Computer aid decision-making in inland navigation

The article discusses the problem of computer aided decision making processes in inland waterway transport. Inland waterway transport is of minor importance in the Polish transport system. One of the reason for this is the difficulty in making decisions about transportation. This is due to the high variability of navigational conditions on Polish waterways, thus the low reliability of this mode of transport. This does not change the fact that the inland waterway transport of bulk goods, oversized and hazardous materials is the most efficient and least burdensome means of transport. For this reason, one should aim to increase the share of freight with the use of inland vessels. The paper indicates the possibility of supporting decision making processes in the organization of inland waterways transportation. For shippers or other persons organizing transport of goods, various issues can be important: the cost of transportation, delivery or handling method. Often, due to the lack of appropriate tools transportation is directed to the cars. Access to appropriate computer programs that calculate of the some parameters for the carriage or optimization criteria, may increase the use of inland waterway transport, and consequently a reduction in external and social costs, associated with carriage of cargo. The paper describes the possibilities.