Determining the Proper Times and Sufficient Actions for the Collision Avoidance of Navigator-Centered Ships in the Open Sea Using Artificial Neural Networks

Abstract

Ship collisions are a major maritime accident; various systems have been proposed to prevent them. Through investigating and analyzing the causes of maritime accidents, it has been established that ship collisions can either caused by delaying actions or not taking the sufficient actions to avoid them. Recognizing the limitations in providing quantitative numerical values for avoiding ship collisions, this study aimed to use Bayesian regularized artificial neural networks (BRANNs) to suggest the proper time and sufficient actions required for ship collision avoidance consistent with the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. We prepared the data by calculating the proper times and sufficient actions based on precedent research and used them to train, validate, and assess the BRANNs. Subsequently, an artificial neural network controller was designed and proposed. The data of the proposed neural network controller were verified via simulation, validating the controller. This study is limited in cases such as overtaking a ship in front. However, it is expected that this controller can be improved by establishing the criteria for an appropriate overtaking distance after further examining the closest point of approach (CPA) and time to the CPA (TCPA) for overtaking a ship in front and using the method presented herein.