Integrated Control for Series of Waterway Locks

Delays in a waterway network are affected by tow arrival characteristics, service time distributions, lock characteristics, and control policies at locks. Previous studies have shown how interdependence among locks in a series complicates the delay estimation. Among control policies, “shortest processing time first” (SPF) yields lower delays and costs per barge than the generally used “first come, first served” (FCFS) policy. This report considers the interdependencies among locks in an integrated control algorithm for series of locks. The results show that an integrated control algorithm yields lower costs per barge for both FCFS and SPF control, with either equal or unequal directional flows. A modified SPF control that considers delays at adjacent locks (SPF&A) yields the lowest costs per barge among all control alternatives considered. The results show how the interdependence between locks decreases and delays increase as the distance between locks increases.