Arctic GIS Workshop Poster Abstract

22-24 January 2001
Bell Harbor International Conference Center
Seattle, Washington

Recent Advances in GPS/GIS Data Collection

Ashok Wadwani
Applied Field Data Systems, 16300 Katy Freeway, #250, Houston, TX 77094, Phone: 281/579-0492, Fax: 281/579-0412, afdsaw@aol.com

The presentation will cover tremendous advances in GPS/GIS technology which have taken place during the last year or so. These advances have made the tasks of field data collection easier and much more economical. The area of advancements have been in the GPS technology as well as in the new hardware and software now available to GPS/GIS professionals for mapping applications. With the elimination of Selective Availability and worldwide coverage of DGPS service, accurate position data can be obtained economically. Since about a year, a large number of Personal Digital Assistants(PDA) running on Palm O/S and Pocket PC operating systems have been introduced . Several versions of rugged PC'S have been also introduced. About 10 different types of field data collection software running on Palm O/S, Pocket PC, and Windows operating systems are now available. A GPS/GIS data collection project can now be easily handled by utilizing one of the PDA'S coupled with appropriate software. Advantages of new generation hardware and software will be discussed. New mapping tools/technology such as laser range finders are now available with much easier user friendly software and at much lower costs. Presentation will cover the use of these devices. Selection consideration for mapping projects will be covered in the presentation. Case histories of GPS/GIS data collection recently conducted with new type of hardware and software will be presented.