Summary

Already being described as a public aim, waterways are evolving towards a more service-oriented direction taking user needs into account. Ongoing project RISING, co-funded by the European Union within the Seventh Framework Programme, is based on the assumption that the predictive and real-time exchange of information makes inland waterway transport a considerable safe, secure and reliable mobility option.

Content

The project has the overall objective of identifying, integrating and further developing information services such as River Information Services (RIS) in order to efficiently support inland waterway transport and logistics operations. It is expected to have a positive impact on services such as voyage planning, fleet terminal management and event management for inland/sea ports.

With regard to voyage planning, RIS information can provide data on water level, water depth, maximum height/bridges, berth availability, lock occupation (actual and predictions/forecasts) used for routing, stowage planning, etc.

Europe’s freight transport system has much room for improvement: congestion, capacity problems and delays affect mobility and economic competitiveness and are detrimental to the environment and quality of life. Additionally, growing overseas trade and EU enlargement towards Central and Eastern Europe are key economic factors which have a great impact on freight transport volumes in Europe.

According to forecasts, freight transport volumes are expected to increase by one third until 2015. Present patterns of transport growth and the reliance on road transport have led to congestion and pollution in many regions, the costs of which are expected to double to 1% of Europe’s annual GDP in 2010.

The EU has committed itself to pursue energy-conserving, cleaner and safer transport modes. Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) is an obvious choice to play a more prominent role in reaching these targets. In view of this situation, all modes must become more environmentally friendly, safer and more energy efficient as well as easily adaptable.

The next meeting of RISING's Advisory Committee is scheduled for summer 2011, when the first developed prototypes are expected to be in operation.