Applications for GPS

Latitude, Longitude, AMG etc etc etc

1. What is GPS? (Explaining the system of satellites and how it works)
2. Correction techniques for greater accuracy (DGPS)
3. Elevation readings and GPS (How far are we above sea level?)
4. The theory of positioning (How Sir Isaac Newton and others made GPS possible)
5. Explanation of digital mapping forms and functions in relation to GPS
6. Applications for GPS

Applications for GPS

- In Australia

Find latitude and longitude of any town in Australia

National Awards for Innovation in Local Government

- Overall winner- GPS and Mobile Computing in Fire Prevention
As reported in the Australian Magazine, Dec 9-10 2000, published by Nationwide News Pty Ltd

The Federal Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government , the Hon Ian Macdonald announced the winners from a record 387 entries. Here is the text in full from the Australian Magazine.

NATIONAL OVERALL WINNER
Whittlesea City Council Information Technology GPS and Mobile Computing in Fire Prevention Fire has always been a major force in shaping the Australia ian continent, and its management has been an essential skill long recognized by those who make it their home. By harnessing a variety of readily accessible computer capabilities, the City of Whittlesea, which lies just to the north of Melbourne, has developed a system for quickly identifying the location of potential fire hazards. The scenario involves capturing the information and generating fire hazard notices so preventive steps can be speedily taken.

Basically Whittlesea linked GPS (Global Positioning System) technology to a property database using a mobile version of the GIS (Geographic Information System) configured to a GPS. It developed software allowing a portable version of its geographic information system to accept real time GPS readings. Field officers could pinpoint a fire hazard, identify the landowner and generate a fire warning notice in a matter of keystrokes. Fire prevention officers can now visit up to three times as many properties in a day than was previously possible.

The Council says it has dramatically improved summer fire prevention enforcement. Each summer, the City issues fire prevention notices to several thousand landowners.

Whittlesea says that administrative time in producing fire hazard notices has been reduced from two days per 50 notices to 15 minutes per 150 notices. The cost savings have been enormous. Whittlesea can issue fire warning notices in seconds, saving $150,000 a year in costs for an outlay of less than $50,000. Local fire brigades also get accurate reports on the progress of fire prevention in their areas.

The Council found that the technology could be extended to other projects, such as property-number checks, weed inspection and septic tank mapping, saving tens of thousands of dollars. Whittlesea's experience in harnessing technology is being made available to other councils in northern Victoria and southern NSW.


Less than 5 metre to 0.3 metre accuracy, obtained by differentially correcting the GPS location. This correction may be achieved by post-processing data in a computer, or can be done in real time by radio or satellite link (DGPS).

1. Understanding and management of soil drifts and wind erosion in less habited areas of Australia may contribute to progress in using these areas for human activity. Geo-scientists have found ways of collecting wind driven samples to effectively measure rates of transport, and to what height wind can drive soil particles. Location of sample stations by GPS is important in the final analysis of data. This data will also contribute to an understanding of the movement of sandhills in desert like areas, and the ability of certain vegetation to stabilize soil particles. Griffith University, School of Environment in Brisbane, has been involved in studies in western Queensland.



2. Habitat for creatures as diverse as marine worms for fishing, to bilbys (an Australian long eared mammal about the size of a rabbit), can be mapped precisely for an understanding of their environment. Over harvesting of worms may be detrimental to future fishing, and GPS position and harvest counts over a period can indicate health and migratory patterns of these creatures. (Acknowledgement to University of Maine USA). In the bilby example, this once common mammal's complex burrows in far western Queensland, were extensively mapped as an aid to ensuring their survival. In addition, introduced predator populations can be monitored with the assistance of GPS.



3. Electricity and telephone companies rely on distance measurements to calculate the cost of building lines to new locations. GPS can effectively locate the take off point, and the end use point of a line, and in conjunction with suitable mapping, can more efficiently quote price to the intended client.



4. A local council or government utility, may wish to create a database of particular assets, for accounting or management purposes. Position as well as attributes of assets such as culverts, street signs, storm water systems, road surfaces and large tree specimens can be logged, and downloaded to mapping or GIS (Geographic Information Systems) on a computer. See Leica GIS-capable GPS.