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Use of Satellite Tracking in the Efficient Management of Vessels Transiting the Panama Canal

A GPS-based tracking and navigation system was recently developed jointly by the Center for Navigation at the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center and the Panama Canal Commission (PCC) as part of a major project to enhance the vessel traffic management system of the Panama Canal. To achieve maximum utilization of the Canal, regular, accurate, and reliable knowledge of location is necessary not only for transiting vessels but also for the PCC resources supporting the transits. PCC resources include tugboats, launches, land-based personnel vehicles, and emergency vehicles. Additionally, the tracking information supports an automated vessel and resource scheduling system being developed by the new Panama Canal Authority.

The operational Communications Tracking and Navigation (CTAN) System can track vessels intending to use the Canal hours in advance of their arrival at the anchorages. Arriving vessels are tracked by radar at both ends of the Canal. This information is integrated with the GPS information and presented in a real-time graphic display developed jointly by the Volpe Center and Panama Canal pilots. Before vessels begin a transit, light-weight mobile units equipped with a differential GPS (DGPS) receiver, a laptop processor with a display monitor, and digital communications components are carried on board by PCC personnel. These mobile units offer PCC pilots and shore-side personnel critical information for better managing the safe navigation of the vessels. Pilots, for instance, are able to better control meeting situations and ascertain traffic conditions at any point of the Canal. Additionally, pilots have access to real-time information on the availability and/or readiness of support resources needed at critical points in the transit, such as the locks and the Gaillard Cut. This information also is provided to a shore-side control center, where other PCC personnel can obtain, evaluate, and disseminate all of the information needed for timely management of the traffic in the waterway.

The main elements of the CTAN are:

• Two radio-beacon transmitters
• Two DGPS reference stations
• High-speed ship-to-shore/shore-to-ship data link
• Mobile units
• Communications and Control center

For more information contact James Carroll at carrollj@volpe.dot.gov.

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