224
Chapter 8 Getting There Quicker with Geospatial Technology
a “GPS” since it’s obvious they do so much more than what a regular GPS
receiver does.
These devices rely on a GIS-style system at their core—hence their ability to handle spatial data in the form of road-network maps, use those maps
for routing, determine the shortest path between two (or more) points, and
match an address to a spatial location. This same type of data is used to route
emergency vehicles to the site of a 911 emergency phone call or manage a
fleet of delivery vehicles. The same sort of system is at the heart of online
mapping applications such as MapQuest or Google Maps and in the location
and mapping apps of a smartphone. This type of technology is changing fast
and improving as time goes on.
A March 2009 article in USA Today described an incident where a vehicle navigation device instructed the driver to turn off a road and follow
a snowmobile trail toward a destination, which ended with the car stuck in
the snow and the state police being called for emergency help. Similarly, a
March 2009 article of the Daily Mail relates a story of a vehicle navigation
system that directed a driver along a walking footpath, which ended in a
sheer cliff drop of 100 feet (luckily, the driver stopped in time). When these
kinds of errors occur, it’s usually not because the GPS receiver is finding the
incorrect position from the satellite information. Rather, it is more likely
there are problems with the base network data itself. These types of systems
are only as accurate as the base network data they have available to them.
This chapter delves into how these types of geospatial technology applications function, how they’re used, what makes them tick, and why they may
sometimes lead you astray.
How many times has this happened to you when
using some sort of mapping service—either the directions take you to the wrong place, they indicate
you should turn where you can’t, or they can’t find
where you want to go (or the road you want to go
on)? The GPS location is probably correct, but the
maps being used for reference are likely either outdated or have errors in them. How much does the
usefulness of this aspect of geospatial technology
rely on the base data? If the base maps are incomplete or not updated, then how useful is a mapping
system to the user?
In addition, many vehicle navigation systems will
recompute a new route on the fly if you miss a turn
or start to take another route. However, if you have
been taken on an improper route, how useful will
the system be in getting you back to where
you want to go? A key purpose of mapping systems
is using them to navigate through unfamiliar
territory—but if they don’t properly fulfill their function, what do travelers rely on? Are there any sorts
of liability issues that could result from inaccurate
mapping systems?
What Happens When the Maps Are Incorrect?
Thinking Critically with Geospatial Technology 8.1
Chapter 8 Getting There Quicker with Geospatial Technology
a “GPS” since it’s obvious they do so much more than what a regular GPS
receiver does.
These devices rely on a GIS-style system at their core—hence their ability to handle spatial data in the form of road-network maps, use those maps
for routing, determine the shortest path between two (or more) points, and
match an address to a spatial location. This same type of data is used to route
emergency vehicles to the site of a 911 emergency phone call or manage a
fleet of delivery vehicles. The same sort of system is at the heart of online
mapping applications such as MapQuest or Google Maps and in the location
and mapping apps of a smartphone. This type of technology is changing fast
and improving as time goes on.
A March 2009 article in USA Today described an incident where a vehicle navigation device instructed the driver to turn off a road and follow
a snowmobile trail toward a destination, which ended with the car stuck in
the snow and the state police being called for emergency help. Similarly, a
March 2009 article of the Daily Mail relates a story of a vehicle navigation
system that directed a driver along a walking footpath, which ended in a
sheer cliff drop of 100 feet (luckily, the driver stopped in time). When these
kinds of errors occur, it’s usually not because the GPS receiver is finding the
incorrect position from the satellite information. Rather, it is more likely
there are problems with the base network data itself. These types of systems
are only as accurate as the base network data they have available to them.
This chapter delves into how these types of geospatial technology applications function, how they’re used, what makes them tick, and why they may
sometimes lead you astray.
How many times has this happened to you when
using some sort of mapping service—either the directions take you to the wrong place, they indicate
you should turn where you can’t, or they can’t find
where you want to go (or the road you want to go
on)? The GPS location is probably correct, but the
maps being used for reference are likely either outdated or have errors in them. How much does the
usefulness of this aspect of geospatial technology
rely on the base data? If the base maps are incomplete or not updated, then how useful is a mapping
system to the user?
In addition, many vehicle navigation systems will
recompute a new route on the fly if you miss a turn
or start to take another route. However, if you have
been taken on an improper route, how useful will
the system be in getting you back to where
you want to go? A key purpose of mapping systems
is using them to navigate through unfamiliar
territory—but if they don’t properly fulfill their function, what do travelers rely on? Are there any sorts
of liability issues that could result from inaccurate
mapping systems?
What Happens When the Maps Are Incorrect?
Thinking Critically with Geospatial Technology 8.1