Managing Heterogeneous Models and Schemas in the Waterway Information Network R. M. Malyankar 1 , K. M. Shea 2 , J. W. Spalding 2 , M. J. Lewandowski 3 , A. R. Baddam 1 1 Dept, of Computer Science Arizona State University Tempe, AZ 85287. rmm@acm.org ,anvith@asu.edu 2 U. S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center Groton, CT 06340. {KShea,JSpalding}@rdc.uscg.mil 3 Potomac Management Group 214 Thames Street Groton, CT 06340. mlewandowski@rdc.uscg.mil Project URL: http://www.eas.asu.edu/~gcss/research/navigation/ Abstract Managing models and schemas pertaining to different parts of the marine information domain is an im- portant part of the U.S. Coast Guard R&D Center's proposed Waterway Information Network. This paper describes our approach to distributed model and schema management and an architecture for facilitating the use of formal artificial intelligence concepts in application development with XML. 1. Introduction The Waterway Information Network (WIN) proposed by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) R&D Center is intended to make information transfer in the Marine Transportation System (MTS) more efficient, accurate, and timely. WIN will use a distributed content management architecture and a tailored XML-based markup language called MIML (Maritime Information Markup Language). Many MTS stakeholders already have their own information models (constructed independently over several years), and creating and managing a new single information model or XML schema covering all the diverse sources of data would require a large investment of time and resources and be an extremely complex task for logistical and technical reasons. An approach to integrating and managing different kinds of models and schemas is needed. This paper describes such an approach. The significant issues addressed by the architecture described in this paper are: (1) managing diverse models derived from different sources; (2) providing different schemas for different application areas while maintaining application interoperability; and, (3) making information distribution easier for information suppliers and consumers, in part by moving from paper-based means to electronic means of distribution. 2. The Waterway Information Network The MTS has an extremely diverse community: government entities and agencies (federal, state, and local); military and non-military users; and many commercial, private, and recreational members. Some entities derive profit from supplying information or by adding value to public information. Information transfer arrangements currently consist of a multitude of information “stovepipes”, whereby providers transfer a single type of information through one or more methods to their user communities in specific formats. Examples are Local Notices to Mariners, marine weather information broadcasts and the Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System; in these cases, multiple government agencies provide information to a wide range of users, including elements of the government agencies themselves. Other information flows exist: some information is transferred solely to various government agencies; a ship’s agent notifies at least four federal agencies about a vessel’s arrival and must also notify or arrange services with tugs, pilots, stevedores, terminalling, chandlering, etc. Similar information is thus passed multiple times to multiple information users. Also, many users are also producers, particularly waterway users, who send updates about navigation aid status, dangers, etc., to the original providers. Shortcomings in current methods of information transfer in the MTS include a reliance on paper- based systems; individual and distinct methods and procedures for submitting and disseminating information; and numerous marine electronic information devices and systems that are not part of a fully integrated system. Studies indicate a need for interoperable, Internet-enabled information resources that are up-to-date, accurate, non-redundant, easily accessible, available in multiple formats, and