Flanders Automation and Remote Operation

ongoing

The Global Project “Global Masterplan Automation” aims to equip all Flemish waterways and corresponding moveable waterway infrastructure (MWI) such as moveable bridges, locks, weirs, pumping stations and water power stations, with remote control capability and advanced automation by 2032. They will be operated from three large remote control centers (RCC’s) in Evergem, Willebroek and Hasselt, in a fully interconnected network. The project 'Flanders Automation and Remote Operation' (FARO) is a crucial part of the roadmap towards the goal of full MWI remote operation, on the pre-identified sections of the EU Core Network, in the North Sea-Mediterranean Core Network corridor as well as parts of the North Sea-Baltic corridor and the Rhine-Alpine TEN-T corridor. FARO consist of modernizing 56 moveable waterway infrastructures (MWI) on 10 different corridors, out of 14 corridors in total. This project will support the digitalisation of inland waterways, facilitating the freight transport with efficient, safe and green inland waterway transport. By centralizing the operation of locks and bridges from a central remote control centre, the project aims to achieve: • Improved traffic flow thanks to better coordination between different locks and bridges in the corridor allowing faster, more efficient and safer shipping. • Expansion of operating times since remote control centres enable operators to control locks and bridges 24/7. • Coordinated approach towards operational shipping assistance and water management. In the event of calamities coordinated actions can be organized in a quicker and more efficient way. • A higher level of safety and protection for shipping, operating personnel and third parties. • Overall improvement of service provision thanks to a more efficient and uniform method of operation. This leads to a more reliable and qualitative service with fewer failures. • A better exchange of information between waterway authorities and inland navigation by using real-time data, optimising a vessels’ journey which results in a minimization of fuel consumption and therefore environmental emissions. As an outcome the project will: • Modernize and update the current infrastructure, including electromechanical, electrical and automation works, as well as implementing all relevant updated machinery safety regulations. • Connect the MWI with the current and future RCC’s by means of fiber-optic cables and active network components. • Install cross-MWI and cross-corridor telematic systems, that will provide the remote operation functionalities, between the RCC’s and MWI’s. • 56 MWI’s will be equipped with access control, SCADA-systems and CCTV-systems. • A transition RCC is created in Aalst and in Evergem, that will function as forerunners. These smaller nodes are later combined in the large RCC’s. FARO itself consist of 14 Work Packages, covering: • Project management and dissemination activities • Network and the connection between MWI and RCC. • Cross-MWI and cross-corridor telematic-systems • Implementation of the transition RCC in Evergem and Aalst • Equipped MWI with access control, SCADA-systems and CCTV-systems At the end of the Project, FARO will support the upgrading of locks, bridges and water management infrastructure (including the deployment of remote control systems), aiming to the upgraded and safe passage of vessels and convoys, through improved water management services.