Methodology to Assess Designs and Traffic Management Measures in Ports and Waterways
Subject
Traffic Capacity and Risk Analysis in Ports and Waterways.
Scientific Challenges
Research on this topic was so far limited to safety of ships at sea. The step to develop a methodology for port areas is new. The main research challenge is the combined treatment of safety and capacity.
A first research phase will focus in developing capacity estimation methods for ports and waterways, non-existent until the moment. Another scientific challenge is to identify the best method to quantify safety in ports and waterways, based on extensive research at sea.
The final result of this research is developing an assessment methodology for designs and traffic management measures in ports and waterways, which will optimise a balance between both factors, safety and capacity, simultaneously. It will be a tool to be applicable to assess and optimize any new design as well as to assess traffic management strategies and changes in navigational rules.
Societal relevance
Maritime transportation is growing and ports and inland waterways have to handle larger ships and larger traffic flows. Port authorities are aware of these problems, try to mitigate the existing hazards, and anticipate future ones. The complexity of the problem and the lack of research into port capacity and its relation to the risks are major challenges for port authorities and stakeholders, showing the need of tools to support them.
The methodology to be developed within this project will provide a tool for the assessment of safety and capacity in ports and waterways. As many actors are involved, it has the possibility to deal with their different needs, in order to improve port designs, navigation rules or traffic management strategies for ports and inland waterways.
Xavier Bellsolà OlbaStart/end date: 01-01-2014 / 01-01-2018Daily Supervisor(s): Meng Wang, Raymond Hoogendoorn Promotor: Serge P. Hoogendoorn, Tiedo Vellinga |