An integrated optimization and rule-based approach for predictive real time control of urban stormwater management systems

A smart decision making framework for stormwater management systems is designed through predictive real-time control (RTC) of the outlet gate of a stormwater basin. The proposed framework offers a cost-effective non-structural solution for dynamically controlling stormwater basins through manipulating the outlet gate and providing optimized outflow set-points. An integrated RTC optimization and rule-based approach is designed to mitigate the impact of the discharged runoff on the receiving watercourse, both in terms of quantity and quality. In this approach, the optimization part provides the optimized outflow set-points for the basin to minimize peak flows during the wet periods, while the rule-based part controls the quality of the discharged water, through sedimentation, by increasing the detention time. Various rainfall data series are used as inputs for a case study stormwater basin to verify the performance of the proposed methodology. The efficiency of the stormwater basin in reducing peak flows and improving the quality of outflow was estimated by comparing, respectively, the peak flows and detention times of the integrated RTC strategy with those of a static approach. The results showed an improved quantity and quality control performance for the studied stormwater basin, in comparison to the static control approach, both in current climate conditions with a peak flow reduction from 73 to 95% and detention times varying from 16 to 30 h, and in future climate conditions with an averagely reduction of 76% in peak flows and an average detention time of 19 h.