How GIS Helps Small Ships Navigate?

GIS has been utilized in sailing and other small craft to help navigate not just the location of
other vessels but also land features and obstacles that may arise or even cause danger to boats.
Safety, therefore, is often of critical importance, particularly as objects that can cause hazards are
constantly changing (e.g., positioning of other boats). In early forms of GIS used for small ships,
adaptive GIS processes were critical aspects requiring not only the use of GPS data but other
signals as well, including transmitters used for traditional signaling. The signal and geographical
contexts are the two critical datasets needed in this approach. Combining contexts and different
possibilities between the presence and absence of data within these contexts allow a simple
adaptive process for navigation (e.g., another ship emitting a signal that provides a location
context). If data are found within the context, then the application can update and provide a view,
while data outside the contexts (i.e., no signal) are left without updates or could be interpolated
based on known last transmission.

With greater preponderance of mobile phones, commercial applications have been developed to
work similarly to GPS devices for cars. GeoRacing is one application that uses GPS signals to
track the path of boats using such signals

However, there is also a need for more developed GIS applications, include integrating more
information on hidden as well as surface objects, in particular bathymetry data. GIS tailored for
ships has been used to provide nighttime and foggy perspectives, helping to visualize a setting
when visibility is affected by conditions. Integration of sonar has been an important
development, where TIN models can be utilized to provide real time information on water depth.
Another problem area is geodesic calculations needed in real time. An algorithm that replaces
integrals for distance and longitude has been one way that addresses this problem. The approach
also uses a finite difference method to correct for locations on extreme ends of poles. This
method improves calculations over longer distances in particular, where the only limitation to
accuracy is the accuracy of the signal and computing precision. With these developments, GIS
has been able to substantial benefit safety conditions for small vessels.

Fleet Management and Vehicle Tracking

GNSS(Global Navigation Satellite System) is being used for the tracking and tracing of goods,
-in-
economies performance are very closely linked to the performance of their freight and fleet
management systems.
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GNSS-
cars, taxi) in order to optimize resource management, reduce travel time, increase security and
reduce fuel consumption.

Application Architecture
The core of a Fleet Management Tracking system is a GNSS tracking system used in conjunction
with data transmission by means of the selected communications system, for
instance GSM or GPRS.

This combination of GNSS technology with GSM/GPRS wireless coverage, can keep track on
the position of all the resources, such as vehicles, personnel, assets, as well as incidents. This
information is sent to a server and can be visualized using a Geographic Information System
(GIS), where the location, stops, idling and distance covered by each item can be monitored.
Many systems keep the tracking data stored locally or centrally, which can be retrieved for
further analysis.

The GNSS unit is essential to identify the position of the vehicle. The tracking systems usually
use one of the following architectures, which always include a GNSS receiver:

Passive Tracking: The tracking system stores the vehicles location, through a GNSS
receiver, and other data, such as vehicle condition or container status. This data is stored and
can be collected and analyzed at the end of the trip.

Active Tracking: The tracking device obtains the vehicle location, through the GNSS
receiver, and sends it through a wireless communication system to a control center on regular
intervals or if certain condition are met.

Real-time, cellular network: The vehicle's locations and speed are transmitted periodically
over a GSM cellular network. The controller accesses to the information by logging on to the
vendor's website, which requires a monthly fee, or by receiving the data directly on a cell
phone, which requires a cell phone account. The positions of trucks or goods are updated
every few minutes, according with the system specification.

Real-time, satellite: The vehicle's data is transmitted through satellite to the vendor and the
controller accesses the data by logging on to the vendor's website. This method also requires
a monthly subscription fee.

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A fleet management tracking is constituted by the following components:
On Board Unit (OBU), which includes the GNSS receiver and other types of sensors to
collect the status of the vehicle and the cargo. This device will also have the ability to
connect to a central tracking server. The vehicle's information can include latitude, longitude,
altitude, computed odometer, door open or close, fuel amount, tire pressure, turnoff ignition,
turn on headlight, engine temperature, as well as cargo information and other vehicle's
sensors.
Driver Console, most systems include a driver console where the driver can register shift
starts/end, route used, stops, pickups, drop offs and other labor and business related
information that cannot be acquired automatically. This console can be also used to provide
messaging or warnings to the drivers. Warnings can be issued if the adequate procedures or
schedule are not being followed.
Central tracking server, which have the capability to receive, store and publish the tracking
data to an user interface, which usually encompasses a Geographic Information System.

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Application Characterization
The main benefits of Fleet Management and Vehicle Tracking Applications are:

Improved operational efficiency of the vehicle fleet - Fleet Management provides

businesses with operational data of the fleet allowing the optimization and planning of the
resources, improving response times, increasing the number of services and using the most
suitable routes.
Improved customer care - Knowing were each vehicle of the fleet is at a given time allows
companies to be able to provide to its customers accurate information about the location and
expected arrival time of vehicles and/or goods transported in the vehicles.
Reduction of theft risk - In case of theft, the vehicle is easily locatable which makes it
possible to act immediately in order to recover it.
Facilitated Fleet Maintenance - Usually fleet management systems provide tools to plan
the vehicle maintenance based on the distances run providing alarms to inspections and
maintenance activities.
Enforcement of Transport Regulations - The transport of persons or goods normally
follow specific regulations such as forbidden areas (e.g. some areas are not allowed for
vehicles transporting dangerous goods), velocity limits, labor regulations (e.g. maximum
number of consecutive hours a driver can work). Fleet management systems allow
companies to guarantee that these regulations are being followed by their drivers.

Some of the sectors that use fleet management are:

Public Services Fleets - Fleets providing public services (e.g. waste collection, road
maintenance, taxi fleets, etc) use GNSS for the optimization of routes, planning of services
and determine closest responder.
Emergency and Assistance Fleets - Emergency and Assistance fleets use GNSS to
determine which is the vehicle most adequate to respond to a assistance request.
Car Rental Companies - Car rental companies use GNSS to determine closest available
vehicle for a client, to monitor mileage or area limits on rented vehicles and as anti-theft
system.
Goods Transportation and Distribution - Freight transportation companies use GNSS to
monitor the goods transportation, providing information to customers about their cargo and
determine closest vehicle for unscheduled pickups.

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 Sales Force Management - Companies with a mobile sales force can use GNSS to
determine the closest representative in case of unscheduled visits and to monitor their
representatives activity, mileage and work hours.
Hazardous Goods or Valuables Transportation - Hazardous goods or valuables
transportation companies are using GNSS to monitor in realtime the transported goods,
supporting alarms when the vehicle deviates from the scheduled route or violates
transportation regulations. Fleet management systems for these companies normally support
panic button functionalities that will send the position of the vehicle to the central tracking
server in case of emergency or theft.
Public Transportation - Public transportation operators are using GNSS to track the vehicle
fleet, to eventually reroute vehicles if needed and to provide information to the user.

MARKETING AND BUSINESS APPLICATIONS

What is the Importance of GIS Data?
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have various industrial applications, and
technological advancements have significantly enhanced GIS data, specifically how it
can be used and what can be achieved as a result.
Geographic Information Systems are powerful decision-making tools for any business or
industry since it allows the analyzation of environmental, demographic, and topographic
data. Data intelligence compiled from GIS applications help companies and various
industries, and consumers, make informed decisions.
20 ways GIS Data is used in Business and Everyday Life:
1. Mapping
GIS can be used to provide a visual interpretation of data. Google Maps is an excellent example
of a web-based GIS mapping solution that people use for everyday navigation purposes.
However, smart mapping technology has significantly advanced and is used in products
like GeoViewer, which gives cities, municipalities and private industry an in-depth look
at electric and water district assets in the field.

2. Telecom and Network Services

Organizations can incorporate geographic data into their complex network design, optimization,
planning, and maintenance activities. This data enhances telecom processes through better
customer-relationship management and location services.