Evaluation of ultrasonic berth sensors in the port environment: case study Port of Cristo

Abstract

Berth occupancy sensors are used to monitor and determine the presence of vessels at a berth on a daily basis to improve port management and make a port more efficient and competitive. This paper presents an evaluation of wireless ultrasonic berth occupancy sensors by analyzing the accurate and inaccurate detection of berth occupancy and the efficiency of the sensors under different berth status conditions, highlighting the main causes of false detections. Results revealed that sensors' accuracy for berth status detection range from 35% to 92%. The most common causes of inaccurate berth occupancy detection are sea currents, inadequate sensor positioning, damage to the sensor, exceeding boat-to-sensor distance, ropes from adjoining berths, and surrounding vegetation.