castle

US Army Corps of Engineers

Coastal Inlets Research Program

Coastal Navigation Portfolio Management

The Coastal Navigation Portfolio Management work unit works to develop novel key performance indicators that augment legacy metrics for managing the coastal navigation portfolio. These key performance indicators are objective, quantitative, systems-based, and derived from data generated by waterway users via the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and other sources.

Underkeel image

Underkeel Clearance-based Metrics

By fusing NOAA's water level data, USACE bathymetric data from eHydro, draft data from Customs and Border Protection, and vessel position data from AIS, the underkeel clearance of vessels transiting maintained waterways can be measured. This represents users' demand for depth that USACE supplies through dredging. The novel capability to estimate demand provides USACE the capability to accurately provide depth where it is needed, instead of where tonnage is highest.
Journal Publications

Portfolio image

Coastal Structure Portfolio Analysis

By analyzing the behavior of vessels near coastal structures and environmental factors affecting structures, it is possible to classify every structure into a management cohort where traffic behaves similarly. By classifying structures this way, it is possible to manage structures as similar assets within an asset class, instead of a collection of unique structures. Appropriate maintenance activity can be directed to where they're most needed, instead of where tonnage is highest.
Journal Publication

Sheltering image

Coastal Structure Sheltering Metrics

By observing the momentary attitude of vessels in transit relative to their course over ground, it is possible to measure how coastals structures are performing. By tracking this metric over time, it is possible to determine the rate at which their performance degrades. This in turn provides insight as to which structures are most in need of repair.
Journal Publication

Other Papers/Reports and Miscellaneous
Title Type Links
Episode 29 – Underkeel Clearance: Quantifying demand for USACE dredging Podcast https://poweroferdcpodcast.org
Managing Navigation Channels with Observed Vessel Usage Coastal Sediments 2023 Paper Presentation
U.S. Port Connectivity and Ramifications for South Atlantic Division Ports ERDC Special Report ERDC Library

Links to other related product pages

Point of Contact
Engineer Research and Development Center
Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory
Vicksburg, MS 39180