Tasks of developing the aquatory for testing autonomus ships in inland waterways

¹ Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping, 5/7 Dvinskaya, Saint Petersburg, 198035, Russia
² Volga-Balt State Basin Administration, 15B Vilenskiy, Saint-Petersburg, 191014, Russia

^* Correspondent author: OlhovikEO@gumrf.ru

Abstract

For successful implementation of unmanned technologies on water transport, it is proposed to create a specialized test area where autonomus ships and technologies of autonomus navigation could be tested in real conditions. The paper considers the solution of the problem of placement and technical equipment of the test aquatory, provided that risks are minimized, including collision prevention and environmental damage. To select the location of this aquatory, the features of the inland waterways of the European part of the Russian Federation were analyzed and the requirements for this water area were formulated. As a result, two test sites were proposed that allow for all the necessary types of tests of autonomus ships. The paper synthesizes the main parameters, such as the availability of navigation and hydrographic information, electronic cartography, etc. As a result of the study, a site in lake Ladoga was selected. In order to complete the full cycle of necessary measures during the tests and ensure the safety of navigation in a given area, it was decided to design the test aquatory as a set of three maneuvering zones for an unmanned vessel: the safe free maneuvering zone during testing, the turning zone - area of restricted maneuverability on courses and speeds, as well as on the shift of the steering wheel, and the extra safety maneuvering area used to prevent navigation accidents in difficult navigation conditions. The proposed location and concept of the test aquatory fully meet all the requirements for such an innovative infrastructure at the international level.