Towards Intelligent Waterway Lock Control for Port Facility Optimisation

High tidal ranges pose a significant challenge for affected ports. Waterway locks ensure sufficient water levels but their use often coincides with a loss of water in the harbour basins. As an alternative to energy-intensive pumping stations, it is desirable to fill the port naturally, e.g., by opening the lock gates at high tides. Unfortunately, this is a complex and dynamic scheduling problem due to manifold contributing factors. This paper outlines a novel architecture towards intelligent control for waterway lock operations. The concept employs a multi-agent system to cope with the problem complexity and dynamics. Its software agents represent relevant stakeholders, thereby integrating prediction models derived from machine learning.