A GPS-based system for precise shipping guidance and control

This paper discusses the general concept of an automatic berthing system. The research considered the automatic berthing of a large merchant ship. A global positioning system (GPS)-based system, which provides the necessary information on position, velocity, attitude (roll, pitch, and heading), angular velocity, and time, was the principal sensor used. Field tests were conducted on board a hydrographic sounding ship to assess the quality of information obtained from a GPS-based system. The data were processed using the software with which the algorithms developed in this research were implemented. This paper also discusses various aspects concerning a real-time GPS-based system in relation to an automatic berthing system, such as integration of sensors, mathematical models, port infrastructure, and training of crews. Received: October 22, 1999 / Accepted: June 30, 2000     

Case study on health assessments related to a modal shift in transportation

Historically, the emphasis on environmental problems has been on visible pollution. However, as a result of the reduction in visible pollution in recent years, many people have become anxious about invisible dangers. The method for objectively evaluating these invisible dangers is risk assessment. Therefore, in the present study we propose and discuss a method for evaluating the influence of a modal shift in transportation on cancer risk using the technique of risk assessment. First, two representative transportation routes were selected for analysis. Subsequently, the level of airborne carcinogens from the exhaust of ships and trucks was determined. Next, the concentration of each carcinogen in locations across Japan was calculated. Finally, the number of people in Japan who will suffer from cancer related to these emissions was derived and the effects of the modal shift on health are discussed.