Table 1. Evaluation categories and characteristics
place automatically. Moreover, due to interlock-
ing, the program would ensure that any neces-
of automation measures.
sary but separate conditions, normally verified
Category
Symbol
Characteristic
by the operator, are fulfilled during the opera-
tion being conducted. For example, an interlock
Level
A
Fully programmed control with
could be verification that a lower miter gate is
a high degree of interlocked
closed before an upper miter gate is allowed to
operation, remote control and
readout, emergency override
open. An automation measure at this level
B
Programmed operation with
would be expected to be employed remotely if
remote readout; may have some
desired, and provide remote readout or status
degree of interlocking, and
reports. Although capable of manual override, a
would have manual override
Level A measure would normally require this
C
Remote readout and pro-
grammed control, remote con-
only in emergency situations.
trol, or some combination
A Level B measure is less comprehensive than
D
Local installation for pro-
Level A in that it would control a smaller num-
grammed control; would
ber of steps or operations, and have correspond-
require manual initiation of
ingly fewer interlocks. Remote operation and
operation
readout would be present, but manual override
Purpose
a
Safety
would be used only in rare cases.
b
Simplification
c
Staff reallocation
At Level C, only one step or operation would
be controlled (or two closely related steps), and
Difficulty of
H
High
remote control or remote readout or both would
implementation
M
Medium
L
Low
be present. Manual override capabilities would
be used more frequently due to normal varia-
Cost of
H
High
implementation
M
Medium
tions in operating conditions (weather, stages,
L
Low
day vs. night, traffic, etc.).
The simplest form of automation, Level D,
Departure from
H
High
existing operational
M
Medium
would have no remote features when deployed
procedure
L
Low
by itself (i.e., when not in combination with oth-
er automation measures), and would always re-
determinative characteristics associated with
quire operator initiation for the process being
each category are presented in Table 1. In the
conducted. This level contemplates close super-
following paragraphs the evaluation categories
vision by an operator, but frees the operator
and characteristics are described in detail.
from making adjustments in the middle of an
Later in the report the candidate automation
operation, because the automation measure
measures that have been identified in this study
would monitor the condition(s) adjusted for and
are described or labeled by these categories and
make the adjustments according to a program
characteristics in a matrix format.
inherent in the equipment. To put this in famil-
iar terms, a Level D system might control and
vary the speed at which a gate opens, and bring
Level
The wide range of automation measures has
the gate to a stop at the end of its travel without
been divided into four levels based on the com-
overloading the machinery to a point that limit
plexity of the measure or the degree of automat-
switches are invoked.
ed operation that the measure would provide.
Level A is the most ambitious degree of automa-
Purpose
tion, representing measures that have a large
Three distinct purposes for adopting automa-
number of individual steps incorporated into a
tion measures at navigation projects have been
programmed sequence that includes "interlock-
identified. A measure may be desirable for more
ing" or coordination with other simultaneous
than one reason or purpose. However, the use of
functions occurring at the navigation project. In
the three purpose characteristics will allow for
plain terms, a Level A automation measure
ranking or sorting to aid in planning and deci-
would require an operator to simply push a but-
sion-making.
ton and an entire operation normally requiring
Safety is labeled Purpose a. Safety is consid-
several actions on the operator's part would take
ered to apply broadly to project operating per-
2
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