An expert system on site selection of sanitary landfill

2006-2007 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishe

Application of remote sensing to state and regional problems

The author has identified the following significant results. The Lowndes County data base is essentially complete with 18 primary variables and 16 proximity variables encoded into the geo-information system. The single purpose, decision tree classifier is now operational. Signatures for the thematic extraction of strip mines from LANDSAT Digital data were obtained by employing both supervised and nonsupervised procedures. Dry, blowing sand areas of beach were also identified from the LANDSAT data. The primary procedure was the analysis of analog data on the I2S signal slicer

Site Suitability Analysis for an Intermountain Solid Waste Facility: A Study for Cache County, Utah

The goal of this project was to analyze Cache County for potential sanitary landfill sites covering the period 2020 to 2120. The county population and per capita solid waste were estimated. The minimum landfill size was then calculated. A geographic information system (GIS) was used for data storage and vii analysis. Relevant data were gathered. Areas which would not support a landfill were eliminated. Remaining sites were rated as having slight, moderate, or severe restrictions for use as an area method sanitary landfill based on the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Sanitary Facility Report, and the NRCS Soil Interpretations Rating Guide. Seventeen sites were designated as sites for further evaluation. A landfill ranking system giving a primary and/or secondary rating to data items was developed. Nine prime sites had one secondary (.,a ting. These sites should be more closely investigated to determine which are the best potential sites. (136 pages

Prototype expert system for site selection of a sanitary landfill

Author name used in this publication: K. W. ChauTitle on pre-published version: A prototype expert system for site selection of a sanitary landfill2005-2006 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishe

The use of remote sensing in solving Florida's geological and coastal engineering problems

LANDSAT imagery and NASA high altitude color infrared (CIR) photography were used to select suitable sites for sanitary landfill in Volusia County, Florida and to develop techniques for preventing sand deposits in the Clearwater inlet. Activities described include the acquisition of imagery, its analysis by the IMAGE 100 system, conventional photointerpretation, evaluation of existing data sources (vegetation, soil, and ground water maps), site investigations for ground truth, and preparation of displays for reports

An evaluation of computerized systems for acceleration of interpretations from soil surveys and other resource information

Basically, two questions prompted this study: (1) is a digital soils data base needed? and, if so, (2) which system or systems can handle and present soils information most efficiently and effectively? Objectives were: (1) to identify needs and problems of a digital soils database, (2) to evaluate many systems for handling soils information, and (3) to choose systems and use them to demonstrate the capabilities of computer-assisted spatial analysis and mapping systems in handling soil information. Computerized soil surveys and digital soils data bases are needed because soils information is used in the planning process for nearly all types of development. Since original soil surveys may be complex, simplified presentation should be directed to each of many users. The needs and problems surrounding the development and use of a digital soils data base were assembled. On 55 systems out of more than a hundred systems as much information as possible was assembled from published literature, company brochures, and response to questionnaires. Questionnaires were returned from 50 Soil Conservation Service (SCS) state offices, 30 Land Grant Universities, and 4 SCS Technical Service Centers. To demonstrate how data are stored, manipulated, and retrieved from a computer-assisted system, the two systems chosen for further consideration and extensive testing were the Map Information Assembly and Display System (MIADS) and the Information Manipulation System for Grid Cell Data Structure (IMGRID). MIADS was used by the SCS state office in Nashville, Tennessee, and TVA\u27s Natural Resource Service at Norris, Tennessee, had IMGRID. MIADS had interactive editing capabilities; IMGRID did not. The two systems were tested on a five minute (approximately 6900 hectares) portion of the Concord Quadrangle covering parts of Loudon, Knox, and Blount counties in Tennessee. These computer-assisted systems were used to join soil survey information from three counties into one project area. Grid cells of 1.08 hectares (2.68 acres) were used for both systems. Most of the encoded data were taken from soil surveys. However, land use was determined partly in the field and partly from interpretations of 1975 aerial photo graphs and a 1968 revised topographic map. The capabilities of MIADS and IMGRID were demonstrated by using encoded soils data along with other information from topographic maps. Interpretive and single factor maps such as suitability for farmland, depth to bedrock, land capability class, and slope were produced to show how detailed soils information can be simplified for a particular user. Both MIADS and IMGRID were used for combining land use with soil interpretations to show how different kinds of farmland are used. IMGRID was used to combine proximity to roads, streams, and residential development with interpretations from soils to show suitable landfill sites. Potential landfill sites not conflicting with development were also displayed with IMGRID, but this could not be done with MIADS. Patterns on IMGRID maps are easier to see than those on MIADS line printer maps because of the overprinting capabilities of IMGRID. However, IMGRID patterns become more difficult to see as the number of classes increases. Maps with 3 to 5 classes are much easier to comprehend than those with 10 or more classes. Of the two systems selected to demonstrate the capabilities of computerized systems, IMGRID was capable of performing more analyses than MIADS. Thus more kinds of information could be handled and presented using IMGRID. However, because of the greater volume of data processed by IMGRID the total cost of encoding, keypunching, and other operations was greater than for MIADS. Direct comparison of costs for the same operation could not be made because the way of charging for processing differed between the SCS computing center in Nashville and the TVA computing center in Morris. Evaluation of the maps and supporting materials produced by the two systems leads to the conclusion that IMGRID is definitely a more effective system for processing resource information. Further investigation of costs would be needed to determine how much is saved by MIADS

Influence of the design on slope stability in solid waste landfills

This paper presents, firstly, the influence of the geometry of a slope in the safety factor (SF). In order to do this, the SF is compared among three types of slopes: with berms every 7 m high and a dam at the toe, without berms and with a dam at the toe, and without berms nor dams. It was observed that, for the same inclination, the berms do not significantly influence the stability. However, the construction of an earth dam at the base increases safety, especially with little height and slope in waste with poor mechanical properties. On the other hand, a set of diagrams to learn, quickly and easily, the safety factor of a landfill slope has been developed. Thus, this set of diagrams allows calculations from the SF height (from 17 to 80 m) and slope inclination (from 45° to 14°) with values of effective cohesion of the waste (C'o) from 1 to 3 t/m2 and effective friction angle (F') of 10° to 25°

An overview of municipal solid waste management in Jaipur city, India - Current status, challenges and recommendations

In developing countries, urbanization and rapid population growth has resulted in a substantial increase in generation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). Safe collection, transportation and treatment of MSW are among the major issues for Indian cities. Poor MSW management practices have negative impact on public health, environment and climate change. India currently only treats 21% of MSW while the remainder disposed in unsanitary landfill sites with no recycling and treatment technologies. This paper reviews the existing MSW management practices, challenges and provides recommendations for improving MSW management for the city of Jaipur in Rajasthan, India. Despite being the state capital as well as the top tourist destination in northern part of India, there is no detailed study which reviews the waste management strategies of this city along with identifying the key challenges. The study reveals that the major challenges for MSW management in Jaipur include uncontrolled landfilling, inadequate public participation as well as failings of implementation of MSW legislation and waste conversion. Recommendations for improvement include public awareness campaigns, public-private partnership, investment in lined landfills, recycling and waste to energy techniques. Optimization models and life cycle assessment tools should be employed to minimize cost and the environmental impact of MSW management. This study will provide policy makers and private sector stakeholders to develop strategies for future planning, investment and execution of improved MSW management in Indian cities

Cornell University remote sensing program

Aircraft and satellite remote sensing technology were applied in the following areas: (1) evaluation of proposed fly ash disposal sites; (2) development of priorities for drainage improvements; (3) state park analysis for rehabilitation and development; (4) watershed study for water quality planning; and (5) assistance project-landfill site selection. Results are briefly summarized. Other projects conducted include: (1) assessment of vineyard-related problems; (2) LANDSAT analysis for pheasant range management; (3) photo-historic evaluation of Revolutionary War sites; and (4) thermal analysis of building insulation. The objectives, expected benefits and actions, and status of these projects are described