October, 2017
Urban flood nowcasting system
Cities are becoming more vulnerable to flooding because of rapid urbanization and increasing rainfall extremes due to climate change. There is an increasing need for flood forecasting and warning systems for cities. Local authorities, however, often lack both the required expertise and tools to set up such systems. We offer the technology and support to set up flood warning and real-time control systems to minimize flood risks.
The system provides real-time nowcasts (= short term forecasts) of extreme precipitation and urban flooding. It consists of four components: a real-time nowcasting system for extreme precipitation based on high-resolution radar data from compact X-band radar, a hybrid data and model based system for urban inundation modelling, a risk assessment module, and a warning system. The nowcasting system is applicable to any city or urban area.
Technology demonstrated in relevant environment.
Representative model or prototype system, which is well beyond that of TRL 5, is tested in a relevant environment. Represents a major step up in a technology’s demonstrated readiness. Examples include testing a prototype in a high-fidelity laboratory environment or in a simulated operational environment.
Representative model or prototype system, which is well beyond that of TRL 5, is tested in a relevant environment. Represents a major step up in a technology’s demonstrated readiness. Examples include testing a prototype in a high-fidelity laboratory environment or in a simulated operational environment.
A prototype system has been tested for the city of Ghent, Belgium.
How does it work?
The urban flood nowcasting system makes use of 4 innovative components. (1) A system for extreme precipitation short-term forecasting applying X-band radar technology. (2) A fast and computationally efficient urban flood modelling and mapping system, based on a hybrid data/model based approach. A detailed 1D-2D nested model for the urban drainage system and the surface runoff and inundation system is complemented by a surrogate conceptual framework for fast and efficient computation. (3) Urban flood risk assessment applying functions describing the socio-economic consequences, specifically valid for urban areas. (4) A warning system, taking uncertainties in the extreme rainfall and urban inundation nowcasts into account.
By logging in you can access to more detailed information on the innovation