top of page


GPS in Action
 


You are familiar with the little blue dot that identifies your precise location and apps that help you navigate to your intended destination. But did you know that GPS is an integral part of these and hundreds of other applications that improve our day-to-day lives, and even help save our lives?

Learn more below:

 

Accelerating Emergency Response Times

Featuring GPSIA Member Garmin

Garmin inReach-enabled devices locate and assist users who are experiencing emergencies. GPS signals are especially valuable for first responders who are trying to find people in remote locations or when Wi-Fi isn't available. (Watch video here!)

cq5dam.web_.1280.1280.jpg
Photo: Garmin

Improving Rail Safety through Positive Train
Control Systems

Trains equipped with GPS technology prevent derailments and collisions. In the event of movement violations, positive train control-equipped trains will be stopped to reduce the impacts of human error. 

Railroad Ties Installation Guide
Video: AAR

Delivering Accurate Earthquake Warnings

Featuring ShakeAlert

Shake Alert uses GPS and other sensors to warn the public in advance when and where earthquakes will strike so people may safely seek shelter.

Safety Wear
Video: UC Berkeley

Improving Weather 
Forecasts

Featuring NASA and NOAA

GPS Technology can help researchers better forecast weather using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and a technique called radio occultation.

Video: NASA

GPS-Enabled Air Navigation

Featuring GPSIA Member Garmin

GPS-equipped aircraft navigate more efficiently and enable pilots to relay their position to air traffic control and other aircraft. The benefits? Safely reducing aircraft separation increases flight capacity, reduces fuel consumption, and optimizes flight routes.  (Watch the video here!)

Plane
BonanzaA66240_WS.jpg
Photo: Garmin

Portable Air Navigation

Featuring GPSIA Member Garmin

GNSS receivers are used in Air Navigation Technology to provide General Aviators accurate positioning in real time, creating more efficiency and control, and determining the quickest route. (Watch video here!)

Fixed-Wing Glider
11-18255c.jpg
Photo: Garmin
 

Micromobility Solves the "Last Mile"

Scooters, bikes, and other micro vehicles are convenient and safe with the help of GPS. Accompanying apps locate the nearest vehicle, calculate the cost of users to rent the vehicles for short distances, and improve the rider's safety using GPS technology.

637830363139530000.jpeg
Screen Shot 2023-12-15 at 1.45.02 PM.png
Photo: City of Redwood, CA

Keeping a Watchful Eye on Your Vehicle

Featuring GPSIA Member Garmin

Dash Cams improve driver safety and can provide a record of incidents on the road and while vehicles are parked. GPS-enabled technology registers time and location, which can be vital in pinpointing when and where an incident occurred.

(Watch video here!)

Traffic
55998-1-compressed-1480x833.webp
Photo: Garmin

Food Security through Precision
Agriculture

Featuring GPSIA Member Deere & Co.

Precision Agriculture enabled by GPS increases the efficiency of farming, saving farmers time and reducing costs for water, plantings/seeds, and pesticide and herbicide applications.

21st Century Ranching

GPS technology allows Ranchers to save time and decrease costs for installing and repairing fences. Collars equipped with GPS help Ranchers locate animals, keep them safe, and remotely monitor their locations.

Dog in Farm
90.webp
Photo: Celia Llopis-Jepsen

Smart Fishing

Featuring GPSIA Member Garmin

Sonar and GPS technology makes finding fish more efficient by tracking and recording locations where fish are swimming.

strickerWP.jpg
Photo: Garmin

Surveyors Make 
Infrastructure a Reality

Featuring GPSIA Member Trimble

Advanced surveying technologies use GPS to help safely and efficiently place and construct roads, buildings, power supplies, and waterways, down to centimeters-level accuracy.

Today and the Future: Digital Construction

Featuring GPSIA Member Trimble

GNSS receivers are used in Construction Technology to provide accurate positioning in real time, creating more efficiency and control when using heavy equipment and accelerating project completion.

Industrial Mining

Land Management through Precision Forestry
and Logging

Featuring GPSIA Member Deere & Co.

GPS technology can locate treelines and track the progress of logging, allowing operators to log only where necessary and permitted.

GPS in Financial Institutions

GPS tracking devices can be used in banking institutions to protect assets and help track down stolen items.

Atomic clocks on board the GPS satellites also synchronize nearly every financial transaction completed worldwide.

Image by Etienne Martin
Photo: Etienne Martin

Humanitarian
Demining Saves Lives

Landmines pose a major threat to the lives of civilians. GPS-enabled technology can locate the position of these landmines from a distance to ensure the safety of civilians.

Kalgoorlie_open_cast_mine.jpg
Image by Shane McLendon
Photo: Shane McLendon

GPS-Enhanced Archaeology

GPS technology is used by archaeologists record and collect data, map sites, and even predict the location of archaeological sites.

archeologist-1024x677.jpg
Photo: ​Stevica Mrdja

Tracking
Endangered Species

GPS collars are used to help endangered species by tracking and monitoring their movements to discover ways to improve their lives and avoid extinction.

_132078680_marwellwildlife-grevy'szebracollaringproject2023-4-1.jpg.webp
Photo: Marwell Wildlife

Safe, Fun
Off-Roading

Featuring GPSIA Member Garmin

GNSS receivers "listen" for global satellite signals, and turn this information into a safe route so drivers can enjoy their ride. (Watch video here!)

Sand Dunes
51718-2-1480x833.jpeg
Photo: Garmin
bottom of page