Sending automated messages, instructions, or sig-
vessels and to navigation projects that may be at
risk. Restricted speed zones could be enforced,
rather than in effect be merely advisory, as at
tween lock operators and vessels are repetitive
present.
and predictable, based on the status of the lock
and the vessel position. These communications
Information
could be triggered automatically. For example,
Vessel and tow activity generates large
when a tow reached a certain point in approach-
amounts of data that are passed through lock
ing a lock, a message reporting the lock status
could be broadcast automatically, or upon the
personnel. These processes are very good candi-
dates for automation.
vessel's use of an inquiry code. The message
Automated trip, cargo, and lockage information
content would vary according to whether the
for the Lock Performance Monitoring System. Lock
lock is in use, ready for upbound lockage, ready
personnel have the task of collecting trip and
for downbound lockage, etc. General cautions
cargo information from passing traffic, and also
about temporary conditions could be included
recording the physical details describing each
in these transmissions.
related lockage. This information is essential in-
put to the Lock Performance Monitoring System
Vessel monitoring
(LPMS) and the broader Inland Navigation Sys-
Knowledge of vessel positions and move-
tems Analysis (INSA) Program. Currently the
ments is essential to lock and dam operators.
trip and cargo information is collected from ves-
Presently this is reported via voice communica-
sel crew members and, along with lockage de-
tions, but automated monitoring would remove
tails, entered manually into the district's com-
the inherent weak links in a voice-based system,
puter network. This can be a large commitment
especially under irregular or emergency condi-
of time for lock personnel. After editing at the
tions.
district level, the data are entered monthly into
Vessel position monitoring, with automatic mes-
the LPMS library by the district. Much or all of
sages and alarms as required. Where river traffic is
this process is open to automation, reducing the
heavy and conditions are difficult, safe and effi-
collection, editing, and maintenance tasks now
cient waterborne traffic management by means
performed by lock and district office personnel.
of a vessel monitoring system may be attractive.
Cargo and trip information could be entered
Such a system already exists in the Louisville
into the automated system by vessel operators,
area on the Ohio River, where it is termed the
maintained up-to-date as barges and cargos
Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) system. Elsewhere
vary during the course of a trip, and keyed to
in the United States, VTS systems exist at cer-
barcodes on barges and towboats scanned as
tain saltwater ports, where they may include
each tow transits the lock. The corresponding
the Vessel Movement Reporting System
lockage information could be input automatical-
(VMRS). Functioning similarly to an aircraft
ly as the lockage is accomplished, assuming the
traffic control system, a vessel monitoring sys-
lock operation is controlled by automated means.
tem would display vessel locations, speeds, di-
Ideally, the edit process at the district level
rections, etc. With a sufficient level of sophisti-
would be eliminated, and data would flow di-
cation, such systems could automatically gener-
rectly to the LPMS in real time.
ate messages to vessels to announce lock status,
approaching traffic, fixed hazards, etc. Such a
monitoring system would operate under the di-
rect observation and with the interaction of traf-
GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING
fic control personnel. Thus, it would be more
AUTOMATED FUNCTIONS
descriptive to term it a semi-automated system.
Acting as a supplement to onboard radar, a ves-
Forty-three navigation project functions that
sel monitoring system would be particularly
could be automated to varying degrees have
valuable in bad weather, or during congested
been discussed in the preceding section; 24 of
periods.
these are associated with lock operations, 15 as-
Automated vessel speed monitoring, with auto-
sociated with dam operations, and four related
matic warning messages to vessels and/or alarms at
to navigation operations. There is a very broad
projects. A vessel monitoring system could calcu-
range of complexity and utility in the automa-
late vessel speeds and issue warnings directly to
tion opportunities for the functions discussed.
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