ABSTRACT: In this study, changes in maritime traffic flow due to the installation of virtual buoys were analysed from the perspective of collision, based on the obstacle zone by target (OZT) method. The existence of an OZT within ±2° in the bow direction is considered to be dangerous; all the OZTs that a vessel encountered at the time when this orientation prevailed were subjected to analysis. For the calculation of the OZT model, an SD3 model was used. The estimated OZT was used to calculate the OZT density, and the positions of the ships that were encountering the OZT were used for the analysis. It was found that the OZT density at the locations where collisions had occurred in the past was approximately 0.01 [times/km2]. After the installation of virtual buoys, most places around there were reduced to around approximately 0.005 [times/km2]. The results imply that the installation of virtual buoys has reduced the risk of collisions. In contrast, the OZT density in the southern region of Buoy 1 increased from approximately 0.005 [times/km2] to approximately 0.01 [times/km2], suggesting that a more detailed analysis of this area is required.

KEYWORDS: Marine Traffic, Marine Traffic Flow, Obstacle Zone by Target (OZT), Virtual Buoys, OZT Method, Risk of Collisions, OZT Density, OZT Model

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