Integrated vessel traffic management systems in the function of inland waterway traffic optimization

Abstract

Awareness of an efficient and sustainable vessel traffic management is a result of raised traffic congestion as well as of increased waiting times at locks and inland ports. The established vessel traffic management systems will have to be modified by 2025, to challenge the expected increase in the transport demand on navigable European inland waterways. Substantial benefits to traffic flow optimization are anticipated by the dissemination of an accurate information regarding the waterway and the management of the locks in the waterway network. Positive effects resulting from a harmonised implementation of traffic management systems optimize also the use of waterway infrastructure by means of reducing dredging activities and lock utilization. The outcomes of this paper will give a concise assessment of the benefits of an integrated traffic management implementation to private and public stakeholders of inland navigation. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.