A New Distance Safety Index Framework for Proactive Navigation Decision-Support in ECDIS

The traditional Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) serves a crucial function in ensuring navigational safety. Nevertheless, its alert mechanisms operate independently and reactively, presenting a significant challenge for maritime operations. This study introduces a novel decision-support methodology grounded in the Distance Safety Index (DSI) to enhance ECDIS functionality. The DSI is a value calculated within the field, derived from a Truncated Signed Distance Field (TSDF), which continuously integrates static data from the Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) and dynamic targets sourced from AIS/Radar. This methodology defines two distinct indices for static hazards and dynamic threats, which are subsequently merged into a comprehensive, real-time safety map. The spatial gradient of this field offers straightforward guidance for optimal avoidance maneuvers. This integrated approach facilitates proactive early warnings and markedly enhances situational awareness for navigation officers. The framework provides a practical and efficient augmentation to real-time navigational decision-making within existing ECDIS platforms.