Waterway Conditions Research Articles

Overall Scheme Design of Green Typical Demonstration Ship Types under the Background of Double-Carbon Policy

In order to explore the overall design and research issues of green typical demonstration ship types, this article takes Hunan Province's green typical demonstration ship types as an example. Using a combination of policy interpretation, research analysis, theoretical analysis, and overall design, with the Double Carbon Policy as the background, the overall positioning analysis of the ship type is conducted first. Then, the key technical features and application solutions of the ship type will be introduced to ultimately achieve the goal of matching the design ship type with the waterway conditions

Investigating revealed preferences for urban waterway conditions: A hedonic property valuation study

AbstractThis study examines the impact of urban waterway conditions on property market prices. In general, similar revealed preference studies typically focus on identifying the value associated with changes in attributes such as riparian vegetation or water quality. Using an index that classifies waterways based on the vegetation and channel conditions, we analyse both attributes. Our spatial hedonic property price model findings indicate that buyers are willing to pay premiums ranging from 2.7% to 8.5%, depending on vegetation and channel conditions. However, when the proximity to the waterway is accounted for, we found that properties adjacent to the highest‐ranked vegetation and channel conditions attract a higher premium of 12.8%. Overall, the implicit marginal effects for the distance–condition interaction variables indicate that for lower‐ranked waterway conditions, there is a relative aversion to being adjacent to waterways. The results suggest that there are significant gains to be realised from removing concrete‐lined channels and replacing them with stones for banks, or re‐creating unmodified channels, even if there is only limited scope for increasing vegetation.

Simulation of Oil Spills in Inland Rivers

The shipping volume in inland waterways has been rapidly increasing in recent years. However, it is still challenging to trace oil spills caused by maritime accidents. In this study, the oil spill dispersion trajectory in inland rivers was obtained by simulating the trajectory of oil particles under different waterway conditions based on a simulated flow field. Firstly, the flow field was simulated using a volume of fluid (VOF) model and the solution of an open-channel equation. Then, an oil particle diffusion and drift model was established using Python to simulate the diffusion of the oil. Finally, eight oil spill simulation scenarios were conducted with different channel shapes and cross-sections. The results showed that oil spills spread more extensively in a curved channel with a trapezoidal cross-section compared to other channel shapes and cross-sections. The findings of this research could be used to guide inland river environmental protection and oil spill trajectory tracking.

How resilient are waterways of the Asian Himalayas? Finding adaptive measures for future sustainability

AbstractThe high‐mountain system, a storehouse of major waterways that support important ecosystem services to about 1.5 billion people in the Himalaya, is facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change during the 21st century. Intensified floods, accelerating glacial retreat, rapid permafrost degradation, and prolonged droughts are altering the natural hydrological balances and generating unpredictable spatial and temporal distributions of water availability. Anthropogenic activities are adding further pressure onto Himalayan waterways. The fundamental question of waterway management in this region is therefore how this hydro‐meteorological transformation, caused by climate change and anthropogenic perturbations, can be tackled to find avenues for sustainability. This requires a framework that can diagnose threats at a range of spatial and temporal scales and provide recommendations for strong adaptive measures for sustainable future waterways. This focus paper assesses the current literature base to bring together our understanding of how recent climatic changes have threatened waterways in the Asian Himalayas, how society has been responding to rapidly changing waterway conditions, and what adaptive options are available for the region. The study finds that Himalayan waterways are crucial in protecting nature and society. The implementation of integrated waterways management measures, the rapid advancement of waterway infrastructure technologies, and the improved governance of waterways are more critical than ever.This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water

Sediment deposition of Three Gorges Reservoir and its impact on the reservoir area in recent 20 years

泥沙问题是三峡工程建设与运行中的关键技术问题之一,只有妥善处理好泥沙问题,才能保证三峡工程长期有效使用,维持水库功能的全面发挥。本文首先结合实测水文、河道地形观测资料,对三峡水库运行近20年来的泥沙淤积特性及水库排沙比进行了较为全面的分析研究,并与已有研究成果进行了对比;其次,围绕防洪、航运以及坝前段的泥沙淤积等方面,进一步分析了水库淤积产生的影响。结果表明:三峡水库蓄水以来,在不考虑区间来沙的情况下,三峡水库共淤积泥沙20.484亿t,近似年均淤积1.102亿t,水库排沙比为23.6%,水库年均淤积量为原论证预测值的33%。其中,库区干流段累计淤积泥沙17.835亿m³(变动回水区冲刷0.694亿m³;常年回水区淤积18.529亿m³),淤积在水库防洪库容内的泥沙为1.648亿m³(干、支流分别淤积1.517亿m³和0.131亿m³),占水库防洪库容的0.74%,“十一五”攻关阶段研究得出的多年平均淤积量及排沙比较实测值均偏大,变动回水区冲淤则出现反向的情况,主要原因是研究采用的入库沙量偏大以及近期河道采砂和水库优化调度等影响。水库淤积对防洪库容和地下电厂的影响尚小,对库区部分水道航道条件产生了一定的影响,应加以关注。;Sediment problem is one key technical issue in the construction and operation of the Three Gorges Project. Only by properly handling the sediment problem can we ensure the long-term effective use of the Three Gorges Project and maintain a full play of the reservoir function. In this paper, the characteristics of sediment deposition and the sediment discharge ratio of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) in the past 20 years have been comprehensively analyzed and studied based on the observed hydrological and river topographic data, and compared with the existing research results; Secondly, the influence of reservoir sedimentation is further analyzed in terms of flood control, navigation and sediment deposition in front of the dam. The results show that since the TGR impoundment, the total sediment deposition of the TGR is 2.0484 billion tons, approximately 110.2 million tons per year, the sediment discharge ratio of the reservoir is 23.6%, and the average annual sediment deposition of the reservoir is 33% of the original demonstration prediction value without considering the sediment from the interval. Among them, the accumulated sediment deposition in the main stream section of the reservoir area is 1.7835 billion m³ (69.4 million m³ scoured by the fluctuating backwater area; 1.8529 billion m³ silted by the perennial backwater area), and the sediment deposition in the reservoir flood control storage capacity is 164.8 million m³ (151.7 million m³ silted by the main stream and 13.1 million m³ silted by the tributary respectively), accounting for 0.74% of the reservoir flood control storage capacity. The average annual sediment deposition and sediment discharge measured during the 11th Five Year Plan period are relatively large, the scouring and silting in the fluctuating backwater area are reversed, mainly due to the influence of the large amount of sediment entering the reservoir, the recent sand mining in the river channel and the optimal operation of the reservoir. The influence of reservoir siltation on flood control storage capacity and underground power plant is still small, and it has a certain impact on some waterway conditions in the reservoir area, which should be paid attention to.

Underwater Inspection of Highway Bridges - Recent Trends and Technologies

Underwater engineering evaluations of transportation assets have historically relied largely upon conventional, crewed commercial diving operations, using visual testing (VT) and tactile examination methods to detect surface discontinuities and evaluate site conditions. In practical application, this approach alone is often found to be suboptimal, due to multiple challenges inherent in conducting inspections in the underwater environment. Modern underwater inspections are increasingly reliant upon new technologies, and nondestructive testing methods beyond VT are used during conventional diving inspection to gain a broader picture of the asset and its condition, increasing efficiency while lowering risk in the process. Underwater engineering inspectors today employ traditional nondestructive technologies, including VT, ultrasonic testing (UT), and magnetic particle testing (MT) techniques, in concert with acoustic (sonar) imaging techniques and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to obtain more detailed information about the asset and adjacent waterway conditions. This approach enhances the inspection’s safety and efficiency and reduces risk to the bridge owner and end user. This article discusses today’s underwater bridge inspection approach, emphasizing the NDT technologies utilized and their benefits.

A Network DEA Approach for Performance Evaluation of Safety Supervision and Rescue Capability in the Port Waters of Changjiang MSA

In recent years, the global economic situation and the development of the international shipping industry have been deeply affected by COVID-19. Since 2021, China has gradually recovered its international shipping supply chain industry with the help of government policy support, and its GDP has grown by 8.1% year by year. Under this favorable macroeconomic background, the Yangtze River waterway transportation, with its good waterway conditions, has led to the continuous increase in transportation demands. However, while pursuing rapid economic growth, ensuring the navigation safety and rescue of ships in the waterway has been one of the key issues of concern for maritime divisions along the Yangtze River. Therefore, combined with the network date envelopment data (DEA) model, this study intends to construct a new set of performance evaluation models in line with their safety supervision and rescue capability based on the daily work characteristics of the Changjiang Maritime Safety Administration (MSA). The occurrence of disasters in their port areas has been taken into consideration as the key undesirable variable. This study hopes to screen out worthy pacesetter representatives, and further suggests more targeted improvement options for inefficient maritime authorities to facilitate more effective safety supervision in the future.

Possibilities of Implementation of the System of Automatic Indication of Safe Clearance under the Bridge in Poland

Purpose: In relation to the observed climate changes, the governments of countries- especially those of the European Union- pay more and more attention to the influence of the transport system on the natural environment when creating transport policy. Priority is given to the development of the branches of transport which are least harmful to the environment - rail transport and inland waterways. Due to difficult navigation conditions and poor condition of waterways in Poland, solutions are being implemented to improve the efficiency of inland navigation. One of such solutions is. Approach/Methodology/Design: The first part of the article describes the issues related to inland navigation in Poland, the River Information Services (RIS) system and describes the principles of operation of the system of automatic indication of safe clearance under the bridge. A cost analysis was then made to implement such a system on all bridges with a clearance of less than 5.25 meters on the Oder Waterway. Findings: The system of automatic indication of clearance under the bridge can significantly contribute to safer navigation, more efficient fleet utilization and reduced fuel consumption. Practical Implications: The analysis presented in the paper can serve as a guideline for state authorities and waterway managers regarding the rationale for implementing the system of automatic indication of safe clearance under the bridge and the financial outlays that should be incurred for implementing such a solution. Originality/Value: Inland navigation in Poland is very poorly developed, therefore it is necessary to analyze the possibility of implementing solutions aimed at improving its operation. The system for measuring clearance under bridges is a new solution on a national scale, but one that has a significant impact on the safety and optimization of navigation.

Research on Navigation Safety of FPSO Towing Operation

In order to avoid and reduce the impact of water and underwater activities on navigation, maintain navigation order, protect ocean resources, ensure navigation safety, and promote the development of water transportation economy. Through the investigation and analysis of the project and the scientific evaluation method, the navigation safety of the ships involved in the project under the relevant water environment is analyzed and studied. Taking “Petrobras 76” as an example, the safety of towing is evaluated from the aspects of Meteorology, hydrology and local waterway conditions. Combined with the specific implementation scheme of the project, targeted risk assessment research is carried out. Finally, from the perspective of ship navigation safety, the rationality of the project design scheme is comprehensively evaluated, and the relevant safety is proposed Countermeasures, measures and suggestions for navigation.

Establishment and application of oil spill model in inland waterway

With the construction of reservoirs in China, inland waterway conditions have been greatly improved. The number of ships and tankers navigated in the inland waterways significantly increased which may lead to an increased risk of oil spill accidents. Oil pollution is one of the major threats to economy and ecosystem. To date research on oil spill is mainly focus on marine environment, however it is very limited on inland river. The purpose of this study is to combine our previous liner experimental study of characteristic of spread and transport of oil spill to develop a coupled two-dimensional oil spill model. An oil trajectory model has been conducted and applied for water surface spread simulation in the Luoqi reach of Yangtze River. The results can provide a reference for the prediction of spread and transport of oil spill in inland waterway.

Waterway Design Criteria of Land Reclamation Based on an Environmental Fluid Dynamics Computer Model

Jiang, W.; Zhang, H.; Peng, J.; Song, C., and Li, X., 2020. Waterway design criteria of land reclamation based on an environmental fluid dynamics computer model. In: Yang, D.F. and Wang, H. (eds.), Recent Advances in Marine Geology and Environmental Oceanography. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 108, pp. 89–94. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.Planning design criteria are critical for offshore artificial island land reclamation. To evaluate the coastal environmental impact of land reclamation, a quantitative analysis is carried out based on an environmental fluid dynamics computer (EFDC) model. Eight hypothetical waterway conditions are simulated in three groups (island–shore distance, island–island distance, and waterway direction). The effects of different conditions are compared by hydrodynamic characteristics and water exchange capacity. Based on the simulation results, the waterway design principles could be summarized as three aspects: (1) increasing the distance between the islands and the coast is beneficial to improving water circulation capacity, (2) the distance between artificial islands should be reduced as much as possible to speed up the water flow in the waterway, and (3) the waterways segregating the artificial islands should be as parallel to the coast as possible. It can be observed that the proposed waterway design criteria could provide effective and environmentally friendly guidance for future planning and construction.

A Bender’s based nested decomposition algorithm to solve a stochastic inland waterway port management problem considering perishable product

The inland waterway transportation system provides one of the most economical and environmentally friendly means of transportation with significant contributions to the nation’s overall transportation economy. This study aims to develop a sound and realistic model, capturing diversified inland waterway transportation network-related properties and complex interactions between different transportation entities. Additionally, this study ensures optimal inventory management decisions for perishable products having stochastic availability under unpredictable waterway conditions over time. To this end, we propose a two-stage mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model capturing the aforementioned issues, along with specific concern to the perishable product storage and transportation. Subsequently, we propose a hybrid decomposition algorithm combining the enhanced Benders decomposition algorithm and sample average approximation to solve the large size test instances of this complex problem. Further, a case study considering the inland waterway transportation system of the lower Mississippi River is demonstrated. The sensitivity analysis results show that the system is highly sensitive to the commodity shelf life. With a 60% higher commodity deterioration rate, the overall commodity storage need increases by 12.3%, the total system cost increases by about 33%.

The combination of attraction model and genetic algorithm to predict stream networks

The aim of this study was to use the attraction model to increase the spatial resolution of the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and to use the genetic algorithm to predict stream network in the future and compare its results with stream of extraction of DEM with resolution of 30 m. In the quadrant neighborhood, a neighbor pixel is the only pixel in the same quadrant while in touching neighborhood a neighbor pixel that is the pixel, which physically touches a subpixel. In this method, the pixels were divided into a number of sub-pixels according to the values of the neighboring pixels. The results of the attraction model showed that Scale 2 with the Neighborhood model 2 is more accurate than other Neighborhoods for extracting DEM with higher resolution. The results showed that the predicted stream-network landscapes created using the GLE algorithm had the self-similar tree structure of natural stream networks. Also, the results of the genetic algorithm showed that a change in the degree of waterways in the study area over time compared to the current situation, so that the degree of number of first-class waterways in the future will change to grade 3 due to erosion in upper lands. Therefore, using these models, the condition of waterways can be predicted in the future and better management can be adopted for watersheds.

Investigation of the nominal and effective propeller inflow for a family of inland waterway vessels

Inland vessels operate in a wide range of waterway conditions and sometimes extremely shallow water, where the propeller inflow becomes critical. Knowledge of the wake field is of utmost importance for a proper and efficient design of the propulsion system. To gain a deeper understanding of the inflow conditions at different water depths, four representative inland vessels with the dimensions of a large Rhine vessel and different stern shapes were designed and built as scale models. For the detailed determination of the complex flow phenomena at the stern, a complementary approach of model tests, Stereo Particle Image Velocimetry (3C-PIV) and RANSE CFD calculations was chosen. While the measured resistance profiles differ negligibly between the designs, there are significant differences in the power demand. The integral wake fraction from the propulsion test does not adequately describe this behaviour. Finally, experimental and numerical flow fields could be compared for a deeper insight. • PIV and CFD studies on hull-propulsor interaction of inland ships in shallow water. • Small influence of hull shape in resistance, but distinct effects with propulsion. • Design optimization of inland ships for operating conditions of great importance.

The Magnificent Pilgrimage Route of Borobudur

Abstract. The historical map of Magnificent Pilgrimage Route of Borobudur is the research product of history, cartography, and visual communication. The purpose is to reconstruct the information of ancient pilgrimage routes in the magnificent era of Borobudur temple in Java Island.The pilgrim routes are considered from several factors. First, transportation images factor which is appeared in Borobudur Temple Relief. These images reflect many vehicles in the Buddhist era. There are many types of transportation such as land transportation, river transportation, and sea transportation. The transportation types image drawn on relief are assumed to fit into the technology achievement at that time and associated with the transfer of pilgrims by sea, land, and river comfortably and without harm.Second, the route factors are considered from the transportation technology which connected with trading shipping routes. The story begins from the seafarers and pilgrims through South East Asia. Smooth seas along North Java construct the trading route and ports were being the gate of the island. Ashore, the territories of ruling kingdoms consider the chosen route.Last, topographic and waterway conditions create optional routes to reach Borobudur. Topographic and waterway are generated with the current condition and combined with historical pieces of evidence. Shreds of evidence are collected from many scholars, maps, artefacts, and sites which related to peoples and goods movement.Mainframe focusing on the landscape perspective of the temple. Side information points out the entire journey with small-scale maps, figures, and infographics. Reliefs and characters of Borobudur are used to enrich the element of the map. The product will be drawn on a printed map.

Restoring Murray River floodplain wetlands: Does the sediment record inform on watering regime?

AbstractThe floodplain wetlands of the southern Murray Darling Basin (MDB) have been subject to the impacts of catchment and water resource development for more than a century. Their current degraded state is attributed to the regulation of the rivers and abstraction of water volume for irrigation. The MDB Plan is to return at least 2,750 Gl of mean annual flow to the system to restore the condition of waterways. Considerable recent investment in infrastructure enables water to be released into the basin's floodplain wetlands. The proposed watering regime is underpinned by modelling that suggests that, before regulation, overbank flows would have occurred regularly as discharge peaked in winter and spring. Sediment cores have been extracted from over 50 floodplain wetlands of the southern Murray Basin. Those from several, large meander wavelength billabongs extend for 1,000–5,000 years suggesting that these sites were permanently inundated over that time. Others extend to ~200 years and are presumed not to have accumulated sediment until more recently. The records of most wetlands, however, only extend to the onset of river regulation in the 1920s, suggesting that before then they were not inundated for sufficient duration for net accumulation to occur. Preserved diatoms suggest that the shallow, plant‐dominated wetlands of the past have transitioned to deep, turbid water systems today. As rivers are identified as a source of sediment to wetlands, less regular inundation, rather than more, is a viable option in restoring the ecological function of these floodplain wetlands and in slowing sediment infill.

The influence of riparian vegetation on water quality in a mixed land use river basin

AbstractWorldwide, agricultural activities are associated with environmental impacts including riparian degradation and increased waterway pollution. The Fitzroy Basin of Central Queensland lies within the Brigalow Belt Bioregion, which is currently experiencing the highest rates of tree clearing in Australia driven by grazing activities, and this is likely to increase riparian degradation. Local riparian condition, however, has not been consistently monitored within the Fitzroy Basin, and its relationship with water quality has not been well established. This study assessed riparian condition of waterways in the Fitzroy Basin using two established scoring methods (the Rapid Appraisal of Riparian Condition and the Australian Rivers Assessment System Habitat Assessment) and statistically investigated the relationship between stream water quality and local riparian condition. Twelve sites in six waterways were sampled four times over two years, during ambient (nonflood) conditions. Upstream creeks with poorer riparian condition had elevated dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved manganese, sulfate, and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations. High concentrations of these water quality variables were associated with poor local riparian scores in principal components analysis. Dissolved manganese and sulfate were included in the multiple regression model for riparian scores (r values: 0.83 to 0.86; p < 0.001), and DOC and TN were very significantly negatively correlated with riparian scores (r values: −0.55 to −0.69; p < 0.001). Overall, the results suggest that protecting riparian vegetation in the Fitzroy Basin and restoring degraded riparian zones could aid in improving water quality in waterways within this region.

The Method Research of Setting Standard Principal Dimensions of Inland Ships

Based on the problems of various types of ships and complicated navigational waterway conditions in the development of series of standard principal dimensions of inland ships, and following the principle of conformity, principle of meeting the required minimum grade, principle of adaptability, principle of unity, principle of practicality and principle of perspectiveness, this paper proposes to divide the tonnage series of ships, forms a number of principal dimension programs by the grid method, establishes a technical and economic model and evaluation index system and determines the optimal principal dimension series program by using the comprehensive evaluation method. Examples are given to demonstrate the “series of standard principal dimensions of dry bulk carriers of transport ships in the Ganjiang River, thus proving the correctness of the established model method.

Modelling sailing time and cost for inland waterway transport

Transport time and cost are decisive factors for shippers when they choose a mode for their transport. For inland waterway transport in particular, these aspects are more uncertain and less easy to generalize than for road and rail. This is due to the highly variable waterway conditions on free-flowing rivers and due to the large variety of inland ships. Today´s transport models, however, do not take these factors into account. This paper shows that dynamic fairway conditions, the ship’s amount of propulsion power, and the captain’s behaviour have a substantial impact on the attainable speed and fuel consumption of inland ships. This in turn has a significant impact on attainable sailing schedules and transportation cost, as we demonstrate through a case study for ships sailing on the Rhine-Danube corridor. We, therefore, conclude that there is a clear potential to improve the representation of inland waterway transport in freight models by modelling the effects of actual ship characteristics and waterway conditions at the micro-level.

Missing the link: urban stormwater quality and resident behaviour

Conventional urban drainage systems are designed to reinforce human dominance over the biophysical environment resulting in contaminated surface runoff being discharged into urban waterways. It is widely recognized that poor stormwater quality is one of the main contributing factors to the deterioration of urban rivers. The result is that bluegreen corridors of urban open spaces are compromised by the cumulative impacts of pollution that alter productive ecosystem services and are no longer able to support biodiversity. The problem is partly caused by conventional stormwater infrastructure, which is designed to remove runoff as quickly and efficiently as possible. Yet the condition of an urban waterway cannot be understood simply as a cause and effect relationship, but emerges from interactions between people, drainage and ecological systems. This study aimed to understand the linkage between biophysical and social systems in an urban setting in Cape Town, South Africa. Surface water flowing into roadside catchpits was analysed using multiple water quality parameters. Surveys, interviews and observations explored how local residents understand their impacts on the quality of an urban river. The results show that runoff is highly variable and some environmental conditions, such as rainfall, antecedent dry days and season, are the primary drivers of water quality. However, residents have a poor understanding of the linkages between what they do on the land and impacts on urban rivers. The findings suggest that the predominant focus on technological solutions and flood prevention do not persuade citizens to account for actions that result in deterioration of waterway conditions. Drainage infrastructure fails to connect citizens with their downstream impacts on environmental systems and services. The implication is that most residents ‘miss the link’ – between their actions on land, their impacts on runoff and river water quality, and, in turn, their ability to influence societal patterns and processes. Keywords: stormwater drainage, social-ecological systems, environmental impacts, human behaviour, urban ecology