Development and Trials of a Vessel Self-Positioning System for the St. Lawrence Seaway Locks

This document describes the development and trials of a vessel self-positioning system for the Saint Lawrence Seaway locks. A literature search and a study of several companies specializing in measurement and positioning equipment uncovered several promising technologies. Amongst those that would lend themselves best to prototyping, two technologies in particular seem to meet the requirements: the laser range-finder, and image analysis. A laser range-finder device for two-dimensional measurement was selected for further testing and rating of performance. A prototype installed at the Cote Sainte-Catherine lock gathered data during the summer and autumn of 2005 in order to verify the range and precision of this type of instrument under various atmospheric conditions. The results show that a single measuring device of this type is capable of positioning full-size vessels. A permanent system installation is recommended in order to improve system performance.

• Record URL:
  • http://data.tc.gc.ca/archive/eng/innovation/tdc-summary-14500-14559e-1452.htm
• Corporate Authors:

  Transport Canada

  Transportation Development Centre, 800 Rene-Levesque Boulevard West, Suite 600
  Montreal, Quebec  Canada  H3B 2X1

  Maritime Innovation

  53 St. Germain St. West
  Rimouski, Quebec G5L 4B4,   Canada 
• Authors:
  • Levesque, Yan
• Publication Date: 2006-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 52p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aids to navigation; Hydraulic equipment; Locks (Waterways); Navigation; Ship navigational aids; Ships; Technological innovations
• Geographic Terms: Saint Lawrence Seaway
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Operations and Traffic Management; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01031333
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: TP 14559E
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 23 2006 7:59AM