Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Extra Layers of Child Safety

It’s hard to know just how thoroughly the school bus system has simplified the process of getting children to and from school every day. It allows millions of parents to get their kids to school without taking time off work; it keeps a huge number of cars off the roads around schools twice a day; and it ensures that even children in families without reliable transportation make it to classes. But as with any system that serves a very large number of customers, there are bound to be mistakes and accidents here and there. School bus related accidents are particularly tragic, because victims are nearly always children—the very ones who need to be protected most.


school bus gpsGPS integration is seeking to minimize accidents by providing an extra layer of safety to existing tools. From standard speed monitors, to route verification, to after-hours bus security, GPS may be the key needed to bring the annual number of school bus accidents closer to zero.


The Hard Numbers


The following table provides, at a glance, enough information for a rough picture of current school bus safety in the United States:














Children transported by bus each school day26 millionOut of 50 million total attending school
Current number of school buses480,000Each bus keeps an estimated 36 cars off the road
Number of children left on buses after end of route in 201270 
School bus passenger fatalities in 2010 due to crashes10 (plus 6 drivers)An additional 113 fatalities (in other vehicles or pedestrians) were caused by school bus crashes

In statistical terms, the injury/fatality rate is extremely low, and the school bus industry deserves high praise for such a stellar record. But in human terms, any child (or adult) injury is a tragedy, and it is worth additional research and technology to try to eliminate them completely. This is why progress on GPS integration specifically designed for school buses continues to make the news.


The Latest Developments


gps tracking for school bus fleetsOne of the most recent new products intended to boost school bus safety is a collaboration between two different companies. The first has an established history of protecting kids on buses: Check-Mate created a device that reminds drivers to walk through their bus at the end of the route to visually confirm that there are no sleeping or hiding children still on the vehicle. Children who are still on the bus when it is locked for the night face danger from hunger, dehydration, and extreme temperatures. Check-Mate makes it harder for drivers to forget their final check, and has been installed on nearly 250,000 buses since its introduction in 1993.


Zonar, a company that creates GPS products for fleets, has designed a device that would support Check-Mate’s security system. There are at least two main issues that could prevent Check-Mate from protecting children:


  • Children or even vandals who enter the bus after the driver’s final walk-through are not detected

  • The Check-Mate device could fail to work because of lack of power or malfunctioning equipment

GPS integration provides an added level of security by monitoring the bus and the activity on it. First, the Zonar device checks the Check-Mate device to confirm that it is operational (a procedure cleverly titled “Double-Check”). But after hours, the Zonar device continues to watch the bus, sending an alert to a designated official if there is activity. In addition to spotting any forgotten children still on the bus, the system would also catch potential thieves, vandals, and teenagers looking for trouble. Officials at Zonar and Check-Mate are optimistic that their partnership will make buses safer both during and after working hours.


Other Safety Tools


A further layer of security is provided by a personal card that each student carries. The card, equipped with a RFID chip, registers each time the student enters and exits the bus. This tool provides important information about individual children, but only works when each student has the card on their person.


Of course, buses are more dangerous when they are actually traveling on the roadways. GPS integration is even more useful in that context, with fleet monitors that can record very detailed information about bus activity. A driver that stops too suddenly, drives too fast, veers from the prescribed route, makes unauthorized stops, or cruises through a stop sign will face some questioning from his supervisor. And a bus that is involved in an accident or breakdown in a remote area will receive assistance right away, with alerts sent to fleet managers and/or emergency personnel.


The safety of our children is certainly one of the highest goals that GPS integration researchers can strive for. With the implementation of the Zonar/Check Mate system, there are sure to be dozens of families in the coming years that are spared the injury or death of a child.



Extra Layers of Child Safety

Monday, December 30, 2013

Surfing is a Little Safer in Australia Thanks to GPS Tracking

Shark attacks are very rare, but they do happen. Surfers, in particular, are very vulnerable to shark attacks, because they spend a lot of time in the water. Australia is one of the most popular surfing destinations on the planet. Some areas of the Australian coast boast record-breaking waves, which attract surfers from across the world. Like California and Hawaii, surfing is commonplace in Australia because of the great weather and swell.


Flatnose SharkThe northern and central coasts of California and the western coasts of Western Australia (WA) are exceptionally dangerous surf spots, because the water is home to one of the ocean’s deadliest creatures: the great white shark. Sharks generate a lot of fear in most people. Movies like Jaws and week-long specials on Animal Planet capture the danger posed by sharks, but generally, there is a lot of misconceptions about these animals.


In the ocean surrounding Australia, there are 160 different species of shark. Of all of those, only three species are considered a risk to human safety. The white shark, tiger shark and bull shark are the only species in the region known for posing a serious threat to humans. A couple other sharks, like the hammerhead shark, will occasionally bite people, but these bites are not life-threatening.


Surf Life Saving Western Australia is part of a new effort to make the waters safer for people and sharks, alike. Using GPS tracking devices attached to sharks in the region, the organization uses their Twitter account @SLSWA to alert the public of sharks close to the shore. Surfers in Western Australia can follow @SLSWA on Twitter, and receive real-time updates of shark sightings and location information of predators in the water.


Here is an example of a recent tweet: “Fisheries advise: White Shark 2.5 – 3m, had been sighted at Rottnest 500m offshore rom Pt Clune. Sighting @ 1535 Reported @ 1610.”


The Department of Fisheries Western Australia teamed up with Surf Life Saving Western Australia to “develop new strategies for beach goers and users of the aquatic environment on the risks associated with sharks.” They tagged more than 320 sharks in the area. When a tagged shark approaches the shore, a tweet is sent out with the sharks location, breed and size.


“These detection and WAs extensive receiver network are contributing to important research to help the government to better understand the movements of white sharks through WA waters, as well as playing a major public safety role,” explained Rory McAuley, principal research scientist Department of Fisheries. “The battery life of internal acoustic tags is up to 10 years so the scientific data that may be collected from this shark is unprecedented.”


The primary goal of the Twitter program is to make the beaches of Western Australia safer for the public. On a larger scale, the tracking information gathered by the sharks will provide wildlife researchers with a whole new understanding of sharks, and how the interact with the shore and their natural habitat.


Sharks have a bad reputation. They’re commonly thought of as “man-eaters.” They are not as cute as sea lions or otters or dolphins, and so protecting them has passed under the radar for too long. They have been massively over-fished with a devastating affect on the underwater ecosystem. The major factor in the over-fishing of sharks is the Chinese tradition of serving shark-fin soup at special occasions, like weddings. With more information available about sharks, hopefully this public opinion can be shifted and sharks will be recognized as a vital part of the environment.


Every surfer worth his or her salt knows that it is a risk every time you enter the water. The ocean is highly unpredictable and humans are land-species. Our evolutionary ancestors may have come from the ocean, but human beings are easy prey for ocean-dwelling predators. When we think of shark attacks, we think of a fin circling us before a sudden bite. The reality is a lot more scary. Great white sharks attack from below. You might see a fin. You might not see anything as the shark charges from the depths.


I come from California and have close family members who surf almost daily. Although shark attacks are very rare, they do happen. My father lost a fellow-surfer friend to a great white shark attack years ago, and named by brother after the victim and taught him to surf. Despite the loss, my father has great respect for sharks and never lost his love for surfing and the ocean. This writer thinks that tracking sharks with GPS technology is a great idea. It not only protects our surfers, but also helps the public better understand sharks so we can peacefully co-exist.



Surfing is a Little Safer in Australia Thanks to GPS Tracking

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Your Next GPS

Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Company are in the preparation stages of beginning the next phase of GPS satellite technology. The GPS Block IIIA (GPS III) satellite system recently completed its third launch and early orbit exercise in preparation for a 2014 launch of a new set of 12 satellites. There are currently 31 GPS II satellites in orbit that are used to help both US military personnel and civilians use the GPS technology to track their locations, among other uses. The GPS III satellites will represent an upgrade over the existing models.




























Timeline of GPS Satellites 
1972USAF tests two GPS receiver satellites at White Sands Missile Range
1978First GPS Block I satellite launched
1983President Reagan called for use of GPS systems for civilian use after navigational errors led to a US plane being shot down over Soviet airspace
1989First GPS Block II satellites launched
1993Standard Positioning Service first achieved
1995GPS reaches full operational capability
1996GPS declared to be a dual use system by President Clinton
2000GPS signal for civilians was upgraded
2004President Bush signs an agreement for cooperation between US GPS systems and the European Galileo System
2004Qualcomm succeeds at putting GPS technology into phones
2010Over fears that GPS II satellites might be at risk for software incompatibility soon, GPS III development begins
2013Ongoing tests ensue to make sure GPS III satellites are ready

SatelliteThere are many advancements planned for the GPS III satellites over the GPS II currently in use. The new satellite system will offer three times better accuracy than the GPS II system. The new technology and design should allow for about 25 percent more life for the satellites. The oldest GPS II satellite in orbit and functioning was launched in 1990, which should mean the new satellites should last at least 25 years, if not more. The GPS III should also enable better security for military purposes, as it is about eight times more jam-proof. Civilians should also benefit from this new system as there will be easier and more reliable ways for civilian GPS units to connect. There is also the added benefit of being more compatible at interfacing with GPS networks in other countries.


The exercise occurred on August 1 and was the third of five planned exercises to determine the readiness of the system and make sure all systems were operational. The focus of this exercise was to make sure the operating system was functional. To ensure this, ground to space communications were tested, orbiting functions were tested, and other procedures regarding anomalies and resolution were performed by groups from Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. Overall, exercise three was determined to be a success and production is on schedule to continue with testing exercises until satellites are ready to go into orbit in 2015.








Operational Control (OCX) by Exercise 
Exercise 3Used Iteration 1.4 software
Exercise 4 (scheduled for early 2014)Plan to use Iteration 1.5 software (Launch and Checkout System capability

What does all of this mean for the average GPS user? While most users of GPS do not know much about exactly how the system works, these new satellites will provide a much more accurate picture of where you are through your GPS device. Increased accuracy is a must for GPS positioning, whether you are driving or riding your bicycle. This should help with such simple directional activities such as finding your exit on a highway and navigating through intricate downtown neighborhoods.


Does the launch of new satellites mean there will be a break in GPS service? This is not likely, given that the GPS II satellites will still be in service. It is not likely that you will need to scrap your old receivers, either, as these GPS III satellites should be compatible with older devices. This system is not designed to reinvent the wheel, but rather to make something that is already working well a little better.


The efforts put into this new satellite system by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon should make a great difference in the accuracy of your present and future GPS tracking devices. The two remaining exercises should be finished by the end of 2014, with actual launches of the satellites occurring in 2015 at the earliest. With the new “eyes in the sky,” it is very likely that world travelers will soon be helped regardless of which continent they are travelling on.



Your Next GPS

Friday, December 20, 2013

Who’s Protecting the GPS?

In economics, experts speak of the “law of unintended consequences.” This critical law states that whenever we initiate a program or policy to accomplish a specific goal, it will also trigger other effects—consequences—that we did not necessarily mean to trigger. Thus, prohibition on alcohol led to increased mob activity; World War II drew women into the public workforce as never before; and the international student visa program allowed dangerous terrorists to make their way to the United States with ease. The rise of GPS has had an unintended consequence related to terrorism as well, although thankfully it has not led to a large-scale attack. Recognizing the danger, numerous companies are working hard to minimize the terrorism risk of using GPS.


GPS jammingGPS Jamming


The primary threat to GPS is the possibility of jamming its signal. Particularly in military and commercial aircraft settings, dependence on GPS for navigation means that disruption of the signal could easily be catastrophic. Equipment that could be used to jam GPS frequency is notoriously inexpensive and easy to obtain, and with a little technical expertise, it is easy to imagine a terrorist using such equipment to throw a major airport or military base into confusion.


But it doesn’t take an intentional act of terrorism to create such confusion. Just as you can purchase a radar detector to avoid getting a speeding ticket, you can purchase a jammer (cheaply but illegally) to keep your employer from tracking your company vehicle. Although unscrupulous, this activity is common, and it sometimes disrupts other GPS applications. Here are a few recent examples:


  • The London Stock Exchange regularly suffers from GPS outages, apparently caused by a vehicle-mounted GPS jammer nearby.

  • A fleet driver’s jammer disrupted a new air traffic system at Newark airport, costing him over $31,000 in fines.

  • Drivers in congested areas on British roads frequently lose GPS signal, probably because of nearby jammers in fleet vehicles.

What Could Happen?


A driver who loses GPS navigation capabilities might need to stop and ask for directions instead. But the situation is far more dire when an air traffic control tower suddenly loses access to the network. And during wartime, GPS jamming could easily become an enemy’s valuable weapon against attack by U.S. forces.


Yet another device is needed: a piece of equipment that can “jam the jammer.” Shielding a GPS device from signal interference is essential, and will almost certainly become standard within the next few years. One of the leading manufacturers in this new field is Raytheon, a Massachusetts-based company with a second base in the U.K.


Raytheon’s Developments


To date, Raytheon has implemented the following jammer protections with the cooperation of governments and other companies:














ProductCustomer
GPS Anti-JamNorthrop Grumman Italia, for military aircraft
GPS Anti-JamAirbus military aircraft
GPS Anti-Jam LandU.K. Ministry of Defense
MiniGASClassified
LandshieldIn Development

 


The final two products on the list, MiniGAS and Landshield, are currently in development and promise increased jammer protection in a more compact package. Most applications of these products are military in nature, reflecting the primary importance of national defense over commercial and personal devices. As with the GPS network itself, modifying jammer protection for civilian use will be an easy transition for manufacturers to make.


For obvious reasons, the details of GPS anti-jamming device development are often surrounded by secrecy. Broadcasting how, when, and where anti-jamming is being used would be counterproductive to defense efforts, giving potential terrorists and enemies a head start on coming up with ways to get around the devices.


The Future of GPS Safety


You may be wondering if we are at the start of a never-ending series of devices. Once we develop an effective shield to the jammer, will we see enemies build a device to disable the shield? Will we then invent a device to oppose that device?



Who’s Protecting the GPS?

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Growth of GPS on the Ground Level

Current GPS tracking growth this year continues to take place through the satellite development and launching activities up beyond the air. As accuracy continues to improve and technology enables even more widespread coverage through the efforts of governments around the world, users on the ground level also continue to increase—for personal, commercial, and military uses. Despite the ongoing concerns and debates over the appropriateness of GPS tracking and its applications, statistics seem to prove that usage continues to increase. And at the local government level, pressure to equip fleets with GPS also continues to increase.


GPS tracking devicePopular Use Trends for GPS Devices


According to a report in 2007, 17% of all American adults owned and used GPS devices. Among these users, 67% possessed devices that were portable or hand-held. Only 25% were using built-in devices.


Just a few years later, the sales of cell phones equipped with GPS increased dramatically and car companies began to include more models with built-in GPS systems. Recreational activities and social networking using GPS tracking seems to positively affect the overall integration of GPS tracking into the everyday life of Americans. Rare is the purchase, these days, of a phone or electronic device without wifi-enabled GPS or a built-in navigating system.  Tracking becomes an easy “next step” for users already interfacing with GPS systems in multiple ways.


In fact, the tracking of teen drivers has now become so popular that companies offering technology options abound and the safety benefits for this personal application of GPS technology are becoming widely accepted.


Commercial Tracking


As fleet GPS tracking has become increasingly popular, the uses for GPS on a commercial level continue to be explored and applied. Now considered an essential aspect of management and accuracy, the following commercial fleets in America commonly include GPS tracking—of both the vehicles and their drivers:


  • Public transportation

  • Heavy equipment

  • Trailers

  • Trucking

  • Community service

  • School buses

With companies providing fleet tracking services with the latest technology, commercial GPS tracking can take place on a small or large scale for any business owner who is concerned about keeping accurate data on company vehicles.


Town & Country County Tracking


BackhoesNow GPS tracking for county-owned vehicles seems to be the new widespread trend. While use of GPS tracking in multiple crime-related events has continued to popularize the ground level application of this ongoing innovative system, many seem hesitant to apply the technology to officials and employees of the counties.


For some, the stigma associated with being tracked seems to be the issue; primarily used as a tool to catch or record misbehavior, GPS tracking implies suspicion of some type or another—whether irresponsibility, immaturity, or criminal activity. However, in many counties already equipping their vehicles with GPS tracking, significant improvement in response efforts and coordinated teamwork were among the major motivations for implementing the systems.


Citizens sometimes object to the outfitting based on a mistrust of the local government’s use of the data—and, of course, the cost involved. In a recent announcement from a county in California, for example, the estimated cost of equipping an entire fleet of 44 county vehicles and maintaining the equipment for a year was $33,000.


Tracking the Benefits


Although taxpayers may cringe, teenagers resist, and equipment operators object, GPS tracking growth on ground level has just begun. And the benefits are barely getting started too.


Maintaining a focus on the three major groups above, just a few of these benefits include accurate data, precise vehicle diagnostic information, immediate emergency assistance, and drastically enhanced communication systems between backups and collaborators.

















BenefitsPrimary Benefited UsersAdditional Equipment
History of dataTeenage drivers

Fleet drivers


County employees

Software
DiagnosticsFleet drivers

County employees

Software

Chip

Emergency AssistanceTeenage drivers

Fleet drivers

None
Improved CommunicationFleet drivers

County employees

Dependant on needs

GPS tracking growth doesn’t necessarily indicate mistrust. As transportation continues to explode in this modern world, keeping that transportation and activity as safe and effective as possible is a natural outgrowth of where the technology of our culture is going.


With the ongoing research and development of the latest satellites and the increasing applications of GPS tracking, private lives will continue to become more public and accountability for trust and responsibility heightened. But the essential characters and reputations of those individuals who keep America on the move and progressing will remain individual. Those who continue to perform with outstanding diligence could rise to the top more quickly as technology comes to their aid, helping them to find even more ways to reach goals safely and efficiently.



Growth of GPS on the Ground Level

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

GPS Data Vindicates Nyad’s Record-Setting Swim

On Saturday, August 31, 2013, Diana Nyad entered the waters of the Gulf of Mexico wearing a bodysuit, gloves, a mask, and booties and began her fifth attempt to swim from Havana, Cuba, to Key West, Florida. She emerged from the water on Smathers Beach in Key West approximately 53 hours later, on Monday, September 2—Labor Day—after swimming 110 miles. She was the first person to make the swim from Cuba to Florida without using a shark cage.


dreamstime_xs_25993717It was an amazing feat, achieved by a woman who has dedicated her life to the sport of long-distance swimming. In the weeks after she completed the swim, she was interviewed by Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey and met with President Barack Obama.


Biographical Information


Nyad was born in New York City in 1949, making her 64 years old when she completed the swim from Cuba to Florida. Her family moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, when she was in seventh grade, and it was there that she began swimming competitively. It was while she was enrolled at Lake Forest College in Illinois that she started participating in marathon swimming.


Her notable achievements include:


  • 1970: Swam across Lake Ontario (10 miles)

  • 1974: Set women’s record in Bay of Naples race (22 miles)

  • 1975: Swam around the Island of Manhattan (28 miles)

  • 1978: Other Shores, her autobiography, was published

  • 1979: Completed longest swim in history, Bimini to Florida, 102.5 miles

  • 1981: Published Basic Training for Women

  • 1986: Inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame

  • 1999: Published Boss of Me: The Keshawn Johnson Story

Previous Attempts


This successful attempt marked a completion of a goal Nyad had set for herself as far back as 1978. Her first four attempts were not successful.


  • August 13, 1978: Nyad tries her first Cuba-to-Florida swim. In this initial attempt, she utilized a 20′-by-40′ shark cage for safety. Unfortunately, rough seas ended up causing her to veer off course and forced her against the sides of the cage. She swam a total of more than 75 miles before her doctors called an end to the attempt.

  • August 7, 2011: Nyad’s second attempt was made without the use of a shark cage. However, plagued by shoulder pain and asthma as well as currents that pushed her off course, Nyad halted the attempt after 29 hours.

  • September 23, 2011: Only a month and a half after her second attempt, Nyad was back in the Gulf waters again. This attempt, though, was frustrated by repeated encounters with box jellyfish. The stings caused her to have difficulty breathing, so she stopped the swim.

  • August 18, 2012: Nyad covered more distance in her fourth attempt than she had in any of the previous three. However, she stopped the attempt on August 21 because of jellyfish stings once again.

  • August 31–September 1, 2013: Nyad completes her Cuba-to-Florida swim without using a shark cage—the first person ever to do so.

SatelliteEnter the Skeptics


As with any world-record feat, skeptics were quick to question Nyad’s success. Had she cheated? Had she hung onto a boat at some point? How was it that her speed dramatically increased during one section of the swim?


The mysterious increase of speed occurred roughly between Nyad’s 25th and 32nd hours in the water. Her average miles per hour up to that point was approximately 1.5. During the time in question, the average jumped to an average of 3 miles per hour—a doubling of the speed. In fact, just before the thirty-hour mark she reached her highest speed on the swim—nearly 5 miles per hour.


Skeptics also point out that there were no independent witnesses along on the trip; Nyad’s crew consisted of her team and others with personal ties to her. And they say that an unedited, uninterrupted video of the swim should have been recorded to verify the events.


Just a few days after completing the swim, Nyad agreed to turn over all her information about the swim—observer logs and navigational information, including GPS data. Nyad asserted that she swam “ethically” and “honored the rules.” That means that at no point did she leave the water nor did she use swim fins.


Vindication


After analyzing the GPS tracking data as well as the Gulf Stream, the New York Times determined that during the fastest part of her swim, Nyad was aided by the Gulf Stream current. A professional oceanographer verified the fact that the Gulf Stream—which normally flows from west to east in that part of the Gulf—was flowing from south to north during Nyad’s August/September 2013 swim. In effect, rather than working against her as it had on previous swims, Mother Nature was aiding Nyad this time around.



GPS Data Vindicates Nyad’s Record-Setting Swim

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Confidence with Kovert: GPS in the Ghetto & on the Go

GPS tracking and guiding has become the new normal for nearly an entire generation—all within the past decade. However, dependence upon the devices that tell us where to go, what to do, and where we are has created some new safety risks. When is our need of GPS tracking most critical? When we’re lost. Where do we often get lost? While driving or walking in unfamiliar areas. What is the danger in pulling out the latest GPS tracking device we own in those circumstances? You probably already know where we’re going with this.


TextingDrivingMessage “Mug Me”


Pulling out a GPS, frantically entering data, looking around, waiting, walking forward with the device in hand—all these actions communicate several things clearly to anyone watching or driving by:


  • Lost in unfamiliar territory

  • Lack of information about the area

  • Enough money to have the latest GPS tracking device anyone can see now

  • Completely consumed with trying to find the right street

  • Failed to prepare

The embarrassment of this circumstance isn’t unfamiliar to most of us, but the danger of it might be. Depending on the context and setting, GPS tracking advertisement could send a clear message to opportunistic thieves. A ghetto or certain streets in the big city aren’t places to display any of these messages. In fact, as some recent mugging events even in some small cities demonstrate, simply pulling out a cell phone to make a call could make you more vulnerable instead of less vulnerable to mugging. Advertising a hint of confusion and possession of money could end even worse.


Covered with Kovert


According to the creators of the Kovert app, these circumstances have provided the inspiration for the new undercover technology that allows GPS tracking without ever stopping to look at your device.


Using a code of buzzes to communicate directions, the Kovert app directs a user through any neighborhood or district without any visible signal. As long as the starting and ending points are entered before beginning, anyone can walk with confidence through the most complicated streets.


The biggest challenge to beginner users is learning the buzz code. But with relatively few directions to actually follow, memorizing the buzzes should be simple for most users, making the pocketed device easy to follow at every intersection.


http://techcrunch.com/2013/09/08/kovert-is-a-gps-that-lets-you-keep-your-phone-in-your-pocket-to-foil-would-be-muggers/


Teen-teens driver-drivingMotivation for More


Already inspiring brainstorms for extending the options and developing the technology for additional applications, the Kovert app idea has many possibilities for extending the usefulness and protection of GPS tracking. The creators are already exploring the option of producing and releasing an app that includes further features for those with visual impairments. Already familiar with reading codes, these individuals could bring the Kovert idea to new levels of application for all types of situations. But perhaps the buzz code communication could play a role in solving even more risk factors than the creators may now be initially addressing.


Downsizing Distracted Drivers


As studies this year have already addressed, inattention on the part of distracted drivers creates significant risk to all those on the road. A report from Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) examined the aspects of cell phone distraction that lead to increased risk.


















Activities Related to Cell Phone UseRate Ratio
Combined1.32
Manual & Visual (finding, answering, texting, dialing, etc.)2.93
Responding to/Making Calls3.34
Responding to/Sending Texts2.12
Talking & Listening with Hands-Free Devices1.19
Talking & Listening with built-in system0.61
Talking & Listening0.84

Chart information from http://www.vtti.vt.edu/featured/052913-cellphone.html


With a significant increase of risk for activities related to visual and manual tasks, the results could provide support for cautioning against the distraction involved in GPS tracking while navigating a vehicle.


Although many voice-responsive and built-in systems already seek to address and relieve this situation, many still depend on hand-held GPS devices to get them where they need to go—a dependence that involves extensive visual and manual concentration.


Additionally, the concern for distracted teen and young adult drivers increases as statistics reveal the high percentage who actually stay so connected while driving that they send texts and emails while also making calls, following the GPS, and listening to music.


How could developments following the Kovert idea of code help here? As states continue to pass restricting laws for the use of cell phones—especially for novice drivers–a buzz code could keep the GPS tracking aid helpfully guiding and the cell phone pocketed.  With less temptation to respond to text or email notifications and more motivation to concentrate on feeling the phone instead of seeing it, a Kovert navigation might offer the answer that concerned citizens are looking for to the distracted driver dilemma.



Confidence with Kovert: GPS in the Ghetto & on the Go

Monday, December 16, 2013

Cheetah or Gazelle?

Do you root for the cheetah or the gazelle? The classic nature show video is the slow motion footage of a cheetah chasing a gazelle, or other similar animal. As you watch the world’s fastest feline chase its next meal, do you find yourself rooting for the hunter or the prey? The camera zooms in on the hunter to reflect on its long, slender body as it races over the savannah, and then the shot of the gazelle running for its life. After a few more moments, the chase is over. Maybe the gazelle got away this time to run another day. Or maybe you are watching dinner theater.














Tale of the Tape:Cheetah
Length of body1.1-1.5 meters
Length of tail60-80 cm
Weight21-72 kg
LifespanUp to 17 years
Top Speed75 mph

Cheetah, OtjitotongwaThe cheetah truly is a fascinating animal, and scenes like these from nature shows help us to appreciate the movements of this wild animal. Researchers at North Carolina State University have recently used GPS technology to better understand how cheetahs move and chase after their prey. Using a GPS tracking chip placed in a collar, researchers have been able to obtain more information about the actions, motions, and habits of the cheetah. The study was conducted on free-range cheetahs at the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Botswana (Southern Africa), and the collars used for the GPS technology were designed to fall off after the study.


Cheetahs and Race Cars


One thing found in the study using GPS technology was that cheetahs move more like racecars than dragsters. A drag race car reaches its peak speed quickly and then slows down. A race car is constantly adjusting its speed to maneuver the curves and around other cars on the racetrack. While cheetahs can reach top speeds of 75 mph, they are not constantly travelling at that speed. As they chase their prey, they are continually adjusting their speed through a variety of movements based on the behavior of their target. They use their tail to act like a ships rudder to quickly change direction as they are engaging in the chase. Their quickness is in short bursts to make the most of their energy and not waste it. Despite being the fastest land animal, their chases are only successful about half of the time. Not a bad ratio, but just being fast isn’t enough. If the gazelle or other animal can simply outlast the cheetah, their chance for survival goes up.

















Animal/vehicleTop Speed0-60 time
Cheetah75 mphUnder 3 seconds
Enzo Ferrari218 mph3.65 seconds
Greyhound40 mphn/a
Stock Car RacerUpwards of 220 mph2.9 seconds

Cheetahs and Other Animals


Greyhounds and race horses are other animals created for speed. One of the major differences in studying these animals and cheetahs is that the other two animals are domesticated and would be studied in a very controlled circumstance. Greyhounds and horses don’t chase their prey for survival (though greyhounds would if they were not domesticated) and therefore, their natural tendencies would not be natural. A race course is an artificial situation that horses and dogs are not naturally put in. Research has indicated that greyhounds and horses are built more for acceleration, but cheetahs have the need for speed to ensure their survival (which might not quite be enough, considering a drop in population from 100,000 in 1900 to about 12,000 today). Greyhounds and horses pale in comparison to the top speeds of cheetahs, going almost half as fast as cheetahs, but racehorses have considerably more endurance (and size) and can maintain their top speeds longer. Cheetah top speed bursts are only for about 20-60 seconds.


Cheetahs and Their Prey


Cheetahs mostly hunt gazelles, impalas, wildebeests, and zebras. These animals are mostly pack animals that survive in herds. Survival is sometimes not dependent on outrunning the cheetah, but sometimes in outrunning the other animals in the pack. Usually, the cheetah will pick out one of the group to chase and try to catch it, but will often avoid other animals not in motion as they chase their target.












AnimalTop Speed
Gazelle40 mph
Impala37 mph
Wildebeest39.8 mph
Zebra40 mph

Whether you root for the gazelle or the cheetah, the chase is exciting to watch. Thanks to GPS technology used to track the movements of these fantastic creatures, we have a better understanding of their efforts. Whatever the outcome of the chase, we can surely be thankful that we are safely watching from our couch, and don’t have a first-hand view of the chase!



Cheetah or Gazelle?

Saturday, December 14, 2013

In the Eye of the Storm

Hurricanes can be deadly, and those who have experienced the damage caused by these super-storms know just how important it is to have accurate information. Scientists who study hurricanes use a variety of methods to determine wind speed, direction, and severity of the storms, but most of those methods require costly equipment with limited accuracy. But with the help of GPS tracking, scientists may soon be able to acquire more accurate storm data with less expense.


storm-clouds-1402507-mTracking Super-Storms


The most widely-used method of tracking hurricanes to date is to send storm-hunting aircraft (known as Hurricane Hunters) into the storm, dropping a series of scientific instruments sealed inside tubes at precisely determined points. The tubes, or dropsondes, gather data such as wind speed, pressure, humidity, and temperature as they fall. Because each dropsonde costs approximately $750, scientists usually use no more than 20 to 25 per storm. The packages are dropped in a pattern with the goal of gathering a complete set of data. However, the time and distance between the dropsondes means that there will be gaps in the data set which must be filled in by guesswork.


Now that GPS technology has entered the storm-tracking scene, that guesswork will be reduced to an absolute minimum. Typical GPS receivers pick up signals sent from satellites and use those signals to determine a precise geographical location. However, when the signals are transmitted over water, they reflect off the surface of waves, causing the signal to distort and scatter in multiple directions. In a hurricane situation, the receivers carried by the Hurricane Hunter aircraft can pick up the signals and record the distortions. Scientists can use that data to determine the size of the waves and roughness of the water, which in turn provide information about the strength and direction of the wind.


GPS Tracking on the Job


Hurricane Hunters already carry GPS receivers, and the satellite signals transmit continuously. That means the infrastructure and data transmission is already in place. Scientists must simply collect the data and use it to deduce information about the storms. Scientists hope to eventually use other strong satellite signals to supplement storm data as well. Satellites such as those used for DirecTV and Sirius XM Radio cost millions or billions of dollars, and the signals they broadcast are extremely powerful. By using the equipment already in place, scientists can create an effective storm tracking system that doesn’t require huge expense.


bad-weather-in-paradise-1403119-mTwo Methods, One Goal


One of the greatest benefits of using GPS tracking to monitor storm activity is that it can be analyzed almost continuously, filling in the gaps in the dropsonde data. However, the GPS tracking method is not without its drawbacks. Each method has strengths and weaknesses, making each an excellent complement to the other:











 ProsCons
Dropsonde MethodMore precise wind speed measurements

Can be used over land

Very expensive

Widespread drop patterns create gaps in data

GPS Tracking MethodCost effective

Gathers data continuously


Uses technology already in place

Cannot be used over land

Less accurate wind speed measurements


May not provide good data in areas where the water is choppy but there is little wind (like the eye of a storm)

Even though the two methods each have pros and cons, they complement each other and work together to accomplish the goal of providing the most accurate storm tracking data available. Although the data sometimes overlaps, experts say that dropsondes and GPS tracking usually measure different things. That means that both are needed to present a complete and highly accurate picture of what a storm looks like and where it’s heading.


Using the Data


While storm-chasing can be both fun and dangerous, the ultimate goal is to give people the information they need to make informed decisions. Knowing how strong a storm is, how fast it’s moving, and which direction it’s headed can save lives by giving people enough advance warning to evacuate when necessary. If there’s anything we as a nation have learned from national tragedies like Hurricane Katrina, it’s that preparation is key to surviving a hurricane. Although people may not always be able to save houses and possessions, accurate storm data can give communities enough advance warning to protect their families and loved ones.


As technology advances, GPS tracking provides the next step toward gaining better knowledge about weather patterns and how they will affect various parts of the country. It’s a step forward that could help scientists understand storms better and in so doing, save lives.



In the Eye of the Storm

Catapulting into the NFL

GPS technology has many applications, besides just finding your way to a new restaurant. It can be used today for finding everything from your phone to your kid in a mall. It’s no longer limited to cars, either, as everything from bicycles to boats can be fitted for equipment to send and receive GPS signals. The latest mode of transportation to be equipped is the human body of an NFL player. Catapult is the company that is blazing the way into the NFL to help both players and coaches.


Closeup of American Football on FieldTechnology and Sport Timeline for Catapult


  • 1972: Australia’s disappointing performance at the Olympic Games in Munich, West Germany, where they only won 17 total medals among 168 athletes, compared to the Soviet Union’s 99 total medals, leads Australia to invest heavily in technology for athletics

  • 1972 to 2010: Australia works to use technology to improve the performance of their athletes

  • 2010: NFL executives observe new data being used in Australian rules football and begin to explore its use for American football

  • 2013: GPS technology used during practice by NFL football teams: the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Buffalo Bills, and possibly as many as ten others

  • Today: S4 monitors worn by athletes in practice that uses magnetometers to diagnose and monitor the athlete’s vitals and fed through GPS transmissions to sideline receiving units

  • Tomorrow: Seeing in-game tracking of athletic performance to gauge performance in real time

Coaching in the 21st Century


NFL teams are always looking for an edge to give their teams. Catapult has created a way to help coaches monitor players to make sure they are getting the most out of each practice and game for their players to give them an edge on Sunday in the preparation and conditioning stage of the game. Data analytics is a new technique used by some teams to varying extents that can allow for some advantage if interpreted and implemented correctly. Teams that stay ahead of the curve will achieve the competitive edge they desire for each game.



The Buffalo Bills are one NFL team that is taking advantage of this GPS technology. Both players and coaches are seeing the benefit in this new way of monitoring player health, fitness, and fatigue. Running back C.J. Spiller was surprised to realize just how much running he did on a daily basis in practice. After realizing that he ran about 2,000 yards in practice, Spiller was singing the praises of this system that lets him and his coaches know just how much work he is getting in. The goal is never to have players work so hard at practice that they are not ready for the games on game day, but to make sure that the players are being monitored to make sure they are in the best physical shape they can be in.








Snapshot of NFL player C.J. Spiller during preseason practice 
Total distance run in one practice2,000 yards
Top speed18-19 miles per hour

Bills strength and conditioning coordinator Eric Ciano sees many benefits to the use of GPS technology for the players. He points out that many players are more than one-dimensional and often work with multiple coaches at practice. One way this can help out is to monitor how many reps and how much running a player gets with each coach to make sure that the player is not overworked throughout the course of a practice. Receivers who also double as special teams players can very easily run all day at practice and never get adequate rest, becoming overtaxed and more prone to injury.


Coaches and players also like this system because it offers information that can help allow players to get back on the field faster, based on records of their performance from when they were healthy. Sometimes it is important for players to come back slowly from an injury, and this GPS technology will allow a coach to determine better if a player is trying to come back too soon or even not giving enough effort. In addition to getting players back on the field, a team will be able to get certain baseline information that can help them evaluate players that are trying to make the team.


The NFL is working to take better care of their players. Football is a violent sport with many variables in motion on any given play. Collisions and fatigue are a part of the game. Using GPS technology to get a better glimpse into how fast these variables are moving can be the next step in making the sport safer for all who play it.



Catapulting into the NFL

Friday, December 13, 2013

GPS Tracking to Curtail Ambulance Misuse

When you call 9-1-1 in an emergency situation, you expect that an ambulance can and will get to you as quickly as possible. When every minute could make a difference between life and death or between full recovery and permanent damage, the ability and commitment of a driver to reach you as fast as is safely possible is a reasonable expectation. However, in some countries, that expectation isn’t well-founded. Driver irresponsibility with ambulance vehicles in India has led the Jammu and Kashmir government to implement a vehicle GPS tracking program for all ambulances in the state.


GPS Tracking Trains in IndiaMisuse of Ambulances 


Government officials in Jammu and Kashmir, a state in northern India, decided to implement the vehicle GPS tracking program both to increase efficiency and to curtail misuse of ambulances by drivers. Using the vehicles for personal reasons or to make unauthorized stops has become enough of a problem that officials felt the need to step in. These personal misuses have sometimes been committed at the expense of patients who were waiting to be transported to a medical facility.


Benefits of GPS Tracking for Fleet Vehicles


GPS tracking has provided solutions for fleet vehicle managers in a variety of business and government situations. Its ability to improve efficiency and modify driver behavior has been well-documented. Some of the benefits of equipping fleet vehicles with tracking devices are:


  • More efficient routes

  • Decreased fuel usage

  • Greater cost savings

  • More efficient driving habits (such as decreased idle times, safer driving speeds, and shorter driving times)

  • Deterred vehicle theft

  • Better chance of recovery in the event of a theft

Many businesses that use GPS technology on their fleet vehicles have reported savings in the thousands of dollars—enough to pay for the equipment quickly and still realize a net savings in a reasonable amount of time.


Government officials in Jammu and Kashmir expect the new GPS tracking system not only to provide the above benefits, but also to curtail the misuse of their emergency vehicles by drivers. Because the tracking devices can record exact locations and movements of each vehicle, it will be easier for administrators to address driver misuses and instigate changes in behavior. They also hope that the new measures will increase overall department efficiency.


NYC Ambulance GPSModifying Driver Behavior With GPS Tracking


It’s one thing to talk about gathering data with a vehicle GPS tracking system, but will that data actually make a difference in what drivers do on the road? That all depends on how the accumulated data is used. Many businesses have successfully elicited change in driver behavior by practicing some of these behavior modification strategies:


  • Inform employees that driving will be monitored. Simply letting drivers know that their driving is being monitored and their behavior tracked can make a difference in how they drive. It’s easier to resist the temptation to use a company vehicle for personal reasons if you know the boss will be checking.

  • Institute driver training programs. Let drivers know what company expectations and policies are regarding vehicle use on the clock, traffic violations, personal use of company vehicles, and consequences for violations. Some violations, such as taking longer routes or leaving the vehicle idling for lengthy periods of time, happen because employees aren’t aware of problems or alternatives.

  • Introduce consequences for violations and follow through. Consequences can take many forms, including official reprimands, monetary consequences, and job loss. The severity of the consequence should match the seriousness of the violation. First-time offense can receive a warning and additional training, while repeated offenses over time can result in reprimands and/or eventual job loss.

When employees know both the expectations and the consequences of vehicle misuse, it becomes easier for employers to bring about real change. The data from GPS tracking can bring to light violations that otherwise might go unnoticed, giving employers concrete information to demonstrate individual violations and connect them with the driver responsible.


Taking Back the Ambulances


In Jammu and Kashmir, the ambulance misuse problem carries greater consequences than those faced by ordinary businesses. Because lives are sometimes at stake, it’s vital that the misuse problem be curtailed quickly and that drivers experience concrete consequences for their actions. The proposed vehicle GPS tracking program will help government officials do just that. By providing the necessary data to keep tabs on each driver, the new system will help administrators determine how the ambulances are being used, whether they’re reaching people in a timely fashion, and what changes need to be instituted to improve driver behavior.



GPS Tracking to Curtail Ambulance Misuse

GPS Tracking Gives Domestic Violence Victims Greater Freedom

For victims of domestic violence, knowing the exact whereabouts of the abuser can make the difference between living in constant fear and being able to function normally. That’s why lawmakers in Connecticut have recently implemented a new program of GPS tracking for domestic violence offenders. So far, the program has been introduced in just three cities, but many victims’ advocates hope that it will soon be expanded to other parts of the state as well.


courtHow GPS Tracking Can Help Protect Victims


As part of the program, domestic violence offenders would be required to wear a GPS tracking bracelet or ankle device. Victims carry a corresponding unit that alerts them via phone if the offender comes within a specified distance. Victims’ advocates say the devices could make the difference between life and death in high-risk situations.


Domestic violence isn’t just limited to physical or sexual abuse. There are five recognized categories of domestic violence:












Physical AbuseInflicting physical harm; withholding life necessities such as food, water, medical care, or sleep; forced alcohol or drug use
Sexual AbuseCoercing a person into sexual activity without consent
Psychological AbuseUsing fear or threatening to control behavior; isolating victim from friends, family, work, or other social contact
Emotional AbuseVerbally assaulting the victim’s sense of worth; using name-calling, insults, manipulation, or belittling to control the victim
Economic AbuseDenying access to financial resources; creating or attempting to create total financial dependence

While each of these situations can be cause for legal intervention, not all of them warrant the use of a GPS tracking alert device. There are many other procedures and resources available to protect victims from their abusers, and victims’ advocates recommend the devices primarily for situations in which the victim feels threatened or at high risk of harm. However, greater access to monitoring and alert device programs could make a real difference for victims who fear retaliation or violence from their abusers.


Supreme Court GPSHistorical Use of GPS Tracking in Domestic Violence Cases


GPS tracking for domestic violence situations isn’t new. It has been used by police departments across the country to help them keep track of program violations for convicted domestic violence offenders and sex offenders. However, because the equipment can be expensive, the programs haven’t been adopted universally. Even in states and regions that do have legislation that allows tracking programs, limited funds often mean that police and judges aren’t sufficiently trained in its implementation and use. Some cities don’t have the money to purchase the equipment even though state laws allow it.


Most cities that have implemented GPS tracking for domestic violence offenders consider the need for the technology on a case-by-case basis. It’s considered to be an effective solution for high-risk situations and repeat offenders; however, it’s not needed for every situation. And because the systems can cost $22 per day, implementation has to be carefully considered.


Pros and Cons of GPS Tracking for Domestic Violence


The benefits of implementing a GPS monitoring system for domestic violence cases extend to both victims and lawmakers. They include:


  • Advanced warning of offender’s proximity to the victim

  • Greater peace of mind for victims

  • Better police response time by sending an alert before the offender can act

  • Concrete method of monitoring offender movements and activity

  • Better detection of program violations

  • Greater safety for high-risk victims

Despite the benefits of using GPS tracking in potentially dangerous situations, there are some who still oppose the use of the technology to track offenders. Opponents argue that the devices intrude on the privacy of someone who may not have been convicted in a trial or who may have already served his sentence. The technology has been compared to “Big Brother,” another way for the state to intrude into the lives of private citizens. Critics also argue that if an offender is bent on committing a crime, the electronic monitoring device will not stop him.


Victims’ advocates respond by saying that the lives saved and injuries prevented carry more weight than a minimal intrusion of privacy. The monitoring device serves to warn victims, giving them time to find safety and get help. They also serve as a deterrent for offenders by reminding them that program violations will be discovered.


Victims that have been the recipients of a GPS monitoring device sing its praises. They speak openly about the lives of fear they led and how the alert system has allowed them to gain a measure of peace and normalcy they couldn’t achieve before.


State lawmakers in Connecticut hope to expand the GPS tracking program early next year, giving victims greater control over their daily lives. If the monitoring devices can allow innocent victims to take back their lives, they will be well worth the cost of implementation.



GPS Tracking Gives Domestic Violence Victims Greater Freedom

Thursday, December 12, 2013

GPS Makes Biking Safer and More Enjoyable

Human creativity rarely gets the chance to take hold of a tool like GPS and run with it. Its simple premise—locating a receiver on the earth’s surface with great precision—expands into seemingly limitless possibilities in a wide variety of fields. Bicyclists, both professional and recreational, have taken a particular interest in GPS tracking, especially since developers learned how to make devices small and light enough to carry while riding a bike. In Minnesota, public bike trails are becoming even more enjoyable with the implementation of a GPS-powered mobile bike repair shop. It’s just one example of how GPS is making biking safer and more fun for everyone.


BikeThe GPS Tune-Up Bike


Many city and county bicycle trails are patrolled by police officers or hired professionals who keep a lookout for riders who get into trouble. But when a bike tire blows out, the unfortunate rider doesn’t know where on the trail that professional might be—or which direction to walk in order to find them. A Minnesota-based company came up with an idea for making trailside assistance more useful. They fitted a mobile bike repair unit with a GPS tracker, then made its location data available to riders through a smartphone application.  In the event of a breakdown, a cyclist can pull up the map, see exactly where the repair bike is, and calculate how long they will have to wait for help. The bike repair unit—itself a bike ridden by a trained bicycle repair technician—carries all the tools and equipment necessary for quick repairs and tune-ups on the side of the trail.


As long as there is no emergency such as injury or criminal activity, simply knowing where the repair bike is on the trail makes a big difference to stranded riders. They can continue to enjoy their day while waiting for help, rather than wondering when or if they will be able to get a new tire or brakes. With future developments, we can envision GPS adding even more capabilities to this project: allowing riders to send a GPS-tracked distress signal, for example.


Safety Devices


The GPS tune-up bike is certainly not the only safety device that has been designed for bicyclists. The following products help bike owners prevent theft, avoid getting lost, and keep in touch with others while riding in remote areas:


















ProductManufacturerPurposePrice
SpyBikeIntegrated TrackersBroadcasts location of bike to web-based map if it is stolen$152.58
Edge TouringGarminFull-color navigator specially designed for bicycle use$249.99
BikeSpike (available winter 2013)BikeSpikeSends live data during ride and alerts contacts in case of a crash$129.00

 


GPS enabled devices are still relatively expensive for the casual bicyclist, but many products combine features. For example, the BikeSpike is effective as a tracker while on a bike ride and also as an anti-theft device. As technology advances, many experts expect prices for such devices to fall.


Bicycling Enhancements


For athletes and serious bicyclists, there is a dizzying array of tools to keep track of bike ride data. During a workout or training session, a bicyclist’s GPS device can record:


  • Distance traveled

  • Time elapsed (including splits for miles, laps, or other designated lengths)

  • Calories burned and heart rate

  • Elevation change

  • Temperature, humidity, and other weather conditions

  • Pace per mile/kilometer

  • Personal records

  • Other specialized data, customized to each rider’s preferences

In addition, these devices come in different forms. Some clip directly between the handlebars, allowing the cyclist to safely view the display without losing sight of the road ahead. More advanced models feature voice activation for making hands-free changes to the device’s settings. Watches, chest straps, and arm bands for monitoring heart rate are also available. Following a workout, the data is uploaded to a website where the user can compare past rides and make changes to his training schedule.


GPS and Bikes: A Natural Fit


It’s easy to see why bicyclists, from Tour de France competitors to seniors looking for some enjoyable exercise, are attracted to GPS applications. Expert riders can enjoy levels of record-keeping that have never been possible before, and casual bikers can protect their property and make sure that someone gets notified if they get stuck or hurt while riding. The GPS tune-up bike in Minnesota only operated during the summer, but our bet is that we will see similar projects appear across the country next summer. And as GPS devices become smaller, lighter, less expensive, and more convenient, yet more applications for bicyclists will appear.



GPS Makes Biking Safer and More Enjoyable

FAA Uses GPS Tracking-Based System to Increase Efficiency

Do you hate sitting in an airport terminal waiting for your flight, only to discover that a delay will cause you to miss your next connection? How about those inevitable delays when you’re waiting to pick up a friend or family member? Thanks to a new GPS tracking-based system developed by Exelis, those kinds of issues won’t happen nearly as often. The FAA is already in the process of installing the ground infrastructure needed to support the new system, and hopes to be operational in the near future.


airplane on a sunny daySatellite-Based Surveillance


The FAA has been working with Exelis to develop a new way to track flights in the air. Based on Exelis’ nationwide Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system, the satellite-based surveillance will track aircraft in the air, broadcast that data to ground stations, and relay the information to air traffic controllers.


Pam Drew, a spokesperson for Exelis, said that the new system will provide updates every second, which is far more often than the current system can. That means aircraft locations will be more precise, allowing more planes to land safely and accurately. Not only does that mean fewer delays for passengers, but also better cost efficiency for airlines.


Known as NextGen, the GPS tracking-based Exelis system will benefit both passengers and those in the air traffic industry by:


  • Reducing delays

  • Increasing data accuracy

  • Making air travel safer

  • Increasing cost efficiency

With air travel becoming increasingly necessary for both business and pleasure trips, the benefits of the NextGen initiative will relieve much of the pressure and stress associated with flying.


Who Is Exelis?


Exelis develops solutions for companies and departments around the globe in the fields of aerospace, information, air traffic, surveillance, communications, and more. The company has been in the technology industry for 50 years providing new technology solutions, managing systems integration, offering team leadership, and developing innovative new ideas. Exelis specializes in the following fields:














AerostructuresDesign, fabrication, and assembly for fixed wing air craft, rotor craft, engines, and missiles
Electric SystemsIED jammers, smartphone security
Geospatial SystemsGPS, surveillance, reconnaissance
Night Vision and CommunicationsNight vision, communication networks, testing and support
Information SystemsAir traffic, space network communications, cyber solutions
Mission SystemsIT, engineering, base operations

 


GPS trackers on airplanesBenefits of the NextGen System


The experience Exelis has in the field of GPS technology makes it the perfect business to partner with the FAA in developing safer, more efficient methods of tracking and directing aircraft. The current system is long overdue for modernization, having been in use since the early days of air travel.


In addition to the overarching benefits of safety, efficiency, and reduced delays, the FAA expects to see progress in the specific areas of communication and costs savings. These include:


  • Digital voice data transmissions—This will allow air traffic controllers to broadcast messages to multiple planes at the same time rather than one at a time as the current system requires.

  • 35% reduction in flight delays—The more precise aircraft location and management data will enable airlines to improve the flow of aircraft through the airport. That translates into time savings and reduced delays for passengers.

  • $29 billion per year in savings on fuel, delays, and carbon emissions—Greater efficiency means less fuel spent per trip, fewer carbon emissions, and less time lost. The FAA expects to save 1.4 billion gallons of fuel over five years.

Is NextGen Hacker-Proof?


GPS “spoofing” creates a situation in which a spoofer, or hacker, can broadcast false GPS signals that overpower the true GPS signals, enabling the spoofer to misdirect a plane or vehicle. A confirmed case of spoofing occurred in June of 2013 when some students aboard a luxury yacht spoofed the yacht’s navigation signals and directed it to a different location.


Pam Drew of Exelis asserts that the NextGen system will be security-certified and hacker-proof, alleviating concerns about potential terrorist attacks based on spoofing. In addition to the system security, NextGen will also include a network of data processing systems which can cross-correlate the GPS information with radar signals from the ground. This will allow for double and triple checking of coordinates and flight information, making spoofing almost impossible.


Building a Better Society With GPS Tracking


GPS tracking has already been instrumental in reducing carbon emissions and saving money for hundreds of companies that use fleet vehicles. The tracking systems allow for better data gathering, which can instigate behavioral changes that benefit not only the companies involved, but also the environment.


With NextGen, the FAA will be able to initiate those same kinds of positive changes for the air travel industry. With implications for both commercial travel and the military, NextGen provides a stepping stone toward creating a cleaner world, more efficient aircraft, and safer skies.



FAA Uses GPS Tracking-Based System to Increase Efficiency

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Can you Ask the House Where my Shoes Are?

“Honey, where are my shoes?”


This simple question, that can be asked of countless items, both large and small, and yield countless answers, both factual and wild guesses, may soon be a question of the past. Modern technology is advancing to the point that we’re not too far from using GPS technology to pinpoint and locate anything from our car to our car’s keys to within a few centimeters. In a recent lecture, Todd Humphreys, the director of the University of Texas at Austin’s Radionavigation Laboratory, discussed the growing influence and capabilities of GPS technology. He believes that GPS technology is not that far removed from the realm of science fiction capabilities. In other words, the outlandish world of movie gadgets is not that far from being the truth.


teen girl looking at car keysHumphreys gave many clues into what some of the next big things will be with GPS technology, as well as how to avoid the intrusion of “big neighbor,” who might be able to use GPS tracking devices to locate where you are, which while being entirely creepy, is not entirely illegal. Many uses stem from the old standbys of finding directions, such as devices to track your own children, ways to track convicted criminals, or ways to fish.


GPS Timeline


·         1978: First Block-I GPS satellite launched


·         1983: President Ronald Reagan declared that the new GPS system would be available for civilian use, following news of a civilian airliner being shot down over Soviet airspace, killing 269 people


·         1985: Ten more Block-I satellites launched into orbit


·         1989: First modern Block-II satellite launched


·         1991: Oldest satellite currently in use launched


·         1992: 50th Space Wing takes over management of GPS system after 2nd Space Wing is deactivated


·         1994: Last of 24 satellites into orbit


·         1996: President Bill Clinton issues a policy directive to establish GPS as a dual purpose (military and civilian) national asset


·         1998: Vice president Al Gore announces plan to upgrade GPS


·         2000: “Selective availability” discontinued and civilians now allowed to receive full quality signal


·         2004: President George W. Bush updates the national policy


GPS Dots


When President Clinton discontinued “selective availability,” GPS technology took off as a commercial business. The number of GPS mapping systems and driving guides would expand exponentially during the decade of the 2000s. The error rating of devices for public use went from about the size of a football field to mere meters overnight. The next big thing in GPS technology is actually small. GPS dots, small in size, but powerful in design, might soon be available to use for the public to make sure you can locate whatever might have misplaced at the touch of a button. These small chips can make it possible to find and inventory whatever you have by using the GPS technology. By using these GPS dots, it might someday be possible to ask your own house if it knows where your slippers might be.


Wave Bubble and Spoofer


As GPS technology continues to expand and push new envelopes, the possibility exists that someone might use this as a tracking device for public use. Apparently, the laws that prevent people from tracking other people are rather lax, despite the fact that police need to go through several hoops to do the same. What can you do when someone is tracking you? There are some possibilities that vary in their legality to protect your position. A wave bubble is a device that can be used to hide or jam your GPS signals to make you disappear. This kind of device is actually illegal in the US because this kind of activity is indiscriminate towards your device and any other device in your vicinity, which means that any vehicle that relies on GPS tracking can be affected. A spoofer is a device that does not jam GPS signals, but rather hijacks the signal and moves it to other locations. This method is actually also very questionable and can lead to serious accidents.


The future of GPS technology is bright with new ideas and potential. GPS technology has come a long way from the original satellites and even from the devices that help you find your way while you are driving. They are the hidden asset in our nation, which increasingly depends upon the use of GPS technology, so much so that many people would have a hard time getting around without GPS. Finding people or things from the sky is just the beginning.



Can you Ask the House Where my Shoes Are?

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Cemetery Ramblings: GPS Tracking Leads the Way

Cemeteries have taken a bad rap over the years. They have served as the scene for numerous ghost stories, frightening scenarios, and creepy encounters. Spine-chilling tales aside, cemeteries bring us face to face with death. They remind us of our mortality and force us to consider the big picture of life. Perhaps that’s why so many people have a fascination with burial places. Whether visiting the grave of a loved one or searching for the tombstone of a historical figure, many people are magnetically drawn toward cemeteries and can spend hours wandering among the tombstones. And now, thanks to GPS technology, their wandering might be a little more productive.


Cemetary Robbers Tracked GPSTracking for Tombstones


It’s not always easy to find a specific gravesite in a large cemetery. Funerals are stressful enough as it is, and no one wants to be the person who got separated from the caravan and shows up to the graveside service late, or can’t find it at all. That’s why one entrepreneur has developed a GPS tracking solution to make the process less stressful. The solution involves assigning GPS coordinates to each specific grave or tombstone, embedding that information in a QR code, and allowing people to scan the code for information like funeral programs, directions to the cemetery, and exact location information.


Another option is an actual tracking device that can be attached to the coffin. GPS readers pick up the satellite signal, enabling staff and visitors to easily find the gravesite. Although this may seem a little unconventional, the technology can be especially helpful in natural burial sites, where graves are not marked. By identifying each grave with GPS data, staff members can help visitors easily locate the grave in question at any time of the year, even long after grass and flowers have erased evidence of burial. By allowing loved ones to find and visit the grave even without an identifying tombstone, GPS tracking can help bring closure by facilitating this important aspect of the grieving process.


History Buffs Benefit, Too


If by this point you’re thinking, “GPS tracking for gravesites? Really?” then consider another way this technology could be beneficial. Many history aficionados enjoy visiting the gravesites of important historical figures. There’s something special about standing near the burial site of someone whose life has been an object of study and respect. The new technology opens many possibilities for making these graveside visits easier. Rather than wandering around a large cemetery looking for the grave in question, the GPS tracking device could lead you directly there.


american-cemetery-normandy-1433350-2-mLike Finding a Needle in a Haystack


Large cemeteries with many identical or nearly identical headstones present a third potential use for graveside GPS tracking. Arlington National Cemetery is one such example. A new GPS tracking app released to the public allows visitors not only to find one specific grave among the thousands of markers, but also to experience the cemetery online if they can’t visit in person. The app provides the following benefits to visitors:


  • Photos of individual headstones and monuments, both front and back

  • Directions to a particular headstone or monument

  • Special events information

  • Opportunities to leave feedback

Not only does the app help visitors have a more rewarding experience at the cemetery, but it also provides accountability to ensure that graves are accurately marked and that good records are being kept.


Who Needs GPS Tracking for Tombstones?


While it may seem like a simple thing to visit the grave of a friend or relative, experience teaches that it’s not always as easy as it should be. That’s the purpose behind including the technology at specific gravesites. While not widely in use yet, the tracking systems have the potential to make cemetery visits less stressful and more rewarding for many:










Friends and family membersScan a QR code to find a gravesite, get directions, leave a message for the family, and view the funeral program
Students of historyVisit historically important grave sites and find burial sites for local figures
Visitors to natural burial sitesFind the exact location of an unmarked grave
Visitors to nationally important cemeteriesPay respects to fallen soldiers, loved ones, and historical figures buried in cemeteries such as Arlington

 


While GPS tracking for tombstones may not be a desirable solution for every family, it can offer a discreet, simple way to make the experience of visiting a cemetery a smooth one. By removing the stress of following a map or going from memory, GPS tracking allows visitors to focus on the purpose of the visit: paying their respects to those whose lives were well-lived and who deserve to be remembered for the legacy they left behind.



Cemetery Ramblings: GPS Tracking Leads the Way

Monday, December 9, 2013

Better Positioning in the EU

The European Union is setting itself up to be fully functional with a new global navigation satellite system (GNSS) in place by the end of 2014. In November, the EU committed to spending €7 billion (roughly US$9.5 billion) to go toward projects for Europe’s satellite systems Galileo and EGNOS. Over the next twenty years, the EU is committed to spending over €90 billion for the civil GPS system. One of the major differences between Galileo and the United States’ GPS or Russia’s Glonass systems is that this satellite system is entirely funded and provided by civil endeavors, and is not linked to the military (although military systems will have access to it).


Satellites and GPSThe Need for Galileo


The EU has long desired to have a GNSS that can be used for civilian purposes without the possibility or threat of having its services blocked for military purposes. As long as the EU relies on the US GPS service or Russia’s Glonass system, access to GNSS can be limited or repealed, either by accident or design, for any number of reasons. With so many resources and business activity reliant upon GNSS (such as banking and transportation), GNSS independence is paramount. The EU is able to promote this activity due to the fact that it is not designed for military purposes, so it will be able to continue to enjoy international support and allow access to other nations without fear of military repercussions.


Conflict Averted with the US


When Galileo was initially proposed and plans were moving forward, the EU received some resistance from the US. Apparently, the initial proposal for Galileo was set up to broadcast on the same frequency that was being considered for a possible US GPS military code. The US GPS system is actually a “military first” system that allows the military to have a more precise location than civilians do. At that point, there was a planned split being proposed to separate the GPS military and civilian signals to prevent jamming. The US government voiced their concern to the EU in 2001 over their plans and this possible conflict. The problem was averted in 2004, when the EU decided to operate on a different frequency to allow for the American GPS military signal to remain distinct.


Planned Uses of Galileo


There are five main services planned for Galileo. The first will be open access navigation provided free of charge to those with the appropriate equipment to within three meters. Secondly, commercial navigators will be able to pay a fee to receive accurate positioning to the centimeter. A third service will be for safety of life navigation with guaranteed precision. A fourth service will be encrypted public regulated navigation, mostly provided for government use. A fifth service will be for search and rescue that will allow for finding of distress signals, and also to provide feedback that help is on the way.


Better Positioning with EGNOS


One of the benefits of the future Galileo system will be the use of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), which will augment the positioning capabilities of Galileo. The US GPS uses a similar technology with the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), developed by the Federal Aviation Administration. EGNOS, like WAAS, uses ground placed (geostationary) satellites to create better accuracy for GNSS services. Galileo will have over 40 EGNOS stations to help make their positioning more accurate.


While Galileo will not be fully operational for a few years, the concept of civil ownership might create the groundwork for future GNSS plans in regions around the globe. The expense is real in terms of getting these systems off the ground, but the benefits are far ranging and vital. GNSS has much more to offer than just finding your way to grandmother’s house, and plans like Galileo will help ensure you will always be able to find your way.
















Timeline of Galileo 
May 2003Beginning of first stage of Galileo program
June 2004Signed agreement with United States to use a modulation frequency that will prevent interference with US GPS systems and allow for both systems to be used simultaneously
November 2007 and April 2008Funding issues were addressed and solutions found in re-allocating funds from other EU projects to keep Galileo funded
December 2010EU voted location in Prague to be headquarters of Galileo project
October 2011First two of four operational satellites launched to begin in orbit validation (IOV)
October 2012Second two of four operational satellites launched

 


Non-EU Countries providing funds for Galileo system:


  • Israel (as of July 2004)

  • Ukraine (as of June 2005)

  • Morocco (as of November 2005)

  • South Korea (as of January 2006)

  • Norway (as of April 2009)


Better Positioning in the EU

Saturday, December 7, 2013

GPS Technology Reveals Incredible Bald Eagle Migration

Most of us are old enough to remember when America’s national bird, the majestic bald eagle, was on the verge of extinction. They’ve made such a great comeback, that some of the younger generation may not even know they were ever endangered. The revival of the bald eagle population in North America is one of the most successful endangered species stories in history. Granted, the history of wildlife conservation is rather short, but the success is important in better protecting and reviving other endangered species in the future and present.


bald-eagle-closeup-1428464-m“In the last 25 to 30 years, bald eagles went from almost non-existent to more than 500 nesting pairs to date in Louisiana,” explained Will Selman, a biologist with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. “You’ll find them at the marsh-swamp interface, where the cypress meets the marsh.” The bald eagle’s turnaround from the brink of extinction is largely credited to the banning of unchecked habitat destruction from logging and such, as well as banning the pesticide DDT, which was poisoning the eagles. Thanks to wildlife activist intervention, the population of bald eagles is thriving and the national bird can be seen even in urban areas.


When just a decade or so ago, you were lucky to spot a bald eagle at a National Forest or Conservation area, it is shocking that the national bird can now be seen along highways and near large cities. A bald eagle was recently spotted near Nicholls State University in Louisiana. This is a great sign for the once endangered species. It means that the bald eagle population is growing enough that their habitat also has to expand. “The initial individual that colonizes an areas will take the best territories … As younger eagles come back they are going to move to more marginal habitat,” Selman added.


“They are becoming increasingly urbanized,” explained Nick Smith, graduate student at LSU. “They are nesting more frequently in urban areas and reproducing quite well.” Smith is part of a ground-breaking GPS tracking study of the local bald eagles, run by the Louisiana State University. Tracking the migration of the Louisiana bald eagles revealed some very surprising information, getting the attention of wildlife researchers around the country.


americaneagle“We always knew they went north, but we never knew exactly where,” Smith said. Thanks to GPS tracking technology, researchers can take the guess-work out of where the bald eagles travel. The eagles were tracked using GPS collars, and were tracked from the southern-border state of Louisiana all the way up into Canada, during their annual migration north. The bald eagles spend their summer as far north as British Columbia and Manitoba.


“They come out of Louisiana much like a tornado and migrate north and west,” Selman said. The Louisiana bald eagle migration is interesting for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the researchers had no idea that the birds travelled all the way into Canada, assuming they just travelled further north into the United States. Secondly, the researchers were surprised that the Louisiana bald eagle’s migration was so different from the recorded migration of the bald eagles in the neighboring state of Florida. While the Louisiana birds travel north and west, bald eagles from Florida travel north, along the east coast of the United States.


After more than three decades of protection efforts and recovery, the bald eagle was removed from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services federal list of threatened and endangered species on August 9, 2007. “Louisiana now has a long standing record of bringing endangered species back,” said Selman. “The American alligator, the brown pelican and the bald eagles are the most successful endangered species stories. Louisiana has had a hand in all three of them.”


GPS tracking has made a huge difference in the wildlife conservation movement. Scientists and activists understand that the global ecosystem is complex and interconnected. It is hard to truly understand how one species going extinct could impact other wildlife and humans alike. The bald eagle’s plight received a lot of attention, likely because of it’s symbol as our national bird. It seems important that we not let our national bird go extinct, but there are lots of other animal on the federal list of endangered species, which could have a larger impact than affecting our national image.



GPS Technology Reveals Incredible Bald Eagle Migration