1990s — Research Origins
The methods and algorithms behind BMPTRAINS grew out of stormwater hydrology and BMP effectiveness research by Martin Wanielista and collaborators.
Early Versions (spreadsheet-era, ~2000s-2014)
The model was circulated in spreadsheet/Excel form and repeatedly updated by the UCF Stormwater Management Academy team. Example: Version 7.4 (spreadsheet form) is documented as updated Sept 5, 2014 (Wanielista presentation / materials). Contributors named in these materials include M. Wanielista, Mike Hardin, Ikiensinma Gogo-Abite, Christopher Kuzlo and others; the State agencies provided review and input.
v8.x user manual (circa 2018)
A BMPTRAINS User Manual v8.6 (Rich Magee, UCF Stormwater Management Academy) exists in the UCF repository (document flagged “withdrawn” in that repository entry, but it documents an 8.6 release/edition of the manual). Rich Magee is also the author of training/help videos.
2020 — Rebuild(BMP Trains 2020)
The model was rewritten (C# + Visual Basic) and repackaged as “BMP Trains 2020”. Notable public releases in this line:
- Release / update 4.2.3 — documented Dec 1, 2020 (Wanielista notes).
- Release 4.3.5 (BMP Trains 2020) — posted Dec 1, 2021 (user manual dated Dec 1, 2021). That release notes the program was written by Dr. Ron Eaglin and Dr. Marty Wanielista (programming in C# with Visual Basic), and lists a broad set of contributors and reviewers (Mike Hardin, Rich Magee, Eric Livingston, Harvey Harper, Kelly Kibler, Ni-Bin Chang, etc.) and supporting agencies (FDOT, Florida DEP, the Florida water management districts, UCF Stormwater Management Academy).
FDOT / research references and later notes (2017–2024 citations)
FDOT and related reports reference BMPTRAINS and note ongoing updates and use in practice; FDOT funded or supported development work through at least 2017 and the UCF Academy continued maintenance and enhancements after that. Example: FDOT research reports cite Wanielista and collaborators and reference newer updates.
Distribution / availability status (post-2021)
UCF hosted downloads, help videos and manuals (UCF STARS and Stormwater Management Academy). Several pages and presenters (Wanielista, Rich Magee, Mike Hardin, Eric Livingston, Harvey Harper, Ikiensinma Gogo-Abite, Ron Eaglin) provided training materials and example problems (workshops in Jan 2020). Some repository pages note downloadable software was removed at times while ownership/updates were transferred or to address new regulations — check the UCF STARS and roneaglin.online pages for current availability.
People and Organizations Involved
Martin (Marty) P. Wanielista (Dr.)
Principal investigator/author of many BMPTRAINS releases and presentations, author of the BMP Trains 2020 documentation. Central figure throughout the project.
Ron Eaglin (Dr.)
Credited with programming in the C#/VB rewrite (BMP Trains 2020) and site/packaging of distributions; also listed as an author/contributor on documentation and web pages.
Rich Magee
UCF Stormwater Management Academy staff; produced the BMPTRAINS user manual (v8.6) listing and many help videos/tutorials
Mike Hardin Eric Livingston, Harvey H. Harper III, Ikiensinma Gogo-Abite, Kelly Kibler, Ni-Bin Chang
Contributors, presenters, and researchers whose studies and presentations underpin BMPTRAINS’ algorithms and example applications.
Agencies / Funders
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the Florida Water Management Districts (SJRWMD, SFWMD, SWFWMD, NWFWMD, Suwannee R.), UCF Stormwater Management Academy — provided review, funding, and domain expertise.