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.
The Hydrological IT Framework of the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration, Germany
The Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV) in Germany provides as main tasks the safe and easy of inland and coastal shipping transport. To assure these main tasks information technology (IT) solutions and their operation are playing a major role. As central IT support and development section the Federal Waterway and Research Institute with their Information Technology Division are in charge for these developments. Beginning in the year 2000 the hydrological IT framework was redesigned to generate a structured data flow combining the elements of data acquisition, data processing and data distribution providing a standardised intranet solution and an eGovernment application. The data acquisition using different telemetric systems as well as onand offline components were standardised introducing a simultaneous online data transfer system which is connected to regional hydrological data storages. The regional hydrological data storages are grouped in three Citrix Metaframe terminal server farms split in seven server locations and providing the hydrological application software. For the data acquisition the WISKI workbench systems of the Kisters AG is used; existing of different modules for data validation, standardised reporting, stage and flow regulations, tidal and stream flow analysis. Using the Citrix Secure Gateway technology and web interface the internet access for the operation of the system is guaranteed and all components can be used from variable access. Server balancing and WISKI backup database servers provide a high working performance and security. The regional hydrological data storages provide the raw and analysed data to a central hydrological information system for the flood and storm tide warning service, e-Government applications, archiving of historical data and further distribution services.