Methods of computer simulation in waterway system design

This article presents basic principles of using simulation research in marine traffic engineering and describes a simulation method of waterway design. The author indicates the most common errors made when the procedures of simulation research are not followed, despite advanced ship handling simulators used, which makes it impossible to satisfy the criterion of conformity between the examined system and its model. Practical use of results thus obtained leads to the breach of safety criteria or overdimensioning of waterway system. The presented simulation method of waterway design has been developed by this author. Applying the procedures of the method ensures that the mentioned conformity criterion is fulfilled.