WRRCTMR No.59 A Print-Plot Display System for a Linear Programming-Based Resources Planning Model

Abstract

Many resource planning models have been developed, but few have been implemented. Frequently, months are needed to prepare inputs for a few seconds of analysis. The analysis output again requires weeks of plotting for easy comprehension. Although analysis time has been reduced drastically, preparation of inputs and display of outputs have become bottlenecks to most resource models. Planning is usually an iterative process. Original inputs must be frequently referenced to generate new planning actions. For example, transferring of water from wet to dry areas requires study of existing water supply conditions spatially. Creating an efficient input data basis for fast retrieval and display will speed up the planning process. The iterative process generates a large volume of output which must be quickly displayed, a fact which requires a fast display system. A print-plot display system for both inputs and outputs was developed to improve. the planning process based on the resource model developed earlier by Liang (1976, 1978).