Research and Development

The more effectively the ship/waterway system is coordinated, the more efficient, economical and environmentally friendly waterborne transport will become. Potential improvements can be made both in shipping and to waterways.

One focus with regard to shipping is the development of assistance systems for ship handling and remote controls, right through to autonomous shipping. These will enable complicated manoeuvres (such as at lock entrances and exits) to be performed faster and more safely. There is also a great deal of potential in the development of traffic simulations and navigational dynamics models. Comprehensive and up-to-date information and data can be used to identify potential width and depth bottlenecks, to optimise routes and speeds and to reduce fuel consumption.

Locks play a key function for shipping traffic on inland waterways. We aim to increase the mobility and safety of shipping by developing optimised concepts for the filling and emptying of locks.

Studies of climate-induced high and low water phases are some of the BAW's most complex research projects. How do rising sea levels and the increase in extreme weather events, such as dry periods or persistent precipitation, affect federal waterways? We carry out in-depth studies of these phenomena in interdisciplinary teams and use state-of-the-art methods to seek possible solutions.