The concept of “Environmental Stress(ES)” can be used as a useful index when assessing the maritime traffic safety. It is composed of two parts, one due to geographical restriction and another one due to traffic congestion. In this paper, Environmental Stress due to geographical restriction is reviewed. Its characteristics are surveyed from the sample calculation results for some hypothetical cases, such as approaching a breakwater, navigating in a long straight channel, and in a long bended channel. Sample calculations are also carried out for the approach channels in Busan and Kwangyang harbor. By using this ES concept, it is expected that objective ana quantitative assessment of safety is possible for various environmental conditions when navigating in a harbor or in a fairway. |