One of the most critical parameters for safe navigation on the Mississippi River is knowledge of the river currents. Experienced captains know the expected river conditions in key locations and how to read the surface of the river to make critical decisions on how to proceed. The currents in the approaches (mainly up-river) to the Mississippi River bridges (MRBs) are of special interest to tow captains. The MRBs @ Natchez, Vicksburg and Greenville have all been struck by barges. Some of these incidents have the potential to be catastrophic and highlight the need to undertake measures to improve navigation around critical structures. High river stages on the Mississippi River result in high, turbulent flows that significantly influence a vessel¿s ability to navigate safely on the river. Consequently, collisions of vessels with bridges, other structures and other vessels tend to increase during high river stages. Presently, very limited real-time river current data are being measured and, therefore, river pilots are forced to rely on visual observations and experience to assess river currents. Not even the US Coast Guard has access to real-time current measurements and must rely on observations of how well river traffic is proceeding to provide guidance on river operations.

Demonstrate the capability of a real-time current velocity (RTCV) monitoring system in assisting in river traffic safety. Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) (ADCP is a sonar that attempts to produce a record of water current velocities for a range of depths. ADCPs can be configured in many ways: side-listening, into rivers and canals for long term continuous current velocity measurements, downward-listening and mounted on boats for instantaneous surveys in the ocean or rivers, and mounted on moorings, or the seabed for long term current & wave studies) will be used to acquire real-time, three dimensional, river current velocities and data which will be transmitted via an existing Automatic Identification System (AIS) to surrounding vessels.

Install a RTCV monitoring system on the approach to the Mississippi River Bridge at Vicksburg as a pilot. After evaluating the pilot, the project may be expanded to add RTCV monitoring systems to the bridge approaches at Natchez and Greenville. The pilot project at Vicksburg will include the following tasks: ¿ Literature Review: A critical evaluation and review of the technology is proposed. At first glance it appears that ADCP is the technology that most promising for this application, however a thorough review of other potential technologies will be performed. ¿ Stakeholder Meetings: A Technical Advisory Committee made up of project partners, stakeholders and other technical experts will meet as necessary to facilitate the completion of the research. ¿ Hydraulic Modeling: Modeling is proposed to optimize the location of the installation and to configure the ADCP (e.g. side or downward listening). ¿ Site specific RTCV system design: Based on the site hydraulic modeling, the mounting configuration and size of the ADCP unit will be designed. The location of the CCTV camera at the bridge site will be determined. ¿ Installation: ADCP unit will be installed upriver from the bridge site. CCTV camera will be installed at the bridge site. ¿ Integration with MDOT Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), the US Coast Guard and other project partners upon request: The data and video feed will be made available for incorporation into other applicable or requested datasets and applications. ¿ Verification of the Data: Internal Quality Assurance of the data will be performed continuously (see below for more details). In addition, in situ measurements of the flow direction and speed will be made to determine data accuracy. ¿ Maintenance of the System: During the Project Duration, routine maintenance will be performed on the ADCP and its components as required. ¿ River Captain Training and Survey: Initially a meeting with operators will be scheduled to explain the system and the data being transmitted. Near the end of the project a survey of the Captains will be performed to determine the benefit to the operator in navigating the River Bridge. Project Deliverables: ¿ Quarterly progress reports and any other reports as requested by Project Technical Advisory Committee ¿ Site-specific RTCV design sheets and system technical specifications ¿ CCTV video of bridge traffic transmitted to MDOT Statewide TMC and other stakeholders as designated by MDOT. Camera must provide 360 degree and Infrared views ¿ Real-Time current data via Internet to MDOT, USCG and other stakeholders designated by the Project Technical Advisory Committee ¿ Data Quality Test Plan ¿ Final Evaluation & Long-term Sustainability Plan

The minimum state commitment expected is $50,000.