In the Kurushima Kaikyo Traffic Route, a tidal-dependent navigation system is applied, and vessel courses may cross near the entrance during southward tidal flow. In response to collision accidents that occurred in this area, new safety measures, including route designation and removal of a light buoy, were implemented by the Japan Coast Guard on July 1, 2024. This study focuses on the area where these safety measures were implemented and examines their effects on maritime traffic flow by comparing vessel navigation before and after their introduction. AIS data were used to analyze vessel traffic characteristics and track distributions. While no significant changes were observed in the basic traffic characteristics of passing vessels, changes in vessel tracks and course-changing behavior were identified. These results indicate that the new safety measures have influenced vessel navigation patterns in the area.
