Abstract
In earlier research on leakage in buried water pipelines, the authors attempted to determine the optimal deployment of a given number (k) of leak sensors on gate valves and fire hydrants (optimization of the k-median problem). Two methods were presented for formulating the proposed deployment optimization planning model, standard and improved models. Based on case studies, it was concluded that the improved model resulted in an alternative planning proposal with a more balanced deployment of sensors than the standard model. The study was not able, however, to provide sufficient verification of the effectiveness of the improved model, since the pipeline network considered was a virtual and simple system. The present study first of all targets an actual pipeline network, extracting its pipeline and valve information from the waterworks geographic information system (GIS) and applying this information to the deployment optimization planning model. Second, as a means of evaluating the alternative planning proposal obtained from model application, the study quantifies the standard deviation in the length of pipeline covered by each sensor deployed in the network. The new study shows that even when applied to a more complex pipeline system, the deployment optimization planning model is sufficiently effective.
