BERMUDA GRANTS TAXI DRIVERS
EXTENSION FOR GPS PROGRAM
Th
Transportation Ministry in Bermuda ordered that all Taxi drivers were to equip
their vehicles with GPS devices by June 30, 2012, in order to bring their
dispatching system up to date. The order was made believing that GPS devices
would provide more accurate and efficient routes and better customer service.
However, the taxi drivers of Bermuda have taken issue with this order,
complaining that the cost of GPS devices is too high, adding that the existing
radio dispatch system is more than effective.
The
Bermuda Taxi Operators Association’s president Leopold Kuchler said the
following in a statement: “We stand for the application and option of voice,
the original and most effective dispatch system ever, accepted in every country
of the world as it has been in Bermuda for over 40 years, providing a safe and
fair working environment for thousands of families.”
“As
recommended, the Ministry will continue to engage the Taxi owners, operators
and dispatching companies through the Taxi Commission to provide the best way
forward,” Transportation Minister Walter Roban said. “Effective July 1, the
grace period will be extended and the Taxi Commission will advise on the way
forward with this specific issue prior to the re-licensing period that
commences on November 1… The Taxi Commission will also be responsible for
industry service matters compromising deportment, conduct, behavior of taxi
drivers and dispute resolution,” said Roban.
“As
the work on the commission continues on these very important issues and
matters, the Ministry of Transport will keep the public fully abreast of the
progress… The Government believes the steps announced today will introduce more
fairness in how issues important to the development of the industry are
handled. We feel this will also address the belief by some that the concerns of
the industry have not been heard or listened to in recent years.” Kutchler told
the RoyalGazette.com that he was pleased that the Minister seemed to be hearing
his industry’s concerns. He adds, “I just hope we will be successful and be
able to continue to use voice dispatch. It’s essential.”
BEARS TRACKED IN MASS. WITH GPS
COLLARS
In
Western Massachusetts, urban residents have had increasing run-ins with wild
bears. Recently, a black bear was spotted falling out of a tree in Brookline,
Mass.. Due to GPS tracking technology, wildlife experts in the area were able
to identify this particular bear, as the same culprit alarming residents in
Springfield weeks earlier. The local bears are being monitored with GPS collars
to ensure the safety of residents, and of the bears themselves. “They work just
like the GPS in your vehicle. We can program them so that when we [download]
the info from the animal once a month, it’ll tell us where that animal has been
every 35-40 minutes,” explained Ralph Taylor, District Manager for the Division
of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Western
Massachusetts is known for its gorgeous wilderness and wildlife. The area is
the home to an estimated 3,000 bears. Currently, a total of 13 bears are being
tracked with GPS collars, and another 20 are being monitored with radio
collars. Taylor suggested that they would have liked to track more of the area’s
bears, but failed to get to the animals in time. The den where they found the
bears was evacuated early due to a mild winter. “The reason that we use GPS
collars is to look at reproduction and survival in females, so we only have
female bears with radio collars or GPS collars on. We do research on wildlife
and try to keep good healthy pop numbers; we regulate how many animals people
can take during hunting season or fishing season for fish.”
As
one might imagine, placing the GPS device on the bears is the trickiest part of
the ordeal. Taylor’s team sedates bears by injecting them with drugs using a
dart gun, jabbing pole, and/or barrel traps. The local bears seem to be getting
more and more accustomed to the urban setting. Despite trapping bears and moving
them out of cities, the same bears tend to make their way back. “A female bear
has a very good location sense. Even if you take her 50-60 miles away. Male
bears have a tendency to move far away from their natal areas, and that way
they have a less chance of breeding with their sisters,” Taylor added.
GEO-TAGGING IN CHINA? NOPE.
China
holds an interesting place in the world. It is a Communist nation that appears,
slowly, to be making its way toward capitalism. China’s cultural heritage is
rich and complex. The proliferation of the world wide web has made
communicating thoughts, feelings and ideas easier than ever.
More
than anything, however, China remains Communist, and that means controlling
free speech. It means that the government is the rudder that moves modern
culture; not religion, not fashion, not money, not iTunes. Amongst its efforts
to control culture, China bans mapmaking without a license. In China’s
interpretation of its own laws, that means that cellular phones or camera which
feature geo-tagging are forbidden in the nation.
Why?
For the most part, China’s communist control is dependent on its ability to control information. The people must believe what they’re told. And what China tells people is more effective when it’s the only voice the people hear. No one knows the jobless rate, the homeless rate, the starvation rate in China: suppression of information is key to propagating the Communist ideal. Among that information control is that china must be the central communication point for all information regarding land mass, etc. In addition, the nation may feel there is some risk in terms of foreign intelligence when it comes to communicating location, etc.
For the most part, China’s communist control is dependent on its ability to control information. The people must believe what they’re told. And what China tells people is more effective when it’s the only voice the people hear. No one knows the jobless rate, the homeless rate, the starvation rate in China: suppression of information is key to propagating the Communist ideal. Among that information control is that china must be the central communication point for all information regarding land mass, etc. In addition, the nation may feel there is some risk in terms of foreign intelligence when it comes to communicating location, etc.
Geo-Tagging Shuts Down
To that end, most production digital cameras with GPS geo-tagging features will shut down when used in mainland China. Those features will simply not function if you visit the Great Wall, snap a pic, and try to post your location on Facebook.
To that end, most production digital cameras with GPS geo-tagging features will shut down when used in mainland China. Those features will simply not function if you visit the Great Wall, snap a pic, and try to post your location on Facebook.
In
a world where the constant flow of information online has facilitated the
toppling of governments, most notably during the recent Arab Spring, China may
also stifle photographs of government activities which the People’s Republic
may find unacceptable or embarrassing.
Other Notable Bans
GPS geo-tagging is not the only ban enforced in China that may seem, um, unusual in the United States. Among notable bans in China are time travel (in films), Miley Cyrus, the Backstreet Boys, anonymous Twitter accounts and blog comments, airlines that conform to European Union standards, traveling to Tibet from China, palm reading for toddlers, public mourning in hospitals, and searching for the word “Ferrari” on the Internet.
GPS geo-tagging is not the only ban enforced in China that may seem, um, unusual in the United States. Among notable bans in China are time travel (in films), Miley Cyrus, the Backstreet Boys, anonymous Twitter accounts and blog comments, airlines that conform to European Union standards, traveling to Tibet from China, palm reading for toddlers, public mourning in hospitals, and searching for the word “Ferrari” on the Internet.
FIGHTING FIRE WITH GPS TECH
This
is no house fire: nearly 22,000 acres of land were on fire near Newberry,
Michigan this past month, charring homes and spewing smoke across the
countryside. When a fire grows this large, aircraft are some of the best tools
available to facilitate control. Now, GPS devices and satellites are helping to
perform tasks once completed through specialized satellites. Monitoring forest
fires requires extreme accuracy in order to maintain safety on an incredibly
large scale. Thankfully, GPS technology is starting to make that task a little
bit easier.
A Damaging Wildfire
A bolt of lightning sparked the flame that became this 20+ square mile blaze. The damage is still growing: nearly 30 homes have been destroyed, with over 200 damaged. In some cases, mandatory evacuations are in effect. In short, this massive wildfire is massively dangerous. How can mankind stand up to a fire of this scale?
A bolt of lightning sparked the flame that became this 20+ square mile blaze. The damage is still growing: nearly 30 homes have been destroyed, with over 200 damaged. In some cases, mandatory evacuations are in effect. In short, this massive wildfire is massively dangerous. How can mankind stand up to a fire of this scale?
Logistical Control Means Fire Control
In this wildfire’s case, the answer is over two hundred firefighters, including two air tankers and five helicopters, some from Michigan’s National Guard. The crew is working around the clock, attempting to contain the fire through pinpoint containment operations. Left ignored, the fire could cause massive damage to Michigan’s natural ecosystem, let alone the human cost.
In this wildfire’s case, the answer is over two hundred firefighters, including two air tankers and five helicopters, some from Michigan’s National Guard. The crew is working around the clock, attempting to contain the fire through pinpoint containment operations. Left ignored, the fire could cause massive damage to Michigan’s natural ecosystem, let alone the human cost.
GPS to the Rescue
For a relatively small crew to fight a large wildfire, the key is to use the team effectively. Water and firefighting minerals/chemicals must be dropped in exactly the right areas. GPS satellite technology has proven absolutely essential in allowing this 200+ member team to identify where its limited resources are best used. GPS and infrared have aided firefighting teams in understanding the blaze, how wind affects its path, and where the path of destruction is headed next.
For a relatively small crew to fight a large wildfire, the key is to use the team effectively. Water and firefighting minerals/chemicals must be dropped in exactly the right areas. GPS satellite technology has proven absolutely essential in allowing this 200+ member team to identify where its limited resources are best used. GPS and infrared have aided firefighting teams in understanding the blaze, how wind affects its path, and where the path of destruction is headed next.
“Swiss Army Satellites”
One of the most fascinating innovations here is the use of GPS, and the emergence of “Swiss Army Tech.” The advent of smart phones has signaled a new level of technological ubiquity. A large portion of Americans (not to mention world citizens) now carry GPS devices of varying effectiveness in their pockets. These devices perform similar tasks, and access the same satellites, in some cases, as the GPS devices used by the firefighting teams above. It is fascinating to see technology becoming homogenized: the same satellites used for “the little things,” i.e. navigating to Little Caesar’s, are used for “the big things,” like fighting the Michigan wildfire described above.
PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS
REPUTATION WITH GPS
A
lot of mobile businesses are using GPS tracking to achieve a number of
benefits. Many business owners by now are familiar with the claims that GPS has
to improve time and fuel efficiency. Whether you are using one vehicle or
hundreds, satellite tracking can help you analyze current routes, plan faster
routes, find disabled vehicles, and the list goes on.
In
a fleet tracking system, each vehicle is fitted with a GPS tracking device. The
GPS unit sends signals to satellites, which read its latitudinal and
longitudinal location. The satellites send this information to a computer
somewhere else on the ground, which puts the vehicle on a map. Depending on the
particular program chosen, the vehicle owner then has access to a variety of
information. This might include current location, current speed, a history log,
and more. Some devices even also communicate data on how well the vehicle is
functioning, whether or not it needs any maintenance, whether or not a door is
open, and so on. Even options to disable the vehicle are available. Whatever
your business needs, there is a system out there that can give you the benefits
you want.
Ken Steitz simply wanted to know mileage, addresses visited, and time spent on service calls for each of his company vehicles. He owns EcoWater, a Fresno, California company which sells and repairs residential and commercial water treatment systems. His company vehicles travel through a thousand square miles, and that’s a lot to keep track of.
Steitz was notified one day that a customer had lodged a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. The customer claimed that an EcoWater service technician spent only five minutes at her house and did no repair work. Normally, there would be no way to prove either side of the conflict, and the company’s reputation would be damaged.
Thankfully, EcoWater was prepared for the situation. Steitz had the GPS data which proved how long the driver was at the customer’s address. When the Better Business Bureau saw the report, the case was dropped. Business owners know that the worst publicity is an unsatisfied customer, so proving that a complaint is false goes a long way to protecting the reputation and success of a company. More owners should implement GPS tracking to keep their good name
POLICE TRACK THIEF WITH GPS
GPS
tracking systems are making thieves think twice before they steal a laptop or
cell phone. Gadgets are incredibly popular in today’s world, especially because
they are very practical. People use their iPods, tablets and computers all the
time for work, games, or to keep up with friends. But many gadgets are
expensive, and for this very reason they are popular among thieves.
Today,
cellphones, cars, computers, and many other devices have GPS tracking systems
that help owners know where their devices are at all times. In the past, if you
lost your cell phone or computer, or if it got stolen, that was pretty much it.
Now is easier to get your device back—well, if it has GPS, that is.
Many
companies are installing GPS systems to track their equipment, especially
expensive equipment like trucks, ships, etc. Before, few companies had the
budget to invest in this kind of technology, but this has rapidly changed with
the drop in prices and higher competition between GPS companies. But is GPS
only for big companies? Definitely not. GPS is not a commodity anymore, and the
technology is more affordable to consumers. Many gadgets come with tracking
devices installed already (many smart phones, for example), and it’s easy to
install tracking devices to computers or other equipment.
GPS,
then, not only functions as a guide to lost or stolen equipment, it is also a
feature that protects an investment. With a GPS, anyone can track a lost or
stolen cell phone.
This
month, a GPS tracking device helped Chicago police find three men that robbed a
Radio Shack. The thieves stole more than $17,000 in equipment and products.They
cuffed customers and staff at the store and took their belongings, including
cell phones, iPads, Kindles, and… a GPS unit. Big mistake! Police tracked one
of the robbers using the very item he stole, and the thief was caught. He’s
being charged for armed robbery and kidnapping, with bail set at over $300,000.
Stories
like this are increasingly repeating themselves. That’s good news for all of
us, and bad news for thieves. With GPS technology becoming more and more
sophisticated, crime has a new enemy.
WHEN NOT TO TRUST YOUR GPS
For
the most part, GPS technology has been welcomed with open arms as a technology
with wide reaching and varied function. However, GPS has its critics. Many
complain that GPS instructions aren’t always correct. This is more common on
cell phone GPS trackers, which must connect to orbiting satellites using
antennas hidden beneath a polymer or metal exterior that isn’t exactly
conducive to strong satellite connections.
One
woman claims that her GPS led her straight to disaster. The female allegedly
drove into a golf course sand trap at 45 mph, disrupting operations on the golf
course. She blamed her GPS, saying that she was following the instructions her
GPS gave her. Police say she was drunk.
So, What Happened Was…
According to police, 46 year-old Patricia Maione had a large Burger King cup full of alcohol in her vehicle’s drink holder at the time of the vehicle’s high speed collision with the sand trap. Additionally, police claim she had started off the day by drinking a half a liter of vodka. Her speech was slurred, and she failed field tests administered by police.
According to police, 46 year-old Patricia Maione had a large Burger King cup full of alcohol in her vehicle’s drink holder at the time of the vehicle’s high speed collision with the sand trap. Additionally, police claim she had started off the day by drinking a half a liter of vodka. Her speech was slurred, and she failed field tests administered by police.
Maione allegedly claims that, while following her GPS, she drove into a cornfield. Maione then apparently decided that the best course of action was to continue driving through the cornfield until reaching a sudden, unexpected stop.
How Not to Drive With Your GPS
The lesson here is two-fold, and extremely obvious. The first is not to drink half a liter of vodka before stepping into an automobile. The second is that your GPS does not drive for you. A GPS is, quite obviously, no excuse for driving while intoxicated.
The lesson here is two-fold, and extremely obvious. The first is not to drink half a liter of vodka before stepping into an automobile. The second is that your GPS does not drive for you. A GPS is, quite obviously, no excuse for driving while intoxicated.
GPS is No Excuse
The incident highlights an important, common complaint with GPS trackers: that they sometimes just aren’t right. The satellite signal may be interrupted for whatever reason; the GPS may have trouble with the signal it is receiving. Cell phone GPS devices are often noticeably weaker than standalone GPS trackers, sometimes causing additional frustration. It should be noted again here that GPS devices are not entirely foolproof, even though technology is greatly increasing the hyper-accuracy of even the smallest devices.
The incident highlights an important, common complaint with GPS trackers: that they sometimes just aren’t right. The satellite signal may be interrupted for whatever reason; the GPS may have trouble with the signal it is receiving. Cell phone GPS devices are often noticeably weaker than standalone GPS trackers, sometimes causing additional frustration. It should be noted again here that GPS devices are not entirely foolproof, even though technology is greatly increasing the hyper-accuracy of even the smallest devices.
Don’t
drive drunk. Don’t follow your GPS’s directions into a sand trap on a golf
course. It makes the rest of us look bad.
YOU BRING THE PEANUT BUTTER…
GPS HATERS BRING THE JAM
It’s
no secret that GPS technology is quickly becoming ubiquitous. GPS devices are
in our cars, on our boats, in our pockets. GPS mapping is performed by
companies like Google and TomTom. It’s being crowd-mapped through a host of
apps. It’s being amalgamated with WiFi, 3G and 4G signals to produce
hyper-accurate mapping in real time. It’s also being jammed.
GPS Jammers a Big Problem
No doubt you’ve traveled once in a while, constantly looking for the next source of WiFi so you can check your email, boot up Mapquest, Facebook stalk that one special person you’re interested in. We’ve become a generation that is almost completely dependent on a constant stream of data. It’s becoming increasingly important for GPS devices as well. What good is a GPS is some jerk is jamming your GPS signal?
No doubt you’ve traveled once in a while, constantly looking for the next source of WiFi so you can check your email, boot up Mapquest, Facebook stalk that one special person you’re interested in. We’ve become a generation that is almost completely dependent on a constant stream of data. It’s becoming increasingly important for GPS devices as well. What good is a GPS is some jerk is jamming your GPS signal?
The
Global Navigation Satellite System Vulnerability Conference recently studied
how common GPS jamming is. In six months, a study presented at the conference
listed 60 illegal GPS jamming signals.
Why Jam a GPS Signal?
Much has been written on this blog about the use of GPS tracking in law enforcement. The fact is, if a vehicle can jam a GPS signal, then law enforcement officials will have a much harder time tracking it. Individuals who steal vehicles may greatly depend on these small devices to ensure their vehicles are not tracked.
Much has been written on this blog about the use of GPS tracking in law enforcement. The fact is, if a vehicle can jam a GPS signal, then law enforcement officials will have a much harder time tracking it. Individuals who steal vehicles may greatly depend on these small devices to ensure their vehicles are not tracked.
Accidental Jamming
GPS jamming isn’t always entirely done by nefarious criminals, however. Jamming of a GPS signal may occur by accident, especially if signals bleed over into the GPS’s airwaves. GPS satellites use similar frequencies to those used by radio and television (before cable); signals bleeding over is not an unrealistic scenario.
GPS jamming isn’t always entirely done by nefarious criminals, however. Jamming of a GPS signal may occur by accident, especially if signals bleed over into the GPS’s airwaves. GPS satellites use similar frequencies to those used by radio and television (before cable); signals bleeding over is not an unrealistic scenario.
“Act of God” Jamming
GPS signals may also be jammed by an act of God, such as adverse weather conditions. Ensuring a GPS signal gets through in these conditions is a tech hurdle faced especially by GPS manufacturers in the military and marine sectors.
GPS signals may also be jammed by an act of God, such as adverse weather conditions. Ensuring a GPS signal gets through in these conditions is a tech hurdle faced especially by GPS manufacturers in the military and marine sectors.
A Threat to Be Combatted
However, there is still an imminent threat when individuals maliciously, purposefully jam GPS signals. Not only may these jammers be used to facilitate illegal activities, they may result in collateral damage ranging from frustrated drivers to disruption of emergency services. For this reason, manufacturers continue to seek new ways to fight GPS signal vulnerability.
However, there is still an imminent threat when individuals maliciously, purposefully jam GPS signals. Not only may these jammers be used to facilitate illegal activities, they may result in collateral damage ranging from frustrated drivers to disruption of emergency services. For this reason, manufacturers continue to seek new ways to fight GPS signal vulnerability.
WHAT YOUR GPS DOESN’T SEE
Those
GPS trackers are coming with more bells and whistles than ever these days.
While GPS tracking has extremely wide and varied applications—fleet management,
social networking, law enforcement, and more—the most common reason we boot up
that GPS is to get directions from point A to point B.
Modern
GPS trackers are built to understand the flow of traffic in your area, alerting
you to potentially dicey traffic situations. Most GPS devices, even phones, are
equipped to tell you when you might be running into rough
traffic. However, there is one interesting caveat to how your GPS
understands the flow of traffic.
Road Work
Your GPS might not necessarily understand whether or not there is road work going on in your area. Here’s how these machines work: they connect to a satellite. The satellite communicates with the machine regarding both directions and flow of traffic. It does not, however, know what is causing a disruption in traffic, should there be one. That’s right: if there is an ocean of cones sealing off a lane down the road, your GPS doesn’t know the difference between that disruption and an accident.
Your GPS might not necessarily understand whether or not there is road work going on in your area. Here’s how these machines work: they connect to a satellite. The satellite communicates with the machine regarding both directions and flow of traffic. It does not, however, know what is causing a disruption in traffic, should there be one. That’s right: if there is an ocean of cones sealing off a lane down the road, your GPS doesn’t know the difference between that disruption and an accident.
An Interesting Feature for GPS
Designers to Consider
Why is that important? If you are familiar with your local area, you no doubt have noticed that road work is seasonal: it tends to take place mostly during the summer months. It can also range from moderately disruptive to extremely disruptive. If that bridge you need to cross every day to get to work is out of commission, there’s an outside chance your GPS might think it is a simple traffic hiccup.
Why is that important? If you are familiar with your local area, you no doubt have noticed that road work is seasonal: it tends to take place mostly during the summer months. It can also range from moderately disruptive to extremely disruptive. If that bridge you need to cross every day to get to work is out of commission, there’s an outside chance your GPS might think it is a simple traffic hiccup.
Categorizing
GPS data may be the next step in using GPS trackers to enhance modern
transportation. By adding that next step of analyzing the flow of traffic, GPS
machines may give better suggestions, routing your vehicle in a more effective
manner.
The Daily Presence of GPS in Our Lives
Either way, it looks like global positioning technology is becoming more of an essential than a convenience to most road travelers. The road maps are becoming outdated, and our dependence on data, on little ones and zeroes floating through the air, continues to enjoy a stronger grip on our daily lives. It’s truly fascinating to see our march into a truly digital age.
Either way, it looks like global positioning technology is becoming more of an essential than a convenience to most road travelers. The road maps are becoming outdated, and our dependence on data, on little ones and zeroes floating through the air, continues to enjoy a stronger grip on our daily lives. It’s truly fascinating to see our march into a truly digital age.
REMEMBERING THE FALLEN WITH
GPS
nShare
Memorial
Day has come and gone for 2012. Flags have been placed on gravesites, and the
fallen heroes of America’s wars have been honored. However, as veterans
and their family members pass on, they take their memories with them, including
the location of hundreds of military gravesites. Now, with the help of GPS
technology, one chapter of the American Legion in Oxford, Iowa, is making an
effort to locate and map the final resting place of more than 300 soldiers in
six Johnson County cemeteries.
The Process
Each year, people wishing to honor those who have served our country hunt through cemeteries and check limited records for headstones noting the location of a deceased veteran, but this takes time and effort. This year, the sons of American Legion Squadron 537 are taking down GPS latitude and longitude coordinates for each gravesite they come across as they lay out flags. Using a compilation of local American Legion data, cemetery records, and information from the Johnson County Veteran Affairs Department, volunteers and members of 537 hope to have a complete list of GPS coordinates for veterans buried in Johnson County, which can then be accessed through not only the Johnson County website and the American Legion website but also genealogical websites.
Each year, people wishing to honor those who have served our country hunt through cemeteries and check limited records for headstones noting the location of a deceased veteran, but this takes time and effort. This year, the sons of American Legion Squadron 537 are taking down GPS latitude and longitude coordinates for each gravesite they come across as they lay out flags. Using a compilation of local American Legion data, cemetery records, and information from the Johnson County Veteran Affairs Department, volunteers and members of 537 hope to have a complete list of GPS coordinates for veterans buried in Johnson County, which can then be accessed through not only the Johnson County website and the American Legion website but also genealogical websites.
The Purpose
When it comes to victims of war, America’s motto has always been, “Never Forget.” And according to John Derner, the department adjutant for the American Legion of Iowa, this is actually one of the main objectives for his organization, “to preserve the memory of those who served before us.” So far, Oxford is the only city trying to remember its servicemen and women with GPS technology. Des Moines may soon follow suit in its efforts to uncover veterans of the Civil War in its oldest cemeteries. Not only will it be easier for volunteers to place flags on graves for patriotic holidays, but as the curator of the Johnson County Historical Society points out, historians and people researching their family tree will also benefit.
When it comes to victims of war, America’s motto has always been, “Never Forget.” And according to John Derner, the department adjutant for the American Legion of Iowa, this is actually one of the main objectives for his organization, “to preserve the memory of those who served before us.” So far, Oxford is the only city trying to remember its servicemen and women with GPS technology. Des Moines may soon follow suit in its efforts to uncover veterans of the Civil War in its oldest cemeteries. Not only will it be easier for volunteers to place flags on graves for patriotic holidays, but as the curator of the Johnson County Historical Society points out, historians and people researching their family tree will also benefit.
As
workers continue their efforts in Oxford, Iowa, the city’s history is more
fully and accurately represented with a GPS coordinated map that will help
citizens honor their dead. Hopefully, no veteran will be forgotten. The group
from Squadron 537 anticipates completing its project by the next patriotic
holiday of this year, July 4
No comments:
Post a Comment