Simulation models of vessel traffic flow in inland multi-bridge waterway

In an inland multi-bridge waterway, vessel behaviors are influenced and restricted by various factors such as people, ships, environment and management etc.; the behaviors are always different with the temporal and spatial change; it is also difficult to use accurate mathematical model to describe the behaviors; and moreover water traffic is not suitable for experiments using real vessels. Hence people naturally think that the simulation is a good method to mimic behaviors of the vessels. This paper puts forward simulation models for simulating vessel traffic in the inland multi-bridge waterway. Main contents of this paper are as follows: probability distribution models of vessel traffic flow are obtained through the analysis of historical data of vessel traffic flow in the bridge area waterway; vessel generation model and route model is setup using the Monte Carlo method; the navigation behavior simulation model is present using the Multi-Agent method and the vessel agents are with the perception, interaction and reasoning ability, obey the traffic rules in different legs, and can finish the overtaking, following and obstacle avoidance behavior during the voyage. This research can quantitatively or visually analyzes behavior characteristics of the vessel, and offer means and methods for the evaluation of channel transit capacity, navigation risk, and organization and management ability.