{"ID":2829956,"CreatedAt":"2026-06-01T04:54:23.091178241Z","UpdatedAt":"2026-06-01T04:54:23.091178241Z","DeletedAt":null,"paper_url":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.11786","arxiv_id":"2512.11786","title":"Toward a Decision Support System for Energy-Efficient Ferry Operation on Lake Constance based on Optimal Control","abstract":"The maritime sector is undergoing a disruptive technological change driven by three main factors: autonomy, decarbonization, and digital transformation. Addressing these factors necessitates a reassessment of inland vessel operations. This paper presents the design and development of a decision support system for ferry operations based on a shrinking-horizon optimal control framework. The problem formulation incorporates a mathematical model of the ferry's dynamics and environmental disturbances, specifically water currents and wind, which can significantly influence the dynamics. Real-world data and illustrative scenarios demonstrate the potential of the proposed system to effectively support ferry crews by providing real-time guidance. This enables enhanced operational efficiency while maintaining predefined maneuver durations. The findings suggest that optimal control applications hold substantial promise for advancing future ferry operations on inland waters. A video of the real-world ferry MS Insel Mainau operating on Lake Constance is available at: https://youtu.be/i1MjCdbEQyE","short_abstract":"The maritime sector is undergoing a disruptive technological change driven by three main factors: autonomy, decarbonization, and digital transformation. Addressing these factors necessitates a reassessment of inland vessel operations. This paper presents the design and development of a decision support system for ferry...","url_abs":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.11786","url_pdf":"https://arxiv.org/pdf/2512.11786v2","authors":"[\"Hannes Homburger\",\"Bastian Jäckl\",\"Stefan Wirtensohn\",\"Christian Stopp\",\"Maximilian T. Fischer\",\"Moritz Diehl\",\"Daniel A. Keim\",\"Johannes Reuter\"]","published":"2025-12-12T18:55:22Z","proceeding":"eess.SY","tasks":"[\"eess.SY\",\"cs.HC\",\"cs.RO\"]","methods":"[]","has_code":false}