ABSTRACT
The River Information System (RIS) is a package of solutions for the needs of inland shipping, which has been worked upon for a dozen years by representatives of most European countries. The underlying foundation of this concept is harmonising the activities of all kinds of enterprises, institutions and other users of inland waterway networks in Europe. It is high time Poland too should join the group of countries involved in this undertaking. Directive 2005/44/WE of the European Parliament and Council of Europe, along with respective regulations of the Commission of European Communities (414/2007 and 415/2007) oblige the member countries to introduce this type of system. At the same time they specify requirements pertaining to its implementation, pointing out among other things, which services should be covered by it. Among them are Traffic Information service and Traffic Management. According to assumptions, both should be based on tracking and tracing of vessels conducting navigation in inland waters.
