Agent-based model for realistic vessel route simulation in port areas

This paper presents a general and extensible agent-based model for simulating vessel traffic in harbours, covering both approaching and leaving maneuvers. The model consists of three fundamental components: agents, environment, and rules. Agents represent vessels navigating within the port; the environment component models the harbour and its surroundings; the rules component governs interactions among agents and their interplay with the environment. The model has been implemented in the GAMA platform and validated through a series of tests and experiments. To create a realistic environment, the port of Augusta was used as a case study. Our model serves as a valuable tool, especially in traffic-intensive ports lacking pilotage services, which attract coastal, tourist, oceanic, and military vessels. While acknowledging its potential, we remain aware of its limitations and strive for continuous improvement and refinement.