Safe Ship Control Method with the Use of Ant Colony Optimization

Abstract

Nowadays Integrated Bridge Systems are applied on board a ship to increase safety of navigation. These systems consist of many electronic devices such as radar, ECDIS and autopilot, which aid the deck officer in the process of conducting navigation. Despite that, ship accidents caused by human error still occur. The paper presents new method of safe ship control in collision situations. Ant Colony Optimization is applied to determine safe ship trajectory. Developed algorithm is applicable for situations in restricted waters, where most of collision situations occur. International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) are taken into consideration in the process of solution construction. The task of collision avoidance at sea is defined as dynamic optimization problem with the use of static and dynamic constraints. Static constraints are represented by lands, canals, shallows, fairways, while other ships constitute dynamic constraints. Described method was implemented in MATLAB programming language. Performed simulation tests results of encounter situations with one target ship as well as with many target vessels are presented. Received solutions confirm successful application of this method to the problem of ships collisions avoidance. Developed algorithm deals also with more complex situations. This new algorithm is planned to be implemented in anti-collision decision support system on board a ship, what would contribute to enhance safety of maritime transport.