Multi-objective optimization of typhoon inundation forecast models with cross-site structures for a water-level gauging network by integrating ARMAX with a genetic algorithm

Abstract. The forecasting of inundation levels during typhoons requires that multiple objectives be taken into account, including the forecasting capacity with regard to variations in water level throughout the entire weather event, the accuracy that can be attained in forecasting peak water levels, and the time at which peak water levels are likely to occur. This paper proposed a means of forecasting inundation levels in real time using monitoring data from a water-level gauging network. ARMAX was used to construct water-level forecast models for each gauging station using input variables including cumulative rainfall and water-level data from other gauging stations in the network. Analysis of the correlation between cumulative rainfall and water-level data makes it possible to obtain the appropriate accumulation duration of rainfall and the time lags associated with each gauging station. Analyses on cross-site water levels as well as on cumulative rainfall enable the identification of associate sites pertaining to each gauging station that share high correlations with regard to water level and low mutual information with regard to cumulative rainfall. Water-level data from the identified associate sites are used as a second input variable for the water-level forecast model of the target site. Three indices were considered in the selection of an optimal model: the coefficient of efficiency (CE), error in the stage of peak water level (ESP), and relative time shift (RTS). A multi-objective genetic algorithm was employed to derive an optimal Pareto set of models capable of performing well in the three objectives. A case study was conducted on the Xinnan area of Yilan County, Taiwan, in which optimal water-level forecast models were established for each of the four water-level gauging stations in the area. Test results demonstrate that the model best able to satisfy ESP exhibited significant time shift, whereas the models best able to satisfy CE and RTS provide accurate forecasts of inundations when variations in water level are less extreme.