What are the applications of global positioning system (GPS) technology?
The possible uses for GPS technology are as unlimited as your imagination. Here are some examples of GPS in action:1
Agriculture
GPS technology helps farmers precisely monitor the application of fertiliser and pesticides, map fields and mark areas of disease or weed infestation.
Aviation
Aircraft pilots use GPS technology for en route navigation and airport approaches.
Environment
GPS technology helps scientists with geographical tracking and monitoring, from mapping the hole in the ozone layer to tracking endangered species and events such as oil spills and bush fires.
Ground transport
GPS helps with automatic vehicle location and in-vehicle navigation systems, such as those used with Whereis® maps [link to 1.0]. GPS technology also helps monitor and plan routes for delivery and emergency vehicles.
Marine
GPS technology helps with marine navigation, traffic routing, underwater surveying, navigational hazard location and mapping. Commerical fishing fleets use it to navigate to optimum fishing locations and to track fish migrations.
Military
Aircraft, ships, submarines, tanks, jeeps and equipment use GPS technology for many puposes including basic navigation, target designation, close air support, weapon technology and rendezvous.
Public safety
Emergency and other public safety fleets use satellite navigation for location, route planning and status information.
Rail
Precise knowledge of train location is essential to prevent collisions, maintain smooth traffic flow and minimise costly delays. Digital maps and onboard inertia detection units allow fully-automated train control.
Recreation
Outdoor and exercise enthusiasts use GPS technology to stay aware of locations, bearing, speed, distance and time. In addition, they can accurately mark and record any location and return to that precise spot.
Space
GPS technology helps track and control satellites in orbit. The NASA Space Shuttle also uses GPS navigation.
Surveying
Surveyors use GPS technology for simple tasks, such as defining property lines, or for complex tasks, such as construction management. Locating a point of reference used to be very time consuming. With GPS technology, two people can survey dozens of control points in an hour. Surveying and mapping roads and rail systems can also be accomplished from mobile platforms.
