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MERIT Risk Brainstorm Survey #1

This survey is to help prepare for the MERIT Working Group May 12, 2026, brainstorm session.

Use your best judgment when rating each item, even if it falls outside your primary area of expertise.
1.Are you a professional mariner or vessel crew member?
2.Rate the level of risk each hazard poses to transportation safety and operations.
Low
Moderate
High
Critical
1. Situational awareness gaps: Operators lack a shared, complete view needed to make decisions in a multi-threat environment
2. Reduced visibility: Operations, systems, and expectations do not adjust adequately to reduced visibility
3. Communication overload: Radio and digital systems carry too much traffic, require constant monitoring, or produce missed or unclear messages
4. Mechanical failure: Vehicles or vessels lose propulsion, steering, or control
5. Waterway conditions: Depth and channel conditions change faster than they are updated or maintained for safe use
6. Ineffective navigation aids: Buoys, lights, or signals do not provide clear or reliable guidance
7. Shore system limitations: Shore-based systems lack the capability to effectively track, manage, or share traffic information
8. Human performance limits: Operators face fatigue, high workload, or reduced attention
9. Training gaps: Personnel lack the skills or experience for conditions or equipment
10. Traffic congestion: Too many users operate in the same space
11. Speed and size conflicts: Fast, slow, large, and small traffic mix and create risk
12. Constrained routes: Limited depth, width, nearby hazards, or infrastructure restrict safe movement and options
13. Infrastructure exposure: Bridges, tunnels, docks, pipelines, and rail crossings face impact risk
14. No alternatives: Single points of failure leave no alternate route, system, or option if the primary one fails
15. Environmental conditions: Extreme or unfamiliar environmental conditions change quickly and outpace decisions
16. Waterway hazards: Floating objects, derelict vessels, marine wildlife, and shoreline activity affect safe waterway use
17. Warning limitations: Alerts and warnings do not keep pace with operations to reach decision-makers in time
18. Operational complexity: Rules and guidelines are complex, conflicting, or lack the systems or data needed for effective use
19. Assistance gaps: Vessel support services are too far away to support control or movement when needed
20. System interdependency: Failures, including shoreside operations, cascade and disrupt other systems
3.What keeps you up at night that's not listed above.