MRIT (MARINE RADAR INTERROGATOR-TRANSPONDER) NAVIGATION AID EXPERIMENT

This report describes a simulation experiment in which the track-keeping using a Marine Radar Interrogator-Transponder (MRIT) to fix a ship's position proved to be four times more accurate than track-keeping using conventional systems. The experiment investigated the practical use of MRIT by comparing the navigating capability of mariners using five navigational modes: visual, radar, racom, MRIT with digital display, and MRIT with analog (graphic) display. A MRIT simulation providing very precise (within 50 feet) position information was constructed at the Computer Aided Research Facility (CAORF), as was a simulation of a narrow channel. The performance measures used for analysis were (a) ability to keep prescribed track, (b) number and magnitude of course changes (frequency of course changes increases and magnitude decreases when position data is presented more frequently and accurately), (c) psychological reactions that indicate test subjects' workload.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored in part by Maritime Administration, Washington, DC. Office of Commercial Development.
• Corporate Authors:

  National Maritime Research Center, Kings Point

  Computer Aided Operations Research Facility
  Kings Point, NY  United States  11024

  Maritime Administration

  Office of Commercial Development, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 1978-5

Media Info

• Pagination: 62 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accuracy; Channels (Waterways); Evaluation; Maneuvering; Navigation radar; Navigation systems; Position fixing; Radar; Radar beacons; Radar beacons; Radar devices; Radar tracking; Radio transmitters; Ship pilotage; Ship simulators; Simulation; Transponders; Waterways
• Old TRIS Terms: Narrow channel navigation; Navigation systems evaluation; Position finding; Simulated waterways; Surface navigation; Tracking position
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00327405
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: CAORF-34-7801-01 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Feb 18 1981 12:00AM