Dual-Interval Two-Stage Optimization for Flood Management and Risk Analyses

In this study, a dual interval two-stage restricted-recourse programming (DITRP) method is developed for flood-diversion planning under uncertainty. Compared with other conventional methods, DITRP improves upon them by addressing system uncertainties with complex presentations and incorporating subjective information within its optimization framework. Uncertainties in DITRP can be represented as probability distributions and intervals. In addition, the dual-interval concept is presented when the available information is highly uncertain for boundaries of intervals. Moreover, decision makers’ attitudes towards system risk can be reflected using a restricted-resource measure by controlling the variability of the recourse cost. The method has been applied to a case study of flood management. The results indicate that reasonable solutions for planning flood management practice have been generated which are related to decisions of flood-diversion. Several policy scenarios are analyzed, assisting in gaining insight into the tradeoffs between risk and cost. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009