Advanced Monitoring and Risk Simulation in Budapest: PLOTO Use Case B
As part of the PLOTO Project, Use Case B demonstrated how advanced sensing technologies, UAV surveys, and digital modelling strengthened operational resilience in the Port of Budapest.
Smart Monitoring for Safer Operations
The pilot focused on navigation-critical bay areas and operational zones such as loading, unloading and crane movement locations. These areas were particularly exposed to storms, strong winds, fog and fluctuating water levels — hazards that directly affected cargo handling and vessel manoeuvring.
One existing and two newly installed sensors were deployed to provide reliable, real-time environmental data to the PLOTO decision-support functions. These sensors enabled continuous monitoring of threats and supported early warning mechanisms for port operators.
High-Resolution UAV Survey and Digital Mapping
A comprehensive UAV survey campaign was conducted in April 2023, covering approximately 200 hectares of the port area. Using advanced devices — including the DJI Mavic 2 Pro and the DJI Matrice 300 RTK — the team applied photogrammetric remote sensing methods at a flight altitude of 90 metres.
The campaign produced:
- High-resolution orthophotos
- A digital terrain model
- A detailed 3D point cloud
In December 2023, a second targeted survey assessed a critical grain warehouse facility. High-definition geodetic and aerial laser scanning technologies were used to generate precise 3D coordinate measurements and a complete building model.
Modelling Cargo Routes and Simulating Disasters
The integrated PLOTO platform used the collected data to model cargo routes and infrastructure interdependencies for different cargo types. Relevant natural hazards were identified, and their severity and expected impact were assessed. Vulnerability and recoverability were determined for various damage levels.
Disaster scenarios were simulated, bottlenecks were identified, and early warnings were generated — significantly improving both strategic planning and day-to-day operations.
From Alerts to Concrete Actions
PLOTO-supported alerts enabled practical risk-mitigation measures, including:
- Suspending and stabilising crane movements during storms
- Closing vessel roofs to protect grain cargo
- Securing doors, gates and windows
- Relocating anchored ships to safer basins during fog or storms
- Informing logistics partners about weather conditions affecting container handling and push-boat operations
Benefits and Lessons Learned
The Budapest pilot demonstrated clear operational benefits, including improved weather hazard forecasting, better scheduling of loading activities, and more efficient use of human resources.
However, it also highlighted structural challenges. Lengthening drought periods continued to affect inland waterway reliability in ways that information systems alone could not fully mitigate. The results underlined the need for broader resilience strategies, including improved water-level management, alternative transport modes, and better coordination with rail systems for delay estimation.
Overall, Use Case B confirmed that integrating real-time monitoring, UAV-based mapping, and predictive modelling could substantially enhance inland port resilience and decision-making under extreme conditions.
