFlood Common Information Space (Balis et al., 2011), FloodWorks (Innovyze, 2005), InfoWorks ICM Live (Innovyze, 2013)).

During the RainGain project, two approaches for automatic linkage of rainfall inputs to urban drainage models and subsequent real-time simulations were tested and documented. Click on the links below to access additional information about these approaches.

• Delft-FEWS Platform: Delft-FEWS provides an open shell system for managing forecasting processes and/or handling time series data. It was developed by Deltares and is freely available. It incorporates a wide range of general data handling utilities, while providing an open interface to any external models. It has a modular structure which makes it flexible and highly configurable, thus allowing its effective use in simple as well as complex systems. The Delft-FEWS system was developed using Java, but is fully configurable through open XML (Extensible Markup Language) formatted configuration files. Moreover, it can either be deployed in a stand-alone, manually driven environment, or in a fully automated distributed client-server environment. For the RainGain Project the standalone setup was considered more appropriate. A full customisation was completed for the Cranbrook pilot catchment (UK), whereas basic customisations were implemented for pilot locations in other countries. During the project two tutorial sessions were held whereby participants were instructed in (1) Basic customisation of the platform including definition of locations and filters and import and visualisation of telemetry data; (2) Handling of spatial data and connection of external algorithms to the DELFT-FEWS platform. The training material developed for these tutorial sessions, including instructions as well as customised configuration files, can be downloaded from the following links. Additional information: Overview of the Delft-FEWS platform; Delft-FEWS customisation for RainGain pilot locations; Delft-FEWS RainGain Customised Tutorial 1 (locations, import and visualisation of telemetry); Delft-FEWS RainGain Customised Tutorial 2 (Handling of spatial data and connection of external algorithms). In order to obtain Delft-FEWS installation files the reader must contact Deltares directly.

• InfoWorks ICM Live: As an extension of the (proprietary) InfoWorks ICM software suite, ICM Live enables real time simulation (including forecasting) of urban drainage systems. All input data streams (e.g. real-time rainfall data from gauges and/or radars, real-time observations of flows and depths, forecasted rainfall data) can be loaded and configured within the familiar ICM user interface. These are then linked to urban drainage models, implemented in InfoWorks ICM. Model results can be processed and viewed in real-time according to user defined criteria and can be used for generating alerts and warnings. A basic configuration was tested by Aquafin for the Herent catchment (BE).  Awaiting a fully operational integration of forecast models that were developed in the framework of the Raingain project, the simulations are currently limited to hindcast mode. Additional information (will be available soon): Presentation of the Aquafin ICM Live implementation.