Inland vessels negotiating their order at a lock. 

This type of engagement space has been simulated successfully. 

Typical current situation

Inland vessels arriving at a lock are being served on a “first come, first served” basis. This sequence may not be the most optimal on a system level. For instance, if a vessel pushing to meet a deadline is at the back of the queue, while multiple vessels in front of the queue have plenty of time, it would be beneficial if the order is changed. However, there is no mechanism that is acceptable to the vessel owners: a command and control solution would meet much opposition. 

Engagement spaces alternative

The simulation showed that a simple mechanism has much potential and can be used without having to incorporate every vessel. The rule successfully tested is: 

• If you want to jump one place in the queue, you must ask permission of the vessel in front: the captain of that vessel can refuse or accept, for any reason 

• If permission is granted, you must give up one token 

• If you allow a vessel to jump the queue, you receive a token 

• The waterways authority keeps the score of tokens per vessel and the transfers, and the lock manager applies the changed priority 

The visibility of the score, the possibility to use a token later at a different lock, the possibility to refuse priority to a bad actor, the impossibility to free-load and the simplicity of the rule makes this an attractive solution.