This synthesis will be of interest to both administrative and technical personnel in departments of transportation (DOTs), especially in the areas of surveying, mapping, transportation planning, environmental impact assessment, design, construction control, maintenance, operations, vehicle location, and other functions that require accurate location data. This report will be useful for intermodal transportation analyses and for measurement and positioning data for inventories and geographic information systems (GIS). It can also be useful to suppliers and developers of Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment. This report of the Transportation Research Board presents a description of GPS, the major components, basic geodesy principles, how GPS functions, and how it can be applicable to the data and analysis requirements of transportation agencies. The anticipated cost effectiveness of GPS in terms of personnel, equipment, and time as related to the improved accuracies to be derived from GPS applications are described. Current and more advanced applications of GPS by DOTs to different transportation modes are presented. The report also includes a glossary of terms and a listing of GPS information sources.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system that was originally designed for the U.S. military. However, the number of civilian GPS users now exceeds the military users, and many commercial markets have emerged. This book identifies technical improvements that would enhance military, civilian, and commercial use of the GPS. Several technical improvements are recommended that could be made to enhance the overall system performance.

The GPS Signal - Biases and Solutions - The Framework - Receivers and Methods - Coordinates - Planning a Survey - Observing - Postprocessing - RTK and DGPS.

A comprehensive assessment of the challenges and opportunities created by worldwide access to this revolutionary technology.

"For more than 50 years, the Transportation Research Record has been internationally recognized as one of the preeminent peer-reviewed journals for transportation research papers from authors in the United States and from around the world. One of the most cited transportation journals, the TRR offers unparalleled depth and breadth in the coverage of transportation topics from both academic and practitioner perspectives. All modes of passenger and freight transportation are addressed in papers covering a wide array of disciplines, including policy, planning, administration, economics and financing, operations, construction, design, maintenance, safety, and more."--Publisher's website