Navigation Data Center Scientists Participate in Inland Navigation Technology Workshop

ALEXANDRIA, VA – February 12, 2009. IWR scientists from its Navigation Data Center (NDC) and Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center (WCSC) attended the Inland Navigation Technology 09 Workshop in Vicksburg, MS on February 2-3, 2009. David Penick (WCSC) and Virginia Pankow (NDC) attended the workshop, which highlighted the impact of digital technology on inland navigation safety and efficiency. The event brought the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), United States Coast Guard (USCG), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Barge and Towing Industry together to share information.

Mr. Penick updated the group on the status of the Federal/Industry Logistics Standardization (FILS) effort.  FILS is standardizing codes for dock facilities, vessels, commodities, rivers and river miles.  The group has representatives from the Barge and Towing industry, USCG, Internal Revenue Service, Customs and Border Protection, and USACE.

USACE reported on inland navigation research and development, related demonstration efforts, status of inland electronic charting and Headquarters initiatives for safer, more reliable waterways and infrastructure.

Representatives from the USGS addressed the latest developments in e-Navigation, including the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and aids to navigation, and how these developments might affect inland marine operations and the inland operator. The Towing Industry, led by the American Waterways Operators Technology Steering Group, described current and future needs as well as ongoing and planned initiatives to meet challenges associated with projected future increases in inland commerce. NOAA discussed their Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS®), coastal electronic charts and other activities. Participants broke into small working groups to brainstorm their vision of the future for new technology improving inland navigation.

About the Navigation Data Center (NDC)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Nation's waterway system to insure efficient and safe passage of commercial and recreational vessels. The support and management of economically sound navigation projects is dependent upon reliable navigation data. The IWR Navigation Data Center establishes and maintains a variety of water transportation information systems. These include databases and statistics pertaining to waterborne commodity and vessel movements, domestic commercial vessel characteristics, port and waterway facilities, lock facilities, lock operations, and navigation dredging projects. All public data are available through the NDC website. More about NDC...

About the Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center (WCSC)

The Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center, under the authority of the Rivers & Harbors Act of 1922, collects, processes, distributes, and archives vessel trip and cargo data. These statistics are used to analyze the feasibility of new projects and to set priorities for new investment and for the operation, rehabilitation and maintenance of existing projects. Data summaries include origin to destination information of foreign and domestic waterborne cargo movements by region and state, and also waterborne tonnage for principal ports and states and territories. Movement data acquired by the Center is primarily for the use of USACE and other government agencies; however, summary statistics, which do not disclose movements of individual companies, are released to private companies and the general public. More about WCSC...

Learn more:

• Navigation Data Center
• Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center