Using COAST Assessment Tools

The COAST Model

The COAST model can be used to manage assets with regard to specific climate change scenarios, such as sea level rise, coastal area flooding, and local disaster projection. The user can create a specific exceedance curve attaching probability of occurrence to water-level rise for a given climate change scenario over a certain time period. Multiple climate change and adaptation scenarios, each with multiple time periods, are possible (e.g., 2020, 2040, 2070, and 2100). The COAST model calculates the expected value (EV) of the damages for that climate change scenario and cumulative damages over the time period leading up to the event. 

The COAST model requires three categories of data. 

1. Spatial data representing land elevation and assets to be modeled. 
2. Model scenarios that are tied specifically to the spatial data.  These scenarios define the storms, sea-level rise and adaptations used to produce the model outputs.
   
3. Model parameters that control the execution of the model, but are not tied to specific data layers.  This includes definitions of exceedance curves, base water level, and adaptations.  It also includes a depth-damage function (DDF) for each asset and adaptation strategy. A DDF defines the percentage of the assets value that is lost for each increment in flood depth, and is used to calculate the EV for damages.
   

Once the input layers, climate-change scenario, and DDFs have been identified, the tool will produce the following outputs:

1. A KML layer showing the flooded area and the calculated damages for the defined flooding scenario. The assets will be extruded to indicate the relative amount of damages.
2. A KML layer showing the flooded area based only on rise in sea level (without storm surge) for the scenario.  The assets in this area are permanently flooded.
   
3. An Excel spreadsheet containing the cumulative expected damages for the base "no action" scenario, and for each specified adaptation.
   

Once the input layers, climate-change scenario, and DBFs have been identified, the tool will produce the following outputs:

1. A KML layer showing the flooded area and the calculated benefits for the defined flooding scenario. The assets will be extruded to indicate the relative amount of damages.
2. A KML layer showing the flooded area based only on rise in sea level for the scenario.  The assets in this area are permanently flooded.
   
3. An Excel spreadsheet containing the cumulative expected benefits for the base "no action" scenario, for each sea-level rise scenario selected, and for each specified adaptation.
   

COAST Assessment Tools

• Model Parameters
• Running the One-Time Storm Event Model
• Running the Cumulative Damage Model
• Editing Asset Definitions

Model Parameters

The Edit Model Parameters dialog allows you to create or modify definitions for the following model parameters:

• Exceedance Curve
  
• Eustatic SLR Curve
  
• Base Water Level
  
• Local SLR
  
• Depth/Damage Function
  
• Adaptations
  
  

The model parameter definitions created here can be used in both one-time event damage scenarios and cumulative damage scenarios.

Exceedance Curve

The Exceedance Curves tab on the Edit Model Parameters dialog allows you to create and modify exceedance curve definitions.  An Exceedance Curve maps storm surge to the probability of a storm of that severity happening.  For example, a "100 Year" storm would have a probability of 0.01 associated with its expected surge height, i.e., a storm of that severity usually happens once ever hundred years, or has a 1% chance of happening in any given year.

The Exceedance Curves tab contains the following fields and data:

Exceedance Curve	This is the name of the curve definition currently being edited.  To change to a different curve definition, select it from the drop-down list.  To create a new curve, click the New Curve button.
Rename...	Click the Rename... button to assign a new name to the current curve.  When you click this button, the tool will display the Rename Model Parameter dialog, where you can specify the new name.
Unit	Choose the vertical unit that is being used for the Surge Height values in the table.  Note that changing this value will not change the displayed surge height value, rather it is simply telling the model what unit the height data is using.
Definition Table	This table lists the definition for the curve.  Each line contains three items: The Recurrence Interval is a string describing how often this surge height is expected to occur during a storm.  Note that the recurrence interval strings will be used in the Recurrence Interval field on the Estimate One-Time Storm Damage dialog.  Probability contains the numeric chance that the associated storm surge will occur in a year.  The probability should match the Recurrence Interval text, e.g., if the Recurrence Interval is "10 Y", the Probability should be 0.1 (i.e., once every 10 years is a 10% chance.)  The entries in the table are sorted by the Probability field.  Enter the expected storm surge associated with the storm event in the Surge Height field.  Be sure that the value you enter is in the vertical unit specified in the Unit field. Use the Add..., Update..., and Remove buttons to modify the data in the table.
Add...	Adds a new recurrence definition to the table.  When you click the Add... button, the COAST tool pops up the Add Line Dialog.  Use this dialog to enter the definition.
Update...	When you select a line in the table, the Update... button will be enabled.  Click this button to change the data in the selected definition entry.  The tool will display the Update Line dialog with the current values filled in.  (The Update Line dialog works the same as the Add Line dialog.)
Remove	When you select a line in the table, the Remove button will be enabled.  Click this button to remove the selected line from the definition.  You will be prompted to confirm the deletion.
New Curve	Click the New Curve button to create a new Exceedance curve.  You will be prompted for a new name, and then the current definition will be cleared so a new one can be entered.
Delete urve	Click the Delete Curve button to delete the current curve definition.  You will be prompted to confirm that you want to delete the curve.

Add Line Dialog

The Add Line dialog is used to update an entry in the Exceedance Curve definition.  The COAST tool displays this dialog when you click the Add..., or Update... button on the Exceedance Curve property page.

The Add Line dialog contains the following fields and data (note that all of the fields are required):

Recurrence Interval	The Recurrence Interval is a string describing how often this surge height is expected to occur during a storm.  Note that the recurrence interval strings will be used in the Recurrence Interval field on the Estimate One-Time Storm Damage dialog.
Probability	Probability contains the numeric chance that the associated storm surge will occur in a year.  The probability should match the Recurrence Interval text, e.g., if the Recurrence Interval is "10 Y", the Probability should be 0.1 (i.e., once every 10 years is a 10% chance.)
Surge Height	Enter the expected storm surge associated with the storm event in the Surge Height field.  Be sure that the value you enter is in the vertical unit specified in the Unit field.
OK	Click the OK button to close the dialog and enter the new or updated data into the definition.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without changing the definition.

Dynamic Exceedance Curve

The Dynamic Exceedance Curves tab on the Edit Model Parameters dialog allows you to create and modify dynamic exceedance curve definitions.  An Dynamic Exceedance Curve maps storm surge to the probability of a storm of that severity happening, but allows the probability to vary over time.  While estimating damages, the COAST software will use the dynamic exceedance curve definition to create an exceedance curve for each year, as needed.  A Dynamic Exceedance Curve can be used wherever an Exceedance Curve is used -- all Exceedance Curve lists also contain Dynamic Exceedance Curves.

The Dynamic Exceedance Curves tab contains the following fields and data:

Dynamic Exceedance Curve	This is the name of the curve definition currently being edited.  To change to a different curve definition, select it from the drop-down list.  To create a new curve, click the New Curve button.
Rename...	Click the Rename... button to assign a new name to the current curve.  When you click this button, the tool will display the Rename Model Parameter dialog, where you can specify the new name.
Unit	Choose the vertical unit that is being used for the Surge Height values in the table.  Note that changing this value will not change the displayed surge height value, rather it is simply telling the model what unit the height data is using.
Definition Table	This table lists the definition for the curve.  Each line contains the following items: The Recurrence Interval is a string describing how often this surge height is expected to occur during a storm.  Note that the recurrence interval strings will be used in the Recurrence Interval field on the Estimate One-Time Storm Damage dialog.  Enter the expected storm surge associated with the storm event in the Surge Height field.  Be sure that the value you enter is in the vertical unit specified in the Unit field. <year> contains the probability that the associated storm surge will occur, associated with a year.  The definition table contains one column for each year in the dynamic exceedance curve. When calculating the exceedance curve for a particular year, COAST will use the year and probability values.  If the Interpolate probabilities between years option has been selected, the actual probability used will be calculated based on the probabilities for the closest year greater than and less than the specified year.  Otherwise, a stair-step function will be used, and the probability will be the one associated with the closest year less than the specified year. Use the Add Row..., Update Row..., and Remove Row buttons to modify the data in the table.
Add Row...	Adds a new dynamic exceedance curve entry definition to the table.  When you click the Add Row... button, the COAST tool pops up the Add Line Dialog.  Use this dialog to enter the definition.
Update Row...	When you select a line in the table, the Update Row... button will be enabled.  Click this button to change the data in the selected definition entry.  The tool will display the Update Line dialog with the current values filled in.  (The Update Line dialog works the same as the Add Line dialog.)
Remove Row	When you select a line in the table, the Remove Row button will be enabled.  Click this button to remove the selected line from the definition.  You will be prompted to confirm the deletion.
Add Year...	Click this button to use the Add Year dialog to add one or more years to the dynamic exceedance curve.   The recommend workflow is to add years before starting to add rows to the curve definition.
Remove Year...	Click the Remove Year... button to remove a year from the definition.  The year, and all of its associate probabilities will be removed.
New Curve	Click the New Curve button to create a new Exceedance curve.  You will be prompted for a new name, and then the current definition will be cleared so a new one can be entered.
Delete Curve	Click the Delete Curve button to delete the current curve definition.  You will be prompted to confirm that you want to delete the curve.

Add Line Dialog

The Add Line dialog is used to update an entry in the Exceedance Curve definition.  The COAST tool displays this dialog when you click the Add Row..., or Update Row... button on the Dynamic Exceedance Curve property page.

The Add Line dialog contains the following fields and data (note that all of the fields are required):

Recurrence Interval	The Recurrence Interval is a string describing how often this surge height is expected to occur during a storm.  Note that the recurrence interval strings will be used in the Recurrence Interval field on the Estimate One-Time Storm Damage dialog.
Surge Height	Enter the expected storm surge associated with the storm event in the Surge Height field.  Be sure that the value you enter is in the vertical unit specified in the Unit field.
<Year>	Enter the probability associated with the year.  There will be one entry for each year that has been defined for the curve.
OK	Click the OK button to close the dialog and enter the new or updated data into the definition.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without changing the definition.

Add Year Dialog

The Add Year dialog is used to put one or more new years into a dynamic exceedance curve definition.  The COAST tool displays this dialog when you click the Add Year... button on the Dynamic Exceedance Curve property page.

The Add Year dialog contains the following fields and data:

<Year>	Type one or more years, separated by commas, e.g., "2030,2050,2075".
OK	Click the OK button to close the dialog and enter the new or updated data into the definition.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without changing the definition.

Remove Year Dialog

The Remove Year dialog is used to delete a year from a dynamic exceedance curve definition.  The COAST tool displays this dialog when you click the Remove Year... button on the Dynamic Exceedance Curve property page.

The Remove Year dialog contains the following fields and data:

<Year>	Choose a year from the list.
OK	Click the OK button to close the dialog and remove the year from the definition.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without changing the definition.

Eustatic SLR

The Eustatic SLR Curves tab on the Edit Model Parameters dialog allows you to create and edit eustatic sea-level rise definitions.  Eustatic Sea-Level Rise is the expected, cumulative, global sea-level rise over a specified time period, typically split into decades.  These values are usually derived from published research, such as that published by Vermeer and Rahmstorf in 2009.

The Eustatic SLR Curves tab contains the following fields and data:

Eustatic SLR Curve	This is the name of the curve definition currently being edited.  To change to a different curve definition, select it from the drop-down list.  To create a new curve, click the New Curve button.
Rename...	Click the Rename... button to assign a new name to the current curve.  When you click this button, the tool will display the Rename Model Parameter dialog, where you can specify the new name.
Unit	Choose the vertical unit that is being used for the Sea-Level Rise values in the table.  Note that changing this value will not change the displayed sea-level rise value, rather it is telling the model what unit the height data is using.
Definition Table	This table lists the definition for the curve.  Each line contains the following items: The Year is a year from the eustatic SLR definition.  The entries in the table are sorted by the Year field. Sea-Level Rise contains the expected, cumulative sea-level rise for that year.  When you enter a sea-level rise value, be sure that the value you enter is in the vertical unit specified in the Unit field.  Use the Add..., Update..., and Remove buttons to modify the data in the table.
Add...	Adds a new SLR definition to the table.  When you click the Add... button, the COAST tool pops up the Add Line Dialog.  Use this dialog to enter the definition.
Update...	When you select a line in the table, the Update... button will be enabled.  Click this button to change the data in the selected definition entry.  The tool will display the Update Line dialog with the current values filled in.  (The Update Line dialog works the same as the Add Line dialog.)
Remove	When you select a line in the table, the Remove button will be enabled.  Click this button to remove the selected line from the definition.  You will be prompted to confirm the deletion.
New Curve	Click the New Curve button to create a new eustatic SLR curve.  You will be prompted for a new name, and then the current definition will be cleared so a new one can be entered.
Delete Curve	Click the Delete Curve button to delete the current curve definition.  You will be prompted to confirm that you want to delete the curve.

Add Line Dialog

The Add Line dialog is used to update an entry in the Eustatic SLR Curve definition.  The tool displays this dialog when you click the Add... or Update... button on the Eustatic SLR Curve property page.

The Add Line dialog contains the following fields and data (note that all of the fields are required):

Year	The Year is a year from the eustatic SLR definition.
Sea-Level Rise	Sea Level Rise contains the expected sea-level rise for the associated year.  This value will be taken from the published model data.  Be sure that the value you enter is in the vertical unit specified in the Unit field.
OK	Click the OK button to close the dialog and enter the new or updated data into the definition.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without changing the definition.

Base Water Level

The Base Water Levels tab on the Edit Model Parameters dialog allows you to create and edit base water level definitions.  Base Water Level is the value used to adjust sea level (zero elevation) to the water level used as a starting point for sea-level rise calculations.  Typically, this is mean higher high water (MHHW) or mean high tide for the area in question.

The Base Water Levels tab contains the following fields and data:

Base Water Level	This is the name of the definition currently being edited.  To change to a different definition, select it from the drop-down list.  To create a new definition, click the New Level button.
Rename...	Click the Rename... button to assign a new name to the current definition.  When you click this button, the tool will display the Rename Model Parameter dialog, where you can specify the new name.
Unit	Choose the vertical unit that is being used for the Water Level value.  Note that changing this value will not change the displayed water level value, rather it is telling the model what unit the height data is using.
Water Level (above NAVD88)	The Water Level field contains the value used to adjust zero value elevations to the starting level for sea-level rise calculations.  When you enter a water level value, be sure that the value you enter is in the vertical unit specified in the Unit field.
New Level	Click the New Level button to create a new definition.  You will be prompted for a new name, and then the current definition will be cleared so a new one can be entered.
Delete Level	Click the Delete Level button to delete the current definition.  You will be prompted to confirm that you want to delete the definition.

Local SLR

The Local Sea-Level Rise tab on the Edit Model Parameters dialog allows you to create and edit local SLR definitions.  Local Sea-Level Rise is the water level increase per year specific to a local area, sometimes based on subsidence.

The Local Sea-Level Rise tab contains the following fields and data:

Local SLR	This is the name of the definition currently being edited.  To change to a different definition, select it from the drop-down list.  To create a new definition, click the New Local SLR button.
Rename...	Click the Rename... button to assign a new name to the current definition.  When you click this button, the tool will display the Rename Model Parameter dialog, where you can specify the new name.
Unit	Choose the vertical unit that is being used for the SLR value.  Note that changing this value will not change the displayed local SLR value, rather it is telling the model what unit the height data is using.
SLR per Year (above NAVD88)	The SLR per Year field contains the value for yearly water-level rise specific to the local area.  When you enter a SLR value, be sure that the value you enter is in the vertical unit specified in the Unit field.
New Local SLR	Click the New Local SLR button to create a new definition.  You will be prompted for a new name, and then the current definition will be cleared so a new one can be entered.
Delete Local SLR	Click the Delete Local SLR button to delete the current definition.  You will be prompted to confirm that you want to delete the definition.

Depth Damage Function

The Depth/Damage Functions tab on the Edit Model Parameters dialog allows you to create and edit depth/damage function definitions. A Depth/Damage Function (DDF) maps the estimated percentage of value that will be lost at each defined interval of sea-level rise.  Typically, the intervals are 1 foot, 2 feet, etc.

The Depth/Damage Function tab contains the following fields and data:

Depth/Damage Function	This is the name of the DDF definition currently being edited.  To change to a different definition, select it from the drop-down list.  To create a new function, click the New DDF button.
Rename...	Click the Rename... button to assign a new name to the current DDF.  When you click this button, the tool will display the Rename Model Parameter dialog, where you can specify the new name.
Unit	Choose the vertical unit that is being used for the Depth values in the table.  Note that changing this value will not change the displayed depth value, rather it is telling the model what unit the height data is using.
Definition Table	This table lists the definition for the DDF.  Each table entry contains the following information: The Depth is an interval for depth values.  When you enter a depth value, be sure that the value you enter is in the vertical unit specified in the Unit field.  During processing, if the COAST tool calculates a depth that is greater than the largest depth interval, it will use the damage percentage associated with the largest depth interval.  This means that once you get to a depth that results in 100% loss, you don't need to add any more entries to the table.  The entries in the table are sorted by the Depth field. Damage (Pct.) contains the percent of damage at the associated depth.  Express this value as a percentage (e.g., 25%).  Use the Add..., Update..., and Remove buttons to modify the data in the table.
Add...	Adds a new depth/damage interval to the table.  When you click the Add... button, the COAST tool pops up the Add Line window.  Use this dialog to enter the definition.
Update...	When you select a line in the table, the Update... button will be enabled.  Click this button to change the data in the selected definition entry.  The tool will display the Update Line dialog with the current values filled in.  (The Update Line dialog works the same as the Add Line dialog.)
Remove	When you select a line in the table, the Remove button will be enabled.  Click this button to remove the selected line from the definition.  You will be prompted to confirm the deletion.
New DDF	Click the New DDF button to create a new depth/damage function.  You will be prompted for a new name, and then the current definition will be cleared so a new one can be entered.
Delete DDF	Click the Delete DDF button to delete the current definition.  You will be prompted to confirm that you want to perform the deletion.

Add Line Dialog

The Add Line dialog is used to update an entry in the DDF definition.  The tool displays this dialog when you click the Add... or Update... buttons on the Depth/Damage Function property page. The Add Line dialog contains the following data (all of the fields are required):

Depth	Depth defines the end point of an interval for depth values.  When you enter a depth value, be sure that the value you enter is in the vertical unit specified in the Unit field.
Damage (Pct.)	Damage (Pct.) contains the percent of damage at the associated depth.  Express this value as a percentage (e.g., 25%).
OK	Click the OK button to close the dialog and enter the new or updated data into the definition.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without changing the definition.

Adaptations

The Adaptations tab on the Edit Model Parameters dialog allows you to create and edit adaptation definitions. The Adaptations tab contains the following fields and data:

Adaptation	This is the name of the definition currently being edited.  To change to a different definition, select it from the drop-down list.  To create a new definition, click the New Adaptation button.
Rename...	Click the Rename... button to assign a new name to the current definition.  When you click this button, the tool will display the Rename Model Parameter dialog, where you can specify the new name.
Use One-time Cost	Enter the cost of implementing the adaptation in local currency.  This value will be transferred directly to the Cumulative Expected Damages report to indicate the cost of this adaptation.
Use Staged Costs	Choose this option to specify adaptation costs that will happen over a period of years.  When running the cumulative damages scenario, COAST will use the values and their dates to determine the adaptation costs for the scenario.
Edit Staged Costs...	Click this button to edit the staged costs associated with this adaption action.
Depth/Damage Function	Choose the DDF that that would apply after this adaptation is implemented.  If a DDF has not yet been created, use the Depth/Damage Functions tab to create it.
New Adaptation	Click the New Adaptation button to create a new definition.  You will be prompted for a new name, and then the current definition will be cleared so a new one can be entered.
Delete Adaptation	Click the Delete Adaptation button to delete the current definition.  You will be prompted to confirm that you want to delete the definition.

Edit Staged Costs Dialog

Use the Edit Staged Costs window to define the staged costs for an adaptation. The Edit Staged Costs window contains the following fields and data:

Staged Costs	This list contains the staged cost entries.  Each entry is made up of a year in which the expense will occur, and the amount of the expense.
Add...	Click this button to add a new entry to the list of staged costs.  Coast will display the Edit Staged Cost window, where you can specify the details.
Update...	Click this button to modify the selected entry in the staged cost list.  Coast will display the Edit Staged Cost window, where you can update the details.
Remove	Click this button to delete the selected entry from the staged cost list.
Use Specific Discount Rate for Costs	Put a check in the box to specify that you want to use a discount rate for these costs that is different from the overall discount rate being used in the scenario.  When this box is checked, the associated field will be made available for a value to be entered.  Enter the value as a percentage (that is, use 2.5 for 2.5%).
OK	Click the OK button to perform validation and save the staged costs.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without saving the changes.

Add/ Update Staged Cost

Use the Add Staged Cost dialog to add or modify a single staged cost list entry. The Edit Staged Cost window contains the following fields and data:

Year	The year in which the cost will take place.
Cost	The dollar amount of the cost.
OK	Click the OK button to perform validation and save the data.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without saving the changes.

General Options

The General tab contains the following fields and data:

Elevation Grid Processing	This allows you to determine how to process large elevation grids.  Large grids can increase the amount of time it takes to process a COAST scenario.  This option allows you to indicate whether COAST should prioritize faster processing or accuracy when computing the area that is flooded due to the defined rise in water level.  When you choose to emphasize processing speed, the calculations will use a larger grid size, which in rare cases, can result in an asset erroneously being considered flooded or not flooded.  When you choose to emphasize accuracy, these calculation will use the grid size defined in your data.  If your elevation data uses a small cell size (e.g., 1 meter), and includes an area several kilometers square, then processing will take longer, but there is a smaller probability that an asset will be considered flooded or not flooded by mistake.  By default, this setting emphasized processing speed.
Resulting Grid Resolution	The Resulting Grid Resolution section displays the computed resolution that will be used when processing a scenario using the selected grid processing setting.  This resolution will be used in internal calculations only.  The elevation data itself will not be changed.
Elevation Layer	Select an elevation layer form the associated list to see the effect of changing the grid processing setting.
Width...Height	The dimensions of the elevation grid in pixels.
Native Resolution	This is the size of each cell in the original elevation grid without having the grid processing scale applied to it.
Computed Resolution	This is the effective resolution that will be used when processing the scenario.  This resolution is used internally.  The actual elevation data will not be changed.  Using a larger resolution for each cell makes the processing faster.

Running the One-Time Storm Event Model

The One-Time Storm Event model estimates the total damage from a single storm surge event in a given year.  It calculates the total water-level rise based on the model parameters and the storm definition, then determines which assets will be flooded under that scenario.  For each flooded asset, the model calculates the flood depth and uses that, along with the asset value and a DDF, to calculate the damage.  It performs these calculations for both the water-level rise due to sea-level rise only, and the increase due to both sea-level rise and storm surge. 

There are three types of output:

1. A KML file containing two layers: one for damage due to SLR only, and another for damage due to SLR and storm surge.  The KML layers contain 3D shapes, whose height represents the relative damage cost for that asset.
2. Two Esri shapefiles:   one containing the assets flooded due to SLR only, and another for assets flooded due to SLR and storm surge.  See below for further information about the output shapefiles.
   
3. The One-Time Storm event model also produces intermediate map layers that represent the flooded area for a particular increase in water level.  When running the model, if a layer containing the flooded area already exists, the model will use that layer instead of creating a new one.  This reduces significantly the time required to run the model.  These flood area layers are hidden by default when they are created, but you can use the Layer Manager to make them visible. If you save your workspace after running the model scenario, these layers will be preserved.
   

The Esri shapefiles output by the COAST Tool contain four attributes unique to COAST, in addition to all of the attributes from the original asset layer data.

CO_DEPTH	Contains the calculated depth at the centroid of the area asset feature, the center of a line feature, or the location of a point feature.
CO_DAMAGE	Contains the computed damage for the asset.
CO_CENELEV	The elevation at the centroid of the area asset feature, the center of a line feature, or the location of a point feature.
CO_YRABAND	The year that the asset was flooded due to SLR only.

Storm event scenario definitions can be stored in a workspace, along with the input data layers, so that the same scenarios can be run multiple times, if necessary.  The flood area layers can also be stored in the workspace, so that future iterations of the model can be completed more quickly.

When you choose the Estimate One-Time Storm Damage menu item, the Estimate One-time Storm Damage dialog will be displayed.  The Estimate One-time Storm Damage dialog contains the following fields and data:

Model Parameters File	This indicates which model parameters file is currently in use.  If a scenario is already defined, changing this is likely to cause problems, since the model parameter definitions being used by the scenario are specific to the model parameter file that was used to define it. If the current scenario definitions were loaded from a workspace file, then the associated model parameters file was loaded automatically.
Browse...	If you are creating a new set of scenarios, use this button to select the model parameters file that you will use as a basis for the new scenarios.
Name	This is the name of the scenario currently being edited.  To edit a different scenario, select it from the drop-down list.  To create another scenario, click the New... button.
New...	Click this button to create a new scenario.  The COAST tool will prompt you to type in the name of the new scenario, and then clear the current scenario definition so you can fill in the details.
Rename...	Click the Rename... button to assign a new name to the current scenario.  You will be prompted to type in the new name.
Delete	Use this button to delete the current scenario from the collection.  You will be prompted to confirm that you want to delete this scenario definition.
Save	Click the Save button to validate and save the current scenario definition.  To ensure that the definition persists across COAST sessions, you will still need to save the workspace before you exit.
Layer	The list contains all of the elevation layers that are currently loaded.  Select the layer to be used in this scenario from the list.  If there is only one elevation layer in the list, it will be automatically selected.
Vertical Unit	This field displays the vertical unit defined for the selected elevation layer.  If the value listed is not correct, you can unload the elevation layer using the Layer Manager, then reload it and specify the correct unit on the Elevation Layer Options dialog.
Assets	This list contains all of the asset definitions that have been created.  Place a check next to each asset definition that you would like to use with this model scenario.  To see the details of the selected asset definition, click the Edit Asset... button.  If there are no assets defined, or you need to create a another one, click the New Asset... button.
Edit Asset...	Click this button to view or change the currently selected asset definition.  The COAST tool will display the Edit Assets window, where you can see or change the definition.
New Asset...	Click the New Asset... button to specify a new asset definition.  The COAST tool will display the Edit Assets window, where you specify the new asset definition.
Delete Asset	Use the Delete Asset button to remove the current asset definition from the asset list.  You will be prompted for confirmation before the asset is deleted.
Exceedance Curve	This list contains the exceedance curves defined in the current model parameters file.  Select the curve that you want to use in this scenario.
Eustatic SLR	This list contains the eustatic SLR curves defined in the current model parameters file.  Select the curve that you want to use in this scenario.
Base Water Level	This list contains all of the Base Water Levels defined in the current model parameters file.  Select the definition that you want to use in this scenario.
Local SLR	This list contains the Local SLR amounts defined in the current model parameters file.  Select the definition that you want to use in this scenario.  This parameter is optional.  If you don't want to include it in the model, select "<None>" from the list.
Adaptation	This list contains the Adaptations defined in the current model parameters file.  Select the adaptation definition that you want to use in this scenario.  If you don't want to include an adaptation in the model, select "<None>" from the list.
Discount Rate (Pct.)	Calculated damage amounts can be discounted back to Net Present Value (NPV).  Specify the percentage that you would like to use.  If you do not want to discount future values, specify zero in this field.
Year	Specify the year to be used for the storm event.  This year will be used to calculate the expected water-level rise and for discounting back to NPV (if discounting is being used.)  The year must be within the range defined in the selected eustatic SLR curve.
Recurrence Interval	Choose the severity of the storm event by choosing one of the recurrence intervals from the list.  The intervals come from the currently selected exceedance curve.
Computed Storm Event SLR (NAVD88)	Once you have selected an Exceedance Curve, Eustatic SLR, Base Water Level, Recurrence Interval, Local SLR (optional) and Year, the COAST tool will calculate the expected water-level rise and display it here.  When you change any of the parameters that affect this calculation, it will be updated.  If the value is "N/A", then not enough parameters have been selected to perform the calculation. Use the associated list to choose the unit you want to use for the calculated value.  This unit only affects how the computed depth is displayed.
File Name	Enter the name of the KML or KMZ file in which the model output will be stored.  The KML/KMZ file will contain two layers: one for damage due to SLR only, and another for damage due to SLR and storm surge.  The KML layers contain 3D shapes, whose height represents the relative damage cost for that asset.
Browse...	Click this button to select an output KML or KMZ file by selecting it from the file system.
Scale: 1 elevation unit per	This field contains a value used to scale elevation values in order to flatten the extruded polygons that represent the flood damages.  When damage values are large, flattening makes the output map easier to view.  The elevations will be divided by this value, which must be numeric, and greater than zero.
Edit KML Export Options...	Click this button to choose the styling options for the extrusions in the KML output file.  The KML Export Style dialog will be displayed.
Legend Title	Use this field to enter the title to be used in the legend that is part of the output KML/KMZ map.
Edit Legend...	Click this button to choose other options for the data to be included in the legend.  The Edit Legend dialog will be displayed.
Advanced Options...	Click this button to edit the advanced options associated with this scenario, such as the asset flooding criteria.  The Advanced Options dialog will be displayed.
Run Batch...	Click the Run Batch... button to run a scenario batch.
OK	Click the OK button to perform validation and run the model as it is currently defined.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without running the model.

Editing the Legend

The Edit Legend dialog allows you to specify a legend title and options for data to be included in the legend. The Edit Legend dialog contains the following fields and data:

Title	Type the title to be used on the legend in this field.
Asset Type	Type a brief description of the kind of data that is associated with this asset.  If the asset is a parcel of real estate, you might use something like "real estate value" or "assessed value" for the Asset Type.  This value will be included in the main descriptive statement on the legend that begins with, "Lost <asset type> for scenario: ".  See the sample image below for an full example.
Include Maximum Damage	Check this box if you want to include the maximum asset damage value in the legend.
Include Total Damage	Check this box if you want to include the sum of all asset damages in the legend.
Include Discount Rate Footnote	Check this box if you want to include a footnote indicating that the damage values have been discounted to NPV.
Include General Planning Purposes Footnote	Check this box if you want to include a footnote indicating "For general planning purposes only".
Damage Amount Format	Select the item indicating how you would like the damage amounts to be formatted.  The choices are "Millions (M)", "Thousands (K)" and "Full Amount".  The damage amounts will be rounded off and displayed with the indicated suffix.  If you select "Full Amount" the number will not be truncated, and there will be no suffix.
OK	Click the OK button to close the dialog and save the legend options.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without saving the legend options.

Editing the Advanced Options

The Advanced Options dialog allows you to specify some extra, advanced options for the current scenario. The Advanced Options window contains the following data and fields:

Asset Flooding Criteria	This section allows you to determine how the model will determine whether or not an asset is flooded.  If you choose the CENTROID option, then the asset will be considered flooded when its centroid intersects the flooded area.  If you choose BOUNDARY, then the asset will be considered flooded if its area polygon boundary intersects the flooded area.  In this case, the damage or benefit calculation will include the percentage of the asset area that is flooded.  The BOUNDARY option applies only to area features.
Asset Abandonment Criteria	In the COAST model, an asset is considered to be "abandoned" when it is flooded due to sea-level rise only (no surge), i.e., it is flooded on a regular basis during high tide.  This option allows you to specify that the asset will be considered abandoned only when the flood depth reaches a certain level.  Essentially, this allows the scenario to consider an asset abandoned when the water level at high-tide is 1 foot.  In the first box, type the depth to be used, and choose the vertical unit from the list. MAST Note:  This option is not supported in the MAST model.
OK	Click the OK button to close the dialog and save the options.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without saving the options.

Editing KML Export Styles

The KML Export Styles dialog allows you to specify the source of the styling used on asset damage extrusions in the KML output.  You can specify one style for extrusion representing damages from SLR and surge, and another for extrusions related to SLR Only or Abandoned assets.

The KML Export Styles window contains the following data and fields:

Running the Cumulative Damage Model

The Cumulative Storm Damage model calculates the expected damages from storms and sea-level rise over the specified time period.  For each year in the time period, it computes an expected damage curve for each probability in the exceedance curve, and uses that to determine the expected damages for the year.  The output is an Excel spreadsheet containing expected damages for a "No SLR" scenario, as well as for each selected eustatic SLR model.  If you include an adaptation, then the costs and damage reductions resulting from the implementation of the adaptation will be included in the results.  The spreadsheet also contains a detailed listing of the parameters used to produce the results.  This information is in a separate sheet called "Parameters".

Cumulative damage scenario definitions can be stored in a workspace, along with the input data layers, so that the same scenarios can be run multiple times, if necessary.

When you choose the Estimate Cumulative Storm Damage menu item, the Estimate Cumulative Storm Damage dialog will be displayed.  The Estimate Cumulative Storm Damage dialog contains the following fields and data:

Model Parameters File	This indicates which model parameters file is currently in use.  If a scenario is already defined, changing this is likely to cause problems, since the model parameter definitions being used by the scenario are specific to the model parameter file that was used to define it. If the current scenario definitions were loaded from a workspace file, then the associated model parameters file was loaded automatically.
Browse...	If you are creating a new set of scenarios, use this button to select the model parameters file that you will use as a basis for the new scenarios.
Name	This is the name of the scenario currently being edited.  To edit or run a different scenario, select it from the drop-down list.  If you want to create another scenario, click t he New... button.
New...	Click this button to create a new scenario.  The COAST tool will prompt you to type in the name of the new scenario, and then clear the current definition so you can fill in the details.
Rename...	Click the Rename... button to assign a new name to the current scenario.  You will be prompted to type in the new name.
Delete	Use this button to delete the current scenario from the collection.  You will be prompted to confirm that you want to delete this scenario definition.
Save	Click the Save button to validate and save the current scenario definition.  To ensure that the definition persists across COAST sessions, you will still need to save the workspace before you exit.
Layer	The list contains all of the elevation layers that are currently loaded.  Select the layer to be used in this scenario from the list.  If there is only one elevation layer in the list, it will be automatically selected.
Vertical Unit	This field displays the vertical unit defined for the selected elevation layer.  If the value listed is not correct, you can unload the elevation layer using the Layer Manager, then reload it and specify the correct unit on the Elevation Layer Options dialog.
Assets	This list contains all of the asset definitions that have been created.  Place a check next to each asset definition that you would like to use with this model scenario.  To see the details of the selected asset definition, click the Edit Asset... button.  If there are no assets defined, or you need to create a another one, click the New Asset... button.
Edit Asset...	Click this button to view or change the currently selected asset definition.  The COAST tool will display the Edit Assets dialog, where you can see or change the definition.
New Asset...	Click the New Asset... button to create a new asset definition.  The COAST tool will display the Edit Assets dialog, where you specify the new asset definition.
Delete Asset	Use the Delete Asset button to remove the current asset definition from the asset list.  You will be prompted for confirmation before the asset is deleted.
Exceedance Curve	This list contains the exceedance curves defined in the current model parameters file.  Select the curve that you want to use in this scenario.
Eustatic SLR	This list contains the eustatic SLR curves defined in the current model parameters file.  Place a check next to each eustatic SLR definition you would like to include in the model.
Base Water Level	This list contains the Base Water Levels defined in the current model parameters file.  Select the definition that you want to use in this scenario.
Local SLR	This list contains the Local SLR amounts defined in the current model parameters file.  Select the definition that you want to use in this scenario.  This parameter is optional.  If you don't want to include it in the model, select "<None>" from the list.
Adaptation	This list contains the Adaptations defined in the current model parameters file.  Select the adaptation definition that you want to use in this scenario.  If you don't want to include an adaptation in the model, select "<None>" from the list.
Discount Rate (Pct.)	Calculated damage amounts can be discounted back to Net Present Value (NPV).  Specify the percentage that you would like to use.  If you do not want to discount future values, specify zero in this field.
Start Year	Specify the beginning year to be used for the cumulative damage report.  This year must be in the range of all of the checked eustatic SLR curves.
End Year	Specify the end year to be used in the cumulative damage report.  This year will be used to calculate the expected water-level rise and for discounting back to NPV (if discounting is being used.)  The end year must be in the range of all of the checked eustatic SLR curves, and greater than the Start Year.
Damage Report File	Enter the name of the Excel spreadsheet file in which the model output will be stored.
Browse...	Click this button to select an output file by selecting it from the file system.
Advanced Options...	Click this button to edit the advanced options associated with this scenario, such as the asset flooding criteria.  The Advanced Options dialog will be displayed.
Run Batch...	Click the Run Batch... button to run a scenario batch.
OK	Click the OK button to perform validation and run the model as it is currently defined.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without running the model.

Running a Scenario Batch

The Run Batch dialog allows you to execute several scenarios in a group without having to create each separate scenario.  Select one or more choice from each section, and COAST will generate and run a scenario for each permutation of the selected parameters.  All of the other parameters for each batch scenario will be taken from the scenario that was on the dialog where the Run Batch... button was clicked.

The Run Batch window contains the following fields and data:

Exceedance Curve(s)	Choose one or more exceedance curves by clicking the box next to the name to set a check mark.
Eustatic SLR Curve(s)	Choose one or more eustatic SLR curves by clicking the box next to the name to set a check mark.
Adaptation(s)	Choose one or more adaptations by clicking box next to the name to set a check mark.  These are optional, so you can leave all of the boxes unchecked (this is the same as selecting only the No Action option.)
Time Period(s)	Enter one or more time periods, separated by commas.  If the scenario is a one-time storm event, then use a series of years, such as, "2050,2070".  If the scenario is calculating cumulative expected damage, then each time period must be in the format <start_year>-<end_year>, for example, "2015-2030,2031-2060".
Discount Rate(s)	Enter one or more discount rates, separated by commas, such as, "0,1.5,2.5".
Output Folder	Specify the base folder where the output will be stored.  The output from each batch scenario will be stored in a folder under this one, named using the batch scenario parameters (time period, eustatic SLR, exceedance curve, discount rate, adaptation.)  If the scenario is calculating cumulative expected damages, the results will be summarized in a spreadsheet called BatchSummary.xlsx, which contains a row for each scenario.  The summary spreadsheet also contains a listing of the parameters used for each scenario.  The parameters for each scenario are in a separate sheet called "Parameters<n>", where <n> is replaced with the row number associated with the parameter list.
OK	Click the OK button to close the dialog and save the options.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without saving the options.

Editing Asset Definitions

The Edit Assets dialog is used to provide information about an asset that will be used in a COAST model scenario.  Asset definitions will be stored in the workspace file, along with the scenario definitions and map layers.

The Edit Assets dialog includes the following fields and data:

Asset Name	Type the name of the asset in this field.  This asset name will be used in the lists on the model scenario definition screens.
Map Layer	This list contains all of the vector layers that are currently loaded in the COAST tool viewer.  Choose the layer that represents the asset you wish to include in the model scenario.  If only one vector layer is in the list, it will be automatically selected.
Asset Value Attribute	This list contains all of the attributes associated with the selected Map Layer.  Choose the attribute that contains the asset data that you want to include in the damage calculations.  The asset value attribute must contain numeric data.
Use Alternate Asset Value	Place a check in the box if you want to use an alternate asset value in your scenario.  In some scenarios, a second asset value might be needed.  For example, you might have an asset layer that includes both the current property value (the asset value) and extra data for anticipated future development (the alternate asset value).  In order to determine the asset value, the COAST tool will first look at the alternate asset value, and will use it if the value is not zero.  If the alternate asset value is zero, then the COAST model will use the original asset value instead.  The list contains all of the attributes associated with the selected Map Layer.  Choose the attribute containing the data that represents the alternate asset value.
Appreciation Rate, Per Year (pct.)	Place a check in the box if you want to have the assets in your scenario appreciate over time.  Specify the yearly percentage in the text field.  If you want to have the assets appreciate by 1% per year, type "1" in  the field.  This is assumed to be appreciation above inflation, so asset values will be appreciated using this value before the damage is calculated and NPV calculations using the discount rate are performed.
Replacement Value Adjustment Factor	Place a check in the box if you want to adjust the asset value amounts to reflect replacement value instead of assessed value.  If assessed value should be reduced by 10% to reflect replacement value, type ".9" in the field.  This asset value will be multiplied by this factor before it is used in the model calculations.
Use Asset-Specific Exceedance Curve	Place a check in this box if you need to designate one or more exceedance curve that will be applied to this asset only.  When this option is checked, the Edit Exceedance Curve List... button will be enabled.
Edit Exceedance Curve List...	Click the Edit Exceedance Curve List... button to set up the exceedance curve(s) that will be used for this asset.  You can use a single exceedance curve, or assign multiple exceedance curves based on the value of a feature attribute.  The Edit Exceedance Curve List dialog will be displayed.
Use Single DDF	Select this option to specify a single DDF to be used for this asset.  The associated list contains all of the DDFs that are defined in the model parameters file.  Choose the DDF that you want to use in the model scenario. MAST Note: DBF Groups MAST scenarios have the ability to calculate benefits by applying multiple DBFs.  In this instance, a benefit value for each asset feature get calculated for each DBF, and the sum total becomes the benefit for that feature.  This collection of DBFs is called a DBF Group.  In order to use a DBF Group, you should select the Use Single DDF option, and then choose "<Group>" from the list of DBF names.  This will enable the Edit Group... button.  Click the Edit Group... button to pop up the Edit DBF Group dialog.
Use Multiple DDFs	Select this option of you wish to use more than one DDF for this asset.  When this option is selected, the Edit DDF List... button will be enabled.
Edit DDF List...	Click this button to edit the list of DDFs to use for the current asset.  The Edit DDF List window will be displayed.
OK	Click the OK button to close the dialog and enter the new or updated data into the definition.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without changing the definition.

Edit DBF Group Dialog - MAST Only

Click the box to put a check next to each DBF that you want to include in the group

Edit DDF List Dialog

Use the Edit DDF List window to specify the DDFs to use when calculating damages for an asset. The Edit DDF List dialog contains the following fields and data:

Default DDF	Select the default DDF from this list.  This is the DDF that will be applied for any value of the classification attribute that does not have a DDF assigned to it.  In the example above, all assets that are not designated otherwise will be considered residential property, and will use the Residential Property DDF.
Classification Attribute	Select the attribute that will be used to classify the asset for purposes of assigning a DDF. Once the attribute has been selected, the list below will be filled with each of the unique values for that attribute.  In the example above, the attribute BLDG_DESC is used to determine what type of structure is on the property.  When the attribute is chosen, COAST scans the asset layer and fills the list with the attribute values.
DDF by Attribute Value	This list contains all of the values of the classification attribute.  Select one or more item in the list, and use the Select DDF... button to set the DDF to be used for that attribute value.   In the example above, assets with a BLDG_DESC of "ARMORY" will use the Government Property DDF, several others will use Commercial Property DDF, and the rest will use the Residential Property DDF.
Select DDF...	Click this button to display the Select DDF window and choose a DDF for the selected attribute value(s).
Clear DDF Name	Click this button to reset the selected attribute value(s) to use the default DDF.
OK	Click the OK button to close the dialog and enter the new or updated data into the definition.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without changing the definition.

Select DDF Dialog

Use the Select DDF dialog to choose the DDF to be used for an attribute value. The Select DDF window contains the following fields and data:

Choose a DDF...	Select a DDF from the associated list.
OK	Click the OK button to close the dialog and enter the new or updated DDF into the DDF list.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without changing the DDF list.

Edit Exceedance Curve List Dialog

Use the Edit Exceedance Curve List dialog to specify the exceedance curve to be used for this asset.  You can specify a single exceedance curve, or assign different exceedance curves based on the value of an attribute.

The Edit Exceedance Curve List dialog has the following fields and data:

Default Exceedance Curve	Select the default exceedance curve from this list.  This is the exceedance curve that will be applied for any value of the classification attribute that does not have a specific curve assigned to it, or if an asset feature does not have a value for the classification attribute.  In the example above, all assets that are not designated otherwise will use the ExCurve5 exceedance curve.
Classification Attribute	Select the attribute that will be used to classify the asset for purposes of assigning an exceedance curve. Once the attribute has been selected, the list below will be filled with each of the unique values for that attribute.  In the example above, the attribute FLD_ZONE is used to determine what flood zone the feature is in.  When the attribute is chosen, COAST scans the asset layer and fills the list with the attribute values. If you want to always use the default exceedance curve for this asset, leave the Classification Attribute field blank.
Exceedance Curve by Attribute Value	This list contains all of the values of the classification attribute.  Select one or more item in the list, and use the Select... button to set the exceedance curve to be used for that attribute value.   In the example above, assets with a FLD_ZONE of "AE" will use the ExCurve7 curve, those with a value of "AH" will use ExCurve5, and features where the attribute value is "VE" will use ExCurve10.
Select...	Click this button to display the Select Exceedance Curve window and choose an exceedance curve for the selected attribute value(s).
Clear Name	Click this button to reset the selected attribute value(s) to use the default exceedance curve.
OK	Click the OK button to close the dialog and enter the new or updated data into the definition.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without changing the definition.

Select Exceedance Curve Dialog

Use the Select Exceedance Curve dialog to choose the DDF to be used for an attribute value. The Select DDF window contains the following fields and data:

Choose an Exceedance Curve...	Select an exceedance curve from the associated list.
OK	Click the OK button to close the dialog and enter the new or updated exceedance curve into the DDF list.
Cancel	Click the Cancel button to close the dialog without changing the list.