A Model of the Vessel Traffic Process

This paper deals with a model of the total vessel traffic control process. This includes human operator (HO) functioning as the human factor plays a dominant role in the complex vessel traffic process. Also the vessel traffic services (VTS) is modeled in it’s possible role of monitor, conflict detector and advisor of the total vessel traffic system. This implies a number of ships, with a given planned route, in a given confined area. The navigation of each ship is based on a planned route, which is updated via information of the visual scene, instruments and the VTS. Both normal operation and collision avoidance is modeled. The latter implies the detection of a possible conflict by the navigator(s) and/or the VTS. The model is implemented in a (in C-written) computer program. Typical traffic situations are simulated showing the capability of the model to address realistic vessel traffic scenario’s. The time simulation results can be summarized in statistical measures of relative ship positions. The model of the vessel traffic process is capable to answering questions related to: safety and efficiency, the effect of HO functioning, necessary information to perform the tasks, communication between ships and VTS, the optimization of procedures, automation of the total vessel traffic process, etc. VESSEL TRAFFIC MODEL STRUCTURE