Extension of Coding CEVNI Signs and Marking for European Waterways
This paper presents a new method of coding for signs and marking, which is based on the extension of signs and marking described in Annexes 7 and 8 of the European Code for Inland Waterways (CEVNI). Being members of three European expert groups, we have proposed these new codes of waterway signs and marking and recommend them for cases where they can be efficiently used. The main goal is to enable the use of these codes in databases, GIS systems and Web applications for efficient maintenance of waterway information. In addition, they will also contribute to international data exchange for creating standardised electronic messages described by ERI and NtS working groups. The intention is not to amend the existing coding from the Inland ECDIS Standard, which was developed for creation of Electronic Navigation Charts (ENCs). For example, the use of these new codes is tested through the Web GIS application for presentation of inland waterway signs and marking on the Danube River in Croatia. The application examples concern automatically generated reports on the position, characteristics and functioning of different waterway signs and river navigation marking located on the digital map.
Application of GIS and Web technologies for Danube waterway data management in Croatia
Abstract The paper gives a general description of the Danube waterway data management in Croatia at both national and Pan-European levels. For these purposes, we initiated the development of a specialized geographic information system (GIS), the so-called River IS, which provides efficient waterway related data management for the Croatian part of the Danube River. In addition, Croatian activities in the Pan-European programme Consortium Operational Management Platform River Information Services (COMPRIS) and INTERREG project data warehouse for the Danube waterway (D4D) are described. Focusing on how to solve the major problems identified by “GIS Forum Danube” expert groups, we present our solutions for two important D4D project objectives. The first project objective concerns preparation of national GIS data of the participating countries in the world geodetic WGS84 coordinates as well as checking the transnational compatibility of GIS data. The second important project objective concerns the development of a commonly agreed catalogue of object types and their attributes necessary to describe waterway related data. For example, the conversion of the Croatian national geographic data into Inland ECDIS digital navigation maps is described.
Color image based sorter for separating red and white wheat
A simple imaging system was developed to inspect and sort wheat samples and other grains at moderate feed-rates (30 kernels/s or 3.5 kg wheat/h). A single camera captured color images of three sides of each kernel by using mirrors, and the images were processed using a personal computer (PC). Real time image acquisition and processing was enabled on an ordinary PC under Windows XP operating system using the IEEE 1394 data transfer protocol, DirectX application software, and dual-core computer processor. Image acquisition and transfer to the PC required approximately 17 ms per kernel, and an additional 1.5 ms was required for image processing. After classification, the computer could output a signal from the parallel port to activate an air valve to divert (sort) kernels into a secondary container. Hard red and hard white wheat kernels were used in this study to test and demonstrate sorter capability. Simple image statistics and histograms were used as features. Discriminant analysis was performed with one, two, or three features to demonstrate classification improvements with increased numbers of features. The sorter was able to separate hard red kernels from hard white kernels with 95 to 99% accuracy, depending on the wheat varieties, feed-rate, and number of classification features. The system is an economical and useful instrument for sorting wheat and other grains with high accuracy.