Intelligent collision avoidance decision-making method for unmanned ships based on driving practice

• Main Authors: Zhiguo DING, Xinyu ZHANG, Chengbo WANG, Quan LI, Lanxuan AN
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Editorial Office of Chinese Journal of Ship Research 2021-02-01
• Series: Zhongguo Jianchuan Yanjiu
• Subjects: unmanned ship; driving practice; intelligent collision avoidance decision-making; international regulations for preventing collisions at sea (colregs)
• Online Access: http://www.ship-research.com/cn/article/doi/10.19693/j.issn.1673-3185.01781

Objective In order to realize the intelligent navigation and autonomous collision avoidance of unmanned ships in coastal areas, an intelligent collision avoidance decision-making method based on driving practice is proposed. Method First, the real-time rationality and uniqueness of the unmanned ship intelligent collision avoidance decision-making process is analyzed. The ontology conceptual model of the navigation situation is then designed and combined with the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea (COLREGS) and good seamanship practices, and the ship encounter scenarios are quantitatively divided into 12 types. An improved composite collision risk index assessment model is then proposed from the perspective of piloting practice to reflect collision risk more accurately. Finally, an intelligent collision avoidance decision-making model based on operator's perspective (BOP) is established, and the optimal collision avoidance strategy is solved by taking the shortest total collision avoidance path as the objective function under the constraints of ship maneuverability and rudder angle amplitude limit. Simulation experiments are then conducted in different obstacle environments. Results The simulation results show that this method can accurately determine the piloting situation, provide a reasonable steering strategy and achieve effective collision avoidance in different obstacle environments. Conclusion This study provides a theoretical basis and method for realizing the intelligent collision avoidance decision-making and dynamic local collision avoidance path planning of ships.