A Method for Enhancing the Traffic Situation Awareness of Vessel Traffic Service Operators by Identifying High Risk Ships in Complex Navigation Conditions

As ship traffic volumes increase and navigable waters become more complex, vessel traffic service operators (VTSOs) face growing challenges to effectively monitor marine traffic. To address the heavy reliance on human expertise in current ship supervision, we propose a method for quickly identifying...

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Main Authors: Lei Zhang, Jiahao Ge, Floris Goerlandt, Lei Du, Tuowei Chen, Tingting Gu, Langxiong Gan, Xiaobin Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/2/379
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author Lei Zhang
Jiahao Ge
Floris Goerlandt
Lei Du
Tuowei Chen
Tingting Gu
Langxiong Gan
Xiaobin Li
author_facet Lei Zhang
Jiahao Ge
Floris Goerlandt
Lei Du
Tuowei Chen
Tingting Gu
Langxiong Gan
Xiaobin Li
author_sort Lei Zhang
collection DOAJ
description As ship traffic volumes increase and navigable waters become more complex, vessel traffic service operators (VTSOs) face growing challenges to effectively monitor marine traffic. To address the heavy reliance on human expertise in current ship supervision, we propose a method for quickly identifying high risk ships to enhance the situational awareness of VTSOs in complex waters. First, the K-means clustering algorithm is improved using the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) to adaptively cluster ships within a waterway, segmenting the traffic in the area into multiple ship clusters. Second, a ship cluster collision risk assessment model is developed to quantify the degree of collision risk for each ship cluster. Finally, a weighted directed complex network is constructed to identify high risk ships within each ship cluster. Experimental simulations show that the proposed WOA–K-means clustering algorithm outperforms other adaptive clustering algorithms in terms of computation speed and accuracy. The developed ship cluster collision risk assessment model can identify high risk ship clusters that require VTSO attention, and the weighted directed complex network model accurately identifies high risk ships. This approach can assist VTSOs in executing a comprehensive and targeted monitoring process encompassing macro, meso, and micro aspects, thus boosting the efficacy of ship oversight, and mitigating traffic hazards.
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spelling doaj-art-ccd50d9a29f2403eb31728b8d757e8f52025-08-20T02:03:39ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122025-02-0113237910.3390/jmse13020379A Method for Enhancing the Traffic Situation Awareness of Vessel Traffic Service Operators by Identifying High Risk Ships in Complex Navigation ConditionsLei Zhang0Jiahao Ge1Floris Goerlandt2Lei Du3Tuowei Chen4Tingting Gu5Langxiong Gan6Xiaobin Li7School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Energy Power Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430062, ChinaSchool of Navigation, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430062, ChinaDepartment of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, CanadaSchool of Navigation, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430062, ChinaSchool of Navigation, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430062, ChinaLaboratory and Equipment Management Service, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430062, ChinaSchool of Navigation, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430062, ChinaSchool of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Energy Power Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430062, ChinaAs ship traffic volumes increase and navigable waters become more complex, vessel traffic service operators (VTSOs) face growing challenges to effectively monitor marine traffic. To address the heavy reliance on human expertise in current ship supervision, we propose a method for quickly identifying high risk ships to enhance the situational awareness of VTSOs in complex waters. First, the K-means clustering algorithm is improved using the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) to adaptively cluster ships within a waterway, segmenting the traffic in the area into multiple ship clusters. Second, a ship cluster collision risk assessment model is developed to quantify the degree of collision risk for each ship cluster. Finally, a weighted directed complex network is constructed to identify high risk ships within each ship cluster. Experimental simulations show that the proposed WOA–K-means clustering algorithm outperforms other adaptive clustering algorithms in terms of computation speed and accuracy. The developed ship cluster collision risk assessment model can identify high risk ship clusters that require VTSO attention, and the weighted directed complex network model accurately identifies high risk ships. This approach can assist VTSOs in executing a comprehensive and targeted monitoring process encompassing macro, meso, and micro aspects, thus boosting the efficacy of ship oversight, and mitigating traffic hazards.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/2/379vessel traffic serviceWOA–K-meansship collisioncomplex networkrisk analysis
spellingShingle Lei Zhang
Jiahao Ge
Floris Goerlandt
Lei Du
Tuowei Chen
Tingting Gu
Langxiong Gan
Xiaobin Li
A Method for Enhancing the Traffic Situation Awareness of Vessel Traffic Service Operators by Identifying High Risk Ships in Complex Navigation Conditions
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
vessel traffic service
WOA–K-means
ship collision
complex network
risk analysis
title A Method for Enhancing the Traffic Situation Awareness of Vessel Traffic Service Operators by Identifying High Risk Ships in Complex Navigation Conditions
title_full A Method for Enhancing the Traffic Situation Awareness of Vessel Traffic Service Operators by Identifying High Risk Ships in Complex Navigation Conditions
title_fullStr A Method for Enhancing the Traffic Situation Awareness of Vessel Traffic Service Operators by Identifying High Risk Ships in Complex Navigation Conditions
title_full_unstemmed A Method for Enhancing the Traffic Situation Awareness of Vessel Traffic Service Operators by Identifying High Risk Ships in Complex Navigation Conditions
title_short A Method for Enhancing the Traffic Situation Awareness of Vessel Traffic Service Operators by Identifying High Risk Ships in Complex Navigation Conditions
title_sort method for enhancing the traffic situation awareness of vessel traffic service operators by identifying high risk ships in complex navigation conditions
topic vessel traffic service
WOA–K-means
ship collision
complex network
risk analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/2/379
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