Navigation Support System Research Articles

Ant Colony Optimization based Navigational Decision Support System

This paper presents a Swarm Intelligence (SI) application using Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) techniques in a navigational Decision Support System (DSS). The problem-solving capability of the system includes path planning and collision avoidance of a ship in the open sea as well as in restricted waters. The developed system enhances automation of the safe ship control pro- cess. It can also be employed in Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) control system, what will contribute to enhancement of their autonomy. The following issues are introduced in this paper: the developed navigational DSS architecture and the path planning and collision avoidance problem definition. This paper will also present ACO principle and ACO based algorithm implemented in navigational DSS. Exemplary results, conclusions and plans for further investigations are also included.

フリートマネージメントにおける運航支援の研究

The author has promoted and implemented the research and development of the eco-friendly electric propulsion ship “Super Eco-Ship”, weather routing for domestic vessels “Navigation Support System”, and ship allocation problem “Ship scheduling support system” from the viewpoint of operational support of domestic shipping. In other words, the following steps were taken to improve vessel operation efficiency. First, build a highly efficient vessel by adopting the latest technology and having it operated by a great master. Then, optimally allocate vessels to meet the shipper’s requests and perform effective fleet management to achieve environmental and economic benefits. Although there are other tasks such posting crew assignments or vessel maintenance, NMRI takes the viewpoint of operational support technology. This paper introduces the history on Research & Development of operational support technology for fleet-management including the evaluation methodology of transportation fleets. These technologies are expected to find application not only in coastal shipping but also in ocean going shipping.

操船支援と航海の安全(基調講演)

操船支援と航海の安全(基調講演)

A user test of Automatic Navigational Intention Exchange Support System using an intelligent ship-handling simulator

Authors evaluated the feasibility of the “Automatic Navigational Intention Exchange Support System using AIS (ANIESS)”, which we have developed since 2007. ANIESS is a communication system to exchange navigational intensions (e.g. Port to Port passing) between encountered ships by using short-range communication means such as application specific message of automatic identification system (AIS). A series of simulator experiments for evaluation of the ANIESS were carried out participating five active seamen. The scenarios are composed of basic encounter situations. Each subject experienced the collision avoidance manoeuvre using the ANIESS and the automatic collision avoidance system (ACAS), which is installed to a simulator. Then, they assessed the collision avoidance manoeuvre using ANIESS subjectively regarding the way and the suitable time for the support of the ANIESS, comparing to their own usual operations. As the result, we found the appropriate way and time for the support. We also got some suggestions on the way and the time for starting collision avoidance manoeuvre to improve the ACAS. Finally, we confirmed the effectiveness in basic encounter condition from the subjective evaluation and also found some issues to improve the ANISS and ACAS.

Ship course stabilization by feedback linearization with adaptive object model

ABSTRACT The algorithm of ship course stabilization herein presented is based on a feedback linearization controller with adaptive object model. The described method, consisting in current approximation of unknown object model functions by neuro-fuzzy approximators, represents a new generation of adaptive control methods. The implementation of this algorithm, which may constitute an executive module of a navigational decision support system, will contribute to a higher degree of automation and navigational safety improvement.

出力制限機能付電池推進船用運航支援システムの開発

出力制限機能付電池推進船用運航支援システムの開発

Data fusion in a navigational decision support system on a sea-going vessel

ABSTRACT The problem of data fusion in a navigational decision support system on a sea-going vessel has been analyzed. The computing algorithm herein applied for solving the formulated problem is based on a multi-sensor Kalman filter. On the practical side, results of the tests done in real conditions are shown. The tests conducted onboard m/s Nawigator XXI, have been aimed at the verification of the proposed computing algorithm implemented in a prototype navigational decision support system.

Объемное зрение в системе навигационного обеспечения беспилотного летательного аппарата

Объемное зрение в системе навигационного обеспечения беспилотного летательного аппарата

Ship’s Horizontal Plane Determination by Means of Three Laser Range Sensors in Pilot Navigation and Docking System / WYZNACZENIE POŁOŻENIA UMOWNEJ WODNICY STATKU ZA POMOCĄ TRZECH DALMIERZY LASEROWYCH W PILOTOWYM SYSTEMIE NAWIGACYJNO-DOKUJĄCYM

Abstract Modern ship’s navigation support systems relay mainly on GNSS technology, as prime source of position. The advantages of such solution are obvious and undeniable. On the other hand in critical situations the dependency of the one system presents a great deal of risk. Taking above into consideration the idea of building GNSS independent Pilot Navigation and Docking System (PNDS) was put into practice. PNDS utilizes the range measurements between laser head and ship’s side to determine the ship’s horizontal plane presented on the screen. The study comprises the case in which three networked rangefinders were deployed on the berth side in a line. Such location of sensors causes uncertainty in determining of ship’s outline contour and speed in relation to assigned coordinate reference system. The final algorithm presented in the article, taking into account all underdetermined conditions, has been tested in PNDS system constructed in Maritime University in Szczecin.

User Uptake of Nomadic and After Market Devices. Experiences from the TeleFOT Project

The overall objectives of the TeleFOT project are to evaluate the impact of different functions provided by nomadic and after market devices (ND) on four impact areas: efficiency, environment, mobility and safety. The fifth area to be investigated is user uptake. The paper presents preliminary results from one of 13 field operational tests (FOTs), the Swedish L-FOT2 focusing on user uptake. One device and three functions were tested: a Green Driving Support System (GD), a Navigation Support System (NAV) and a Traffic Information Service (TI). Preliminary results indicate the importance of addressing the relative rather than the absolute benefits of a function, i.e. the benefits relative other functions offered by other channels/devices and, further, that the specific characteristics and contents of a function need to be analysed in depth order to understand user uptake.

電池推進船用運航支援システム

電池推進船用運航支援システム

Blind Navigation Support System based on Microsoft Kinect

This paper presents a system which extends the use of the traditional white cane by the blind for navigation purposes in indoor environments. Depth data of the scene in front of the user is acquired using the Microsoft Kinect sensor which is then mapped into a pattern representation. Using neural networks, the proposed system uses this information to extract relevant features from the scene, enabling the detection of possible obstacles along the way. The results show that the neural network is able to correctly classify the type of pattern presented as input.

船陸間通信による航海支援システムの一例 : e-操船支援システムの開発( 船陸間通信)

船陸間通信による航海支援システムの一例 : e-操船支援システムの開発( 船陸間通信)

Utilizing BADA (Base of Aircraft Data) as an On-Board Navigation Decision Support System in Commercial Aircrafts

The European organization for the Safety of Air Navigation is developing and maintaining BADA for use in trajectory simulation within the field of Air Traffic Management (ATM). There has been continuous research on using BADA for the estimation of fuel consumption and aviation global emission. In contrast, little attention has been paid to utilize BADA as an on-board navigation support system. In this research, we propose a framework using BADA's operation data to check if an aircraft is operating within a recommended speed, rate of climb or descent (ROCD), or fuel flow. Various simulated flight scenarios were introduced in a controlled deterministic environment, and the results accurately verified the concept of operation.

目視認識支援装置の評価

A navigation support system named Visual Lookout Support System (VLSS) has been under development. The VLSS uses a Head-up display (HUD) and it supports watch operation especially for collision avoidance. Information on target ships is displayed on the HUD enabling to see both target ship silhouette and its information simultaneously. This function will help officers of the watch to recognize the target information of observing ship without disturbing their watch. A series of simulator and field experiments were performed for evaluation of workload of the watch with the VLSS and for subjective evaluation of VLSS functions under several navigation conditions. From the results, the VLSS has been proven to be effective to reduce the workload and to help the watch task effectively.

An adaptive navigation support system for conducting context-aware ubiquitous learning in museums

In context-aware ubiquitous learning, students are guided to learn in the real world with personalized supports from the learning system. As the learning resources are realistic objects in the real world, certain physical constraints, such as the limitation of stream of people who visit the same learning object, the time for moving from one object to another, and the environmental parameters, need to be taken into account. Moreover, the values of these context-dependent parameters are likely to change swiftly during the learning process, which makes it a challenging and important issue to find a navigation support mechanism for suggesting learning paths for individual students in real time. In this paper, the navigation support problem for context-aware ubiquitous learning is formulated and two navigation support algorithms are proposed by taking learning efficacy and navigation efficiency into consideration. From the simulation results of learning in a butterfly museum setting, it is concluded that the innovative approach is helpful to the students to more effectively and efficiently utilize the learning resources and achieve better learning efficacy.

Metrological aspects of the creation of the projected coordinate-time and navigation support system for Russia

Basic trends in the development of a coordinate-time and navigation support system in Russia are considered. Approaches to assure the uniformity of measurements of the parameters of the equipment that comprise the basic support of a future GLONASS system are presented.

Towards the development of intelligent navigation support systems for group shipping and global marine traffic control

Computerised navigation is a developing technology in a branch of autonomous and intelligent engineering systems. It aims to enhance safety and security at sea and to improve the reliability of ship-to-ship operations and global marine traffic control. A recently standardised automatic identification system (AIS) takes full advantage of GPS-based real-time positioning and timing information of ships. The use of the AIS is steadily growing to meet the needs of the merchant shipping and fishing industries. Nevertheless, a significant decrease in the number of ship accidents and hazardous incidents in open waterways has yet to occur. The work gathered in this paper is to establish a proactive means to prevent marine accidents by the use of the full potential of the AIS. Specifically, this paper describes the development of an AIS synthesis-capable navigation support system enhanced with a degree of intelligence built from a physical model suitable to capture the dynamics of group-based navigation of ocean-going vessels. The system envisioned is to provide adequate decision-making support for group shipping, especially during the critical maneuvering in restricted areas such as channel passing and harbour approaches. Foundations for and experimental results of this study, including an analysis with the simulated traffic of Tokyo Uraga Channel route, are presented.

The effects of the number of links and navigation support on cognitive load and learning with hypertext: The mediating role of reading order

Problems in learning with hypertext systems have been claimed to be caused by high levels of disorientation and cognitive load. This was recognized by DeStefano and LeFevre [DeStefano, D., & LeFevre, J. -A., (2007). Cognitive load in hypertext reading: A review. Computers in Human Behavior, 23(3), 1616–1641.] who predicted an increase of cognitive load and impairment of learning for hypertexts with a higher number of links per page. From a practical perspective, several navigation support techniques, such as providing link suggestions, have been proposed for guiding learners and reducing cognitive overload. In an experiment, we tested DeStefano and LeFevre’s predictions as well as the usefulness of link suggestions. Participants used different versions of a hypertext, either with 3-links or 8-links per page, presenting link suggestions or not. We tested their cognitive load and learning outcomes. Results showed that there was a benefit of using link suggestions for learning, but no effect of number of links on learning was found. Moreover, the effects of our manipulations on cognitive load were mediated by the reading order that participants selected. Implications for research and the design of navigation support systems are discussed.

Gender differences in relation to wayfinding strategies, navigational support design, and wayfinding task difficulty

This study investigated user wayfinding navigational performance in terms of two navigational support designs (guide sign and you-are-here map, i.e., YAH), wayfinding strategies (egocentric/route and allocentric/survey), task difficulty (terrestrial/2D or weightless/3D), and gender differences. Eighty participants (40 males and 40 females) were recruited for the wayfinding experiment. The experimental results and statistical analysis indicated that, in the weightless VR scene, navigation time for the terrestrial/2D task type was significantly shorter than for the weightless/3D task type. The guide sign support was significantly more effective than YAH map support. Moreover, the interactions between support style and gender difference indicated that males exhibit better wayfinding performance than females, but that appropriate support can improve navigational performance and eliminate gender differences. In addition, the Way-Finding Strategy Scale result showed that the females were more likely to adopt the egocentric strategy while males were more likely to adopt the allocentric strategy, and that their scores were negatively correlated with navigational performance. Our results can be used to evaluate the interface designs of navigational support systems taking into consideration gender differences with respect to 3D VR games, including VR diving or flying navigational systems.