Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />(Figure 10). Only 100 or so of these systems are now automated, but recent <br /> <br />developments in automated systems have led to their increasing popularity. It <br />is estimated that 500 automated systems will be in operation within this <br />decade. <br /> <br />. I <br /> <br />G.l. Manual Syst_ <br />The most common flood warning systems are manual or self-help systems that <br /> <br />typically use volunteer observers and inexpensive equipment to collect data. <br /> <br />Data transmission is normally by phone. The flood forecast uses a manual <br /> <br />system such as the one shown in Figure 9. The following table lists the <br />advantages and disadvantages of a manual system. <br /> <br />Manual Syst.... <br /> <br />Advanta>tes <br />o Simple to operate <br /> <br />Disadvanta>tes <br />o Costly delays in data collection/ <br /> <br />warning dissemination for short-fused <br /> <br />flood events with short lead times <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />o Inexpensive <br /> <br />o Encourages high level <br />of community involvement <br /> <br />o High turnover rate of community volunteers, <br /> <br />leading to reduced effectiveness <br /> <br />o Not as timely or accurate as <br /> <br />automated systems <br /> <br />o Volunteers - requires training and <br /> <br />retraining <br /> <br />G.2. Automated Syst_ <br />Communities are increasingly turning to automated systems as their costs <br /> <br />decline and their reliability increases. Systems vary as to which and how <br /> <br />37 <br />