An Automatic Identification System (AIS) was implemented in the St. Lawrence Seaway during 2003. This paper reports the results of a trial conducted pre- and post-AIS implementation to examine the impact of AIS adoption in a safety-critical system. Analysis of the impact on three types of operators, ship's masters, mates and shore-based traffic management system operators showed that overall AIS significantly improved voyage plan monitoring, contributed to improved monitoring vigilance and offered significant aid to decision making. Recommendations include follow-on studies to include a steady state evaluation of the technology impact once the system is mature and a broadening of the pool of subjects to include a less experienced, more international and less well educated group of operators.
