An inland waterway navigation simulation. NOTE: Validation procedures were completed for this model in 2020 using Ohio River 2013 and 2014 AIS barge data as reported in "Utilizing agent-based modeling to evaluate operational impacts of an incident and possible alternatives on US waterways". However there are no guarantees as to its accuracy in other situations.

This repo holds the code (Netlogo) for an agent-based model of inland waterway tow traffic in the context of extreme weather events conceptualized in

NELSON, K., CAMP, J., & PHILIP, C. Paper 123-Navigable Inland Waterway Transportation Modeling: A Conceptual Framework and Modeling Approach for Consideration of Climate Change Induced Extreme Weather Events.

and used to produce simulations reported in

Nelson, K. S., Camp, J. V., Philip, C. E., & Abkowitz, M. D. (2017). Agent-Based Model of Navigable Inland Waterway Tow Operation Procedures. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, (2611), 11-18.

The model uses safe distance-based traffic logic (continous distance NOT discrete patch-based distance), and adds logic for navigation of locks and dams, passing procedures, one-way zone passage procedures, and bridge passage navigation procedures. The model interface includes a set of modifiable parameters that are revelvant to tow operation decisions made during extreme weather events and that are influenced by official Waterway Action Plan (WAP) guidance documents. As the original purpose of the model was to determine the possible influence of WAP-based desicions this model does not currently include any parameters that modify tow operations based on physical characteristics of the waterway or ships, or hydrological conditions. The model visualizes the waterway as a straight line segment but does allow for some customization by location (rivermile of locks and dams and bridges). Also included in the repo are an updated version of the model and R scripts used in processing simulation data in a validation study.

To run model:

1. Install Netlogo 3D version 3.2 or 3.3
2. Download the time, xw, and csv extensions into the Netlogo program extension folder
3. Open the model and input a filename (to save model output to) and operating parameters for the model run (I use 8 digit date and one alpha numeric character, processing scripts in R are based on this naming convention)
4. Go to the River Setup Tab set location of locks and dams
5. Go back to the Interface tab and click go

If you use this model code please cite

Nelson, K. S., Camp, J. V., Philip, C. E., & Abkowitz, M. D. (2017). Agent-Based Model of Navigable Inland Waterway Tow Operation Procedures. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, (2611), 11-18.