Comprehensive Assessment of Automatic Identification System (AIS) Data Application to Anti-collision Manoeuvring

Abstract

The use of radar information for collision avoidance is common, however it is effective only for constant values of ship motion parameters. As information delays or information errors occur, it is reasonable to supplement the information derived fromradar with another information system. An ideal systemshould operate automatically and continuously.Asystem that appears to be suitable to provide this kind of information is theAutomatic Identification System (AIS),whichmay be classified as a radio communication systemthat uses radiowaves to transmit datawith regard to ship motion parameters. In this paper the topic of integrity and completeness of AIS information is discussed and the research results for the completeness and integrity of dynamic information are presented. In addition, the outcomes ofAIS information correctness fromthe Gulf of Gdańsk were compared with studies carried out in the Baltic Sea, east of Bornholm, between Trelleborg and Arkona. The results of research for AIS dynamic information with the highest completeness (Position, Course over Ground and Speed over Ground) are presented. The research outcomes presented in the paper lead to the conclusion that AIS could deliver useful supplementary information in the process of collision avoidance.