Cooperative Safe Intersections in Ports and Storages

Ports constitute an important economic activity in coastal areas. Many companies in ports are specialized in goods handling and logistical services. In these complex port areas goods are transported in high frequencies. The following problems and challenges are currently experienced: 1. Safety: a. The view at crossroads is often blocked by buildings or goods which leads to many unsafe situations (appr. 150 accidents per year) b. Small steering mistakes of the driver may result in heavy load falling onto another person 2. The flow of goods needs to be as efficient as possible 3. A increasing lack of employees with the transportation companies which results in increasing waiting times. The overall objectives of OVERSEE (cOoperatiVe safE InteRSEctions in ports and storagEs) are: 1. Increase the safety and throughput of indoor and outdoor intersections in ports by: a. Development of a cooperative control platform which enables vehicles to: i. Avoid collision with other vehicles, pedestrians or objects: 1. by a warning to a driver, followed by autonomously braking 2. by integration in a cooperative control approach for fully autonomous vehicles 3. by stabilizing the load autonomously ii. Adjust their speed in order to enable an optimal flow b. Innovation in the infrastructure (sensors, communication units) – specifically for (indoor and outdoor) port environments. 2. Ensure the innovations are future-proof with respect to: a. Inter-operability b. Full automation c. Traceability of goods 3. Evaluating the effectiveness of the innovations above by simulations and by experimental tests. 4. Increasing the awareness and exploitation possibilities by public demonstrations with at least two demonstration vehicles (e.g. forklift trucks) at two different locations.

1. Public demonstrations of: a. A human-driven vehicle (e.g. a forklift-truck), driving towards a crossing with a blocked view, which automatically warns + brakes for a pedestrian which could not be seen by the driver. b. Two automated vehicles which drive towards a crossing with a blocked view and which automatically adjust their speed such that an optimal flow is realized. 2. Two technical reports: a. Describing the innovations (algorithms, hardware choices, links to automotive standardization, protocols) b. Evaluating the effectiveness of the innovation by a simulation study and experimental results. 3. Two non-technical reports; a. Business plan for commercialization b. Report describing the current legal barriers 4. Several dissemination activities: a. workshops to increase the awareness and exploitation possibilities. b. Publications in technical magazines c. Presentation/pitch to provide business potential at business events d. Movie which will be published on social media like linked-in.

Providing a business potential to the 2seas-region market, resulting in safer ports and a higher throughput. The main stakeholder group in this project are: logistical companies in ports, the port organizations themselves and companies in the field of technologies for automated driving.

To enable interoperability, and to apply ongoing Dutch innovations to neighboring countries. The Ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam are faced with similar challenges. Collaboration supports a unified solution.