Among the challenges for implementation of Waterborne public transportation (WPT) are the difficulties in procuring efficient ferries tailored towards local requirements. Fundamental questions on the ferry’s environmental impact, speed and procurement costs linger in the public transport (PTP) mind. In this paper, a methodology for adopting a platform architecture for ferries is illustrated by a modular design approach. For this, WPT operational profiles are categorized by three route types in a structure for operational requirements including sustainability performance. Generic parameters for size and speed of WPT ferries are defined. Using these parameters as a skeletal structure, a modular commuter ferry concept is proposed as a set of basic modules. As a combination of these functionally independent modules, a ferry can be tailored to fit the operational requirements. The paper proposes standard sizes for waterborne commuter craft and shows that ferries are compatible with land-based public transport in terms of energy efficiency and speed. Suitable speed ranges for mono hulls and catamarans are investigated and the idea of modular design for rational procurement is explored and illustrated for the three type routes. The proposed concepts can make WPT more attractive for PTPs as a sustainable option to complement the existing network.

Within waterborne public transportation (WPT), one often observes a mismatch between the operational requirements and ferry characteristics. A method to holistically evaluate ferries with respect to local requirements could lead to tailored procurement and targeted refurbishment of existing fleet. In this study, we develop a structure for operational requirements and use it as a basis for a ferry evaluation methodology. The requirements’ structure follows a three-level hierarchy starting from broad vessel design to mandatory requirements to performance requirements. The performance requirements are based on the three pillars of sustainability, aided by commuter surveys carried out in Stockholm ferries, interviews with public transport providers (PTP) and previous literature. The evaluation of the ferry is performed using analytic hierarchic process (AHP) to convert the PTP’s subjective preferences and ferry performance into a single dimensionless index. Rules for quantification of performance metrics including social performance are proposed. The uncertainties associated with AHP are addressed by employing fuzzy AHP based on extent analysis and fuzzy AHP in combination with particle swarm optimization. Two applications including performance assessment of existing ferries and assembly of a modular ferry are discussed. The method can lead to objective decision making in ferry evaluation, potentially leading to a more efficient WPT.

With increasing need to utilize inland waterways (IWW), the design for IWW vessels gains attention both from a transport efficiency and an emission control point of view. The primarily issue is to estimate the ice pressure acting on the ship hull for inland waterways. Ice information for Lake Mälaren is extracted and analysed in this work. Since the ice properties have great influence on the impact load, they are studied based on empirical formulae and are calibrated by reference data. The ice impact is then predicted for an inland water barge. Probabilistic method is selected to derive the load based on available field test data. Several parent datasets are chosen, and different design strategies are implemented to evaluate the ice impact load and investigate the influences from exposure factors. The paper finds that the design curve of α = 0.265α^-0.57 can be used for Lake Mälaren. The approach itself introduces a possible way to investigate loads on ice affected IWW.With increasing need to utilize inland waterways (IWW), the design for IWW vessels gains attention both from a transport efficiency and an emission control point of view. The primarily issue is to estimate the ice pressure acting on the ship hull for inland waterways. Ice information for Lake Mälaren is extracted and analysed in this work. Since the ice properties have great influence on the impact load, they are studied based on empirical formulae and are calibrated by reference data. The ice impact is then predicted for an inland water barge. Probabilistic method is selected to derive the load based on available field test data. Several parent datasets are chosen, and different design strategies are implemented to evaluate the ice impact load and investigate the influences from exposure factors. The paper finds that the design curve of α = 0.265α^-0.57 can be used for Lake Mälaren. The approach itself introduces a possible way to investigate loads on ice affected IWW.

Operational Time Window (OTW) and its confidence level are important for vessels operating in ice covered waters. This can be evaluated by quantifying all contributing factors in terms of their influence along with respective associated uncertainties. For a case study involving a barge operating in Lake Mälaren, Sweden, five criteria are evaluated, and associated uncertainties are quantified using Variation Mode and Effect Analysis (VMEA) to give individual contribution towards overall uncertainty. Ship resistance due to ice and ice loads dominated over other criteria with highest contributions to uncertainty at 28% and 72% respectively.

Lightweight ice-class vessels offer the possibility of increasing the payload capacity while making them comparable in energy consumption with non-ice-class vessels during ice-free periods. We approach the development of a lightweight hull by dividing ice–hull interactions into quasi-static loading and impact loading phases. Then, investigative outcomes of lightweight concepts for each loading phase may be combined to develop a lightweight ice-going hull. In this study, we focus on the quasi-static loading phase characteristic of thin first-year ice in inland waterways. We investigate metal grillages, sandwich structures and stiffened sandwich structures parametrically using the finite element method. The model is validated using previous experimental studies. In total over 2000 cases are investigated for strength and stiffness with respect to mass. The stiffened sandwich was found to be the most favorable concept that offered both a light weight as well as high gross tonnage. Further, significant parameters and their interactions and material differences for the three structural concepts were investigated and their trends discussed. The outcomes result in the creation of a viable pool of lightweight variants that fulfill the quasi-static loading phase. Together with outcomes from the impact loading phase, a lightweight ice-going hull may be developed.

The current study focuses on the impact loading phase characteristic of thin first year ice in inland waterways. We investigate metal grillages, fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composites and nature-inspired composites using LS Dyna. The impact mode is modelled as (a) simplified impact model with a rigid-body impactor and (b) an experimentally validated ice model represented by cohesive zone elements. The structural concepts are investigated parametrically for strength and stiffness using the simplified model, and an aluminium alloy grillage is analysed with the ice model. The metal–FRP composite was found to be the most favourable concept that offered impact protection as well as being light weight. By weight, FRP composites with a Bouligand ply arrangement were the most favourable but prone to impact damage. Further, aluminium grillage was found to be a significant contender for a range of ice impact velocities. While the ice model is experimentally validated, a drawback of the simplified model is the lack of experimental data. We overcame this by limiting the scope to low velocity impact and investigating only relative structural performance. By doing so, the study identifies significant parameters and parametric trends along with material differences for all structural concepts. The outcomes result in the creation of a viable pool of lightweight variants that fulfil the impact loading phase. Together with outcomes from quasi-static loading phase, it is possible to develop a lightweight ice-going hull concept.

A fundamental challenge in ice-prone waterborne public transportation systems is the need for ice-strengthening while being fuel efficient during ice-free periods. To achieve this, the use of lightweight hull structures is explored in the current study by starting with introducing a tri-layer structural concept for an ice going hull. The three layers correspond to abrasion loads, impact loads and pressure loads experienced during a typical ice-hull interaction. Several structural concepts suited towards these respective loading mechanisms are considered. Most favorable parametric variants are identified and assembled as contenders in the tri-layer concept. The assembly is tested against experimentally validated ice impact models in FEA as well as a realistic quasi-static pressure representation. Three different lightweight structural concepts including aluminum grillage, stiffened sandwich structure and metal-FRP stiffened sandwich structure are compared and discussed. It is found that the latter of the three concepts is suited best towards both quasi-static and impact loading. Ice going ferries built with ice strengthened lightweight hulls can reduce emissions, fuel consumption as well as increase the payload capacity. Such a ferry would be competitive with non-ice going ferries during ice free periods.