Operators have a crucial role in case of an emergency in a process facility. When an abnormality occurs in the process, the operator has a limited time to take corrective actions before system safety devices shut down the operation. It is crucial that system designers and safety professionals know about this required time frame before operations are initiated. Specific research goals for this project include the following: * Estimating the standard time data for operators to take corrective actions in emergency situations. * Developing a modeling system, to allow design/process engineers to find the standard time required for the operator(s) to respond in emergency situations. Current standard time data for carrying out tasks cover normal, steady state cases. However, the time required to take action in emergency situations is different than normal cases. Because of the possibility of a process incident and danger, operators make corrective actions faster compared to normal cases. Therefore, current standard time data do not meet the requirement for emergency situations. Shorter standard time data for emergency situations needs to be estimated. Standard time data for emergency situations is estimated by using time studies. Various time study methods were introduced and discussed. MODAPTS is a predetermined time standard method and stands for Modular Arrangement of Predetermined Time Standards, and was used in this project because it is reliable, easy to use and consistent. The methodology adopted for the study required observing several emergency case videos. The operations were decomposed into basic motions (such as walking, hand movement, bend and arise, etc.) by using a video player’s frame by frame feature. The amount of time required to take these basic motions was estimated. These estimated times were then compared to calculations based on MODAPTS, which is a predetermined time standard system. By comparing MODAPTS’s standard time intervals with those estimated from emergency situations, ratios or coefficients have been estimated for the various basic motions (e.g., factors such as 0.9, 0.75, etc.). The estimated coefficients for emergency situations, which are generally around 0.65, were used in developing a modeling system. The user of this modeling system can estimate the required time to take corrective actions in emergency situations as long as he/ she knows the actions need to be taken. Consequently, the time required to take necessary actions in emergency operations will be designed and evaluated in a systematic way to reduce the potential, as well as duration, of an incident.

Thesis (M.S. in Computer Science)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2004. / Thesis advisor(s): Geoffrey Xie. Includes bibliographical references (p. 131-132). Also available online.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2003. / Typescript. Bibliographical references: leaf 201-211.

Thesis (M.Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 47-49). Also available in electronic version.

Water plays a critical role in every aspect of civilization: agriculture, industry, economy, environment, recreation, transportation, culture, and health. Much of America's drinking water and wastewater infrastructure; however, is old and deteriorating. A crisis looms as demands on these systems increase. The costs associated with renewal of these aging systems are staggering. There is a critical disconnect between the methodological remedies for infrastructure renewal problems and the current sequential or isolated manner of renewal analysis and execution. This points to the need for a holistic systems perspective to address the renewal problem. Therefore, new tools are needed to provide support for wastewater infrastructure decisions. Such decisions are necessary to sustain economic growth, environmental quality, and improved societal benefits. Accurate prediction of wastewater pipe structural and functional deterioration plays an essential role in asset management and capital improvement planning. The key to implementing an asset management strategy is a comprehensive understanding of asset condition, performance, and risk profile. The primary objective of this research is therefore to develop protocols and methods for evaluating the wastewater pipe performance. This research presents the life cycle of wastewater pipeline identifying the causes of pipe failure in different phases including design, manufacture, construction, operation and maintenance, and repair/rehabilitation/replacement. Various modes and mechanisms of pipe failure in wastewater pipes were identified for different pipe material which completed with results from extensive literature reviews, and interviews with utilities and pipe associations. After reviewing all relevant reports and utility databases, a set of standard pipe parameter list (data structure) and a pipe data collection methodology were developed. These parameters includes physical/structural, operational/functional, environmental and other parameters, for not only the pipe, but also the entire pipe system. This research presents a development of a performance index for wastewater pipes. The performance index evaluates each parameter and combines them mathematically through a weighted summation and a fuzzy inference system that reflects the importance of the various factors. The performance index were evaluated based on artificial data and field data to ensure that the index could be implemented to real scenarios. Developing a performance index led to the development of a probabilistic performance prediction model for wastewater pipes. A framework would enable effective and systematic wastewater pipe performance evaluation and prediction in asset management programs. / Ph. D.

Availability of organized data is required for accurate prediction of structural or functional deterioration in sewer and water pipes. Toward this end, GIS provides a means for viewing, understanding, interpreting, and visualizing complex geographically referenced information to reveal data relationships, patterns, and trends. The primary objective of this research is to develop a standard GIS data model and applications of the model. In the future, these can be used to develop protocols and methods for predicting the remaining life of water and wastewater assets. The source data for this study is the utility data and other publicly available data from resources such as USGS, SSURGO etc. Field mapping files are generated from the source files and the standard data model. These are then programmed to the common Extensible markup Language (XML) file developed as a base which is then converted to the data model where the final form of utility data is stored. The data taken from the utilities is cleansed and analyzed to match the standard data model which is then uploaded through the common XML and stored in the data warehouse as a geospatial database. The geospatial database is an aggregated water and wastewater infrastructure data consisting of the utility data in standard data model format. The data warehouse is developed for utilities to store their data at a centralized server, such as the San Diego Super Computer Center. Web applications demonstrate the publishing, querying and visualization of aggregated data in a map-based browser application. This aggregation of data of multiple utilities will help in providing timely access to asset management information and resources that will lead to more efficient programs. This tool also furnishes the public with a convenient tool to learn about municipal water and wastewater infrastructure systems. This document gives an overview of how this process can be achieved using the above mentioned tools and methodologies. / Master of Science

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 20-23, 2003 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / The Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) is an international organization of national space agencies that is branching out to provide new standards to enhanced reuse of spacecraft equipment and software. These Spacecraft Onboard Interface (SOIF) standards will be directed towards a spacecraft architecture, as a distributed system of processors and busses. This paper will review the services that are being proposed for SOIF. These services include a Command and Data Acquisition Service, a Time Distribution Service, a Message Transfer Service, a File Transfer Service, and a CCSDS Packet Service. An Instrument & Subsystem “Plug & Play Service is currently under study, but is included in this paper for completeness.

The introduction of algorithms has for companies led to new ways of marketing themselves. However, access to personal data is needed for a company to successfully use an algorithm, which means companies can trade with our personal data. Personal data is therefore no longer used solely for nonprofit purposes but has rather acquired a financial value. This has led to new challenges in terms of third country transfer of personal data, which requires legislation that can effectively protect personal data. Within the EU, the General Data Protection Legislation (GDPR) regulates how personal data can be transferred to a third country. Article 45 GDPR, which contains the first requirement for third country transfers, states that transfers are only permitted based on an adequacy decision issued by the Commission. On the basis, inter alia, of the annulment of the Safe Harbor decision, by the European Court of Justice, and the criticism that has been addressed towards the Privacy Shield decision, questions are raised if there are reason for companies to make third country transfers based on the alternative provisions in article 46 and article 49 GDPR. The aim of this thesis is to examine the possibilities of making third country transfers according to articles 45, 46 and 49 GDPR by making a comparison that has been made from an individual- and company perspective. The research questions have been focused on the content of the adequacy decisions concerning USA, Switzerland, Canada, Israel and Japan, a review of the legal basis for third country transfers stated in articles 46 and 49 GDPR, as well as benefits and drawbacks with applying the grounds set forth in articles 46 and 49 GDPR rather than applying an adequacy decision pursuant to article 45 GDPR. In conclusion, it may be noted that the adequacy decisions that have been discussed leave room for doubt in relation to the level of protection that is guaranteed in the GDPR. This gives reason for companies to consider application of article 46 and article 49 GDPR. There are several benefits and drawbacks with such considerations including the size of the company and its financial recourses affecting which appropriate safeguard in article 46 GDPR is the most suitable safeguard to use. Furthermore, the derogations in article 49 GDPR may, in theory and in practice, be very difficult to apply instead of article 45 and article 46 GDPR since the derogations focuses on specific situations and must be used restrictively. The findings in this thesis however leads to the conclusion that there are several reasons for companies to consider application of article 46 GDPR instead of article 45 GDPR.