The aim of the project is research, prototype development, testing and validation of an integrated system, mainly on the port side, in order to control and support maritime navigation in the last mile of type “all vessels, all weather, all-day” and able to:

• provide real-time and accurately the last mile marine traffic situation, not only with simple plots, but with advanced graphics display dynamic plant ship/boat itself for all types of ships and boats, including even those not equipped with sensors / systems cooperating (eg. AIS or GNSS) for all weather situations and 24/24 hours.
• provide all ships and boats in the last mile marine of a systems able to support real-time navigation in order to improve precision, speed and safety operation and docking manoeuvres.
• interoperate with public administration systems (existing and/or developing) for example the VTS/VTMS and connected system PMIS (Coast Guard).
• provide an advanced simulation system for training of pilots and all those involved in port traffic control.

The HABITAT’s aim is a tangible improvement of the capabilities offered by current systems for ports and coastal traffic control, such as VTS, as it merely provides plots of ships (with associated carrier ship, its location, direction, speed, etc. .) but rather provides for both operator (on board or land) a situational awareness in all weather conditions and visibility representing an advanced graphics through the movement of the shape of the ship (whatever that is) with some specific details, such as contour perimeter, orientation, movement on display with actual speed, etc.. The situational awareness are associated other operational instruments, such as support for navigation (collision avoidance) in high traffic areas and support for docking manoeuvres (including consideration of the situation in real-time wind and sea currents), and can benefit all ports with big gains in decongestion of traffic within the port, reducing the time of entry and exit from port, rationalization of operating space, reduce pollution in port areas and their urban areas, reduce electromagnetic pollution through the use of low power radar sensors, and of course the safety on board ships and boats.

Based on the innovations introduced by these systems concept, HABITAT will also develop an innovative tool for personnel training involved in vessel manoeuvres during their in port operation and traffic control of ships/boats which approach the port.