The aim of this project was to develop the tentative vision, strategy and mid-term action plan regarding the utilization of maritime ITS in Finland. The results of the work serve as the first nation-wide guidelines on how to develop, implement and maintain maritime ITS. The draft vision statement was formulated as follows: maritime ITS is developed so that maritime transport is manageable, safe, environmentally friendly, productive and competitive and so that the services provided are of good quality. The strategy to reach this vision was built on the following cornerstones: (1) customer and stakeholder needs; (2) electronic real-time data exchange; (3) open systems architectures; (4) user-friendly automated functions; (5) active international co-operation, with emphasis on the Baltic Sea region; and (6) transport policy goals. The most urgent steps for the implementation of the strategy were defined. Firstly, there is a need to analyze the user needs. Secondly, there is a need to define and describe the maritime ITS architecture. Thirdly, there has to be a socio-economic evaluation framework to justify maritime ITS investments. Finally, ITS activities will have to be organized in a logical and efficient manner within The Finnish Maritime Administration (FMA).
Abstract