Automatic Identification System (AIS) User Requirements

Automatic Identification System AIS is a new technology that should improve situational awareness for the mariner by providing navigation information such as the names, positions, courses, and speeds of vessels in the immediate vicinity. Over the past decade, there has been a great deal of research to support the standards for AIS set forth by the International Maritime Organization IMO, International Telecommunications Union ITU, International Electrotechnical Commission IEC and International Association of Marine Aids-to-Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities IALA. However, there has been little work done to develop the AIS users needs relating to this technology. Without a relevant and easy to use interface, AIS will not be an effective tool for the mariner. This report attempts to describe and qualify some of the requirements for the user interface based on AIS tests conducted in San Francisco Bay, the Baltic Sea and British Columbia. Discussed are issues involving display features such as vessel icons, Vessel Traffic Service VTS information, carry aboard units, and workload issues related to the new technology. Coupled with a user-friendly interface, the AIS information should allow the mariner to focus more time on the navigation situation around them thus increasing situational awareness and safety. This report only scratches the surface. Areas that still need to be explored include enhanced AIS issues such as direct sensor information, shore radar integration, intermodal information, environmental mishaps, and search and rescue responses.