Locks are a crucial part of the Flemish waterway network. When a ship needs to enter a canal or river section with a different water level, it does so by passing through a lock, a process known as"shuttling." During the shuttling process, vessels experience forces from the incoming or outgoing water, as well as the movement of water within the lock itself. As a result, ships must be securely moored using ropes or thick cables. Ensuring that these forces stay within safe limits is vital, as excessive forces could cause the mooring lines to break.

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Flanders Hydraulics - Waterbouwkundig Laboratorium(WL) has extensive experience conducting in situ measurements during the filling and emptying of locks. However, the laboratory identified limitations with the current measurement techniques. As a result, there was a need for a new measurement system that could validate in situ leveling in a fast, efficient, and reliable manner.

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In response, Apixa, in collaboration with FH and De Vlaamse Waterweg nv, and with support from the Flemish Government's Innovative Public Procurement Program (PIO), developed a non-contact measurement method based on photogrammetry (the interpretation of images). This innovative setup enables highly accurate measurements of the forces acting on inland vessels during the locking process.

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Apixa applied photogrammetry to track the movement of both the bow and stern of the ship. Four cameras monitored specific points on the bow and stern over time, capturing precise data on the vessel’s displacement.

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The results demonstrate that this technique is both safe and accurate, offering great potential for wider adoption and contributing to enhanced safety and efficiency in Flemish locks.