Use of Advanced Information Technologies for Marine Accident Data Analysis Visualization and Quality Control

Abstract

With increasing attention being given to vulnerable U.S. transportation system infrastructure, several different types of risk assessments are being performed. As this applies to marine transportation, one area of risk analysis is safe transport on the inland waterway network. Along the approximately 10,000 miles of navigable waterway in the United States reside major bridges, locks and dams, and population centers. Not only could an incident affect human health, property, and the ecology, but were it to make the network impassable, this could also cause a ripple effect throughout the U.S. economy. This article explores how advanced information technology can be used for identification and visualization of hazardous locations along U.S. navigable waterways. The initial intent of this research was to identify these locations using Geographic Information Systems technology. However, it soon became apparent that there were significant quality issues with the U.S. Coast Guard accident data. Consequently, visualization using satellite imagery (in programs such as Google Earth) proved valuable in validating accident locations and understanding how characteristics of each location may have contributed to accident causation and consequence. This article therefore also discusses how cost-effective technologies can be meaningfully applied to marine casualty data analysis and validation.

A study of the distribution of marine incidents in the harbours and waters surrounding Taiwan

“…GISs are unique tools that enable greater visualization and understanding of complex problems and permit sophisticated analysis of objects based on their spatial locations. 21 Maps and spatial analysis can reveal patterns, identify problems, and show connections that may not be apparent in tables or text. GIS allows us to visualize, question, analyse, and interpret data to elucidate relationships, patterns, and trends.…”

“…20 GIS enables complex analysis of objects based on their spatial locations of digital charts. 21 Objects can be grouped into layers, and information about each object is maintained in a relational database. For visualizing marine accident data, Dobbins and Abkowitz 21 employed the technologies of GIS and Google Earth to investigate the most frequent allision, collision, and grounding accident locations and the highest accident rate locations on the inland waterway network in the United States.…”

Evaluation of Passenger Vessel Accidents and Spatial Analysis

“…CBS'nin denizcilik alanında kullanımı da çok eski bir geçmişe sahip değildir [25]. CBS deniz kazalarının haritalandırılması ve takibi için önemli bir araçtır ve son zamanlarda deniz kazalarının analizinde popular olarak kullanılmaya başlanmıştır [25,28]. CBS ile tek bir veri tabanı içerisinde geniş miktarda veriyi sorgulamak ve analiz etmek mümkündür [29].…”

Freight Performance Measures: Approach Analysis

“…MISLE data can be made available to state agencies but not does not appear to be available without a request. In a recent paper, Dobbins and Abkowitz (2010) show how the data can be used to tabulate and display waterway accidents.…”

“…Prior to 2001, these data were housed in MINMod (Marine Investigation Module) and prior to 1991 in CASMAIN (Casualty Maintenance) (Dobbins and Abkowitz, 2010). Marine casualty or accident are defined by 46 CFR Subpart 4.03 the term "marine casualty or accident'' applies to events caused by or involving a vessel and includes persons overboard or diving accidents and incidents that result in grounding; stranding; foundering; flooding; collision; allision; explosion; fire; reduction or loss of a vessel's electrical power, propulsion, or steering capabilities.…”