COLREGS-compliant path planning considering time-varying trajectory uncertainty of autonomous surface vehicle

Abstract

A path planning approach is proposed that is in accordance with Collision Regulations (COLREGS) for avoidance of a potential collision and considers the time-varying trajectory uncertainties of an autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) and an obstacle. Unfortunately, as the motion information for each object includes various uncertainties caused by characteristics of the navigation and perception systems, the trajectory uncertainties increase linearly during the pre-specified time in a trajectory prediction process. This trajectory uncertainty is preferentially modelled using the error covariance of a tracking filter designed for estimating motion information. Subsequently, collision risk is computed using a probabilistic method, and a collision risk zone (CRZ) is configured on the predicted trajectory. Finally, a COLREGS-compliant path is planned with consideration of the dynamic characteristics of the ASV to avoid the CRZ. Simulation results that demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach with marine traffic examples are presented and discussed.