A risk analysis of autonomous vessels in complex urban waterways

Abstract

Autonomous vessels have become one potential alternative for the concept of urban mobility. In complex urban waterways, autonomous vessels could assist in the transporting of goods and people. The recent development of technologies enabling autonomous systems has supported the initial design of new autonomous vessels concepts. However, before these concepts are further designed and operated, it is necessary to analyze their risks to develop strategies for ensuring the safety of people and the protection of the natural environment. In this study, an initial analysis is elaborated to assess the application of autonomous vessels in Chao Phraya River in Bangkok and Larn island in eastern Thailand. The aim is to provide an initial analysis of the risks of autonomous vessels by developing an initial overview of the application of the autonomous vessels in the mentioned operational context. The capabilities of the proposed process to analyze these risks are also evaluated.