he Role of Satellite-Based Communications Equipment in Transportation

Running Head: The Role of Satellite-Based Communications Equipment in Transportation

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The Role of Satellite-Based Communications Equipment in Transportation

With the advent in technology, different technological advancements have been adopted to make life easier for all human beings. To improve communications, technology was incorporated into the establishment of satellite-based communication (Maral, et al, 2009). Different communication satellite based equipments have been put in place to facilitate the transportation process especially with the increased needs and demands due to the ever-changing global market. In transportation, the satellite-based communication equipment is utilized for the relay of information to ships, planes, vehicles, hand-held terminals and other transportation routes. The most common satellite-based communication equipment is Global Positioning System (GPS), which is used for navigation, OmniTRACS(R) satellite-based mobile communications, GNSS system, which is employed in the improvement of the driving prospects of different drivers and NRTK (Network Real-Time Kinematic).

The most commonly used satellite-based communication equipment in transportation is Global Positioning System (GPS). The GPS satellite equipment employed by U.S. Department of Defense is known as NAVSTAR GPS system, which can easily facilitate the measurement of three-dimensional positioning on land, air and sea (Maral, et al, 2009). The modern GPS satellite navigation equipment that is similar to NAVSTAR GPS system can be utilized for augmenting transportation in air, sea or land. Mariners are provided with exceptional capabilities and accuracy by satellite navigation. GPS tool has been applied in the reduction of time used by a ship’s navigator for calculation and celestial observation. In enhancing safety and routing of vessels, GPS has enabled efficient reporting of certain positions of ships in cases of disasters so that rescuers can have an easier time in their rescuing mission.

Where fishermen are concerned, GPS has been aiding them to arrive at the PFX (probable fishing zones) with accuracy while at the same time avoiding blind netting.  VIS system, which is part of the GPS satellite-based communication equipment, aids in the monitoring of vessels from the shore station, when they are at sea at any appointed time. Poaching and smuggling activities, which are conducted in the sea are detected and avoided through the VIS system (Hamilton, 1993). In this case, the system has managed to help most vessels in the sea to save on fuel and time, due to the accurate course, speed and position information it provides to them. The GPS satellite-based communication equipment does not only facilitate navigation in the sea, it also facilitates air navigation. GPS satellite-based communication equipment is relied on by the pilots to navigate their destinations.

GPS airborne receivers are installed by a variety of worldwide airline fleets for non-precision and enroute operations. Although GPS navigation service is similar to that of ground-based systems, it is a fraction cheaper in terms of costs (Janić, 2007). The existing techniques for navigation used by aircrafts are very expensive but a cheaper, reliable and affordable supplement to this is offered by GPS. GPS can be employed in the programming of n aircraft’s computer such that the aircraft is controlled to fly in a direct route towards its destination (Tarnoff et al, 1990). GPS has ensured the reduction of costs and the increase of efficiency in the aviation sector. Equipment provides flight safety in all regions as long as it is installed, it reduces fuel consumptions and costs and finally it aims at increasing the landing capacity of most helicopters and airplanes.

GPS satellite-based communication equipment can be applied in fleet management. The fleeting management includes vehicle-tracking devices. They are aimed at enabling the fleet operator in finding out the vehicle’s location throughout a journey. The data generated by the tracking system enhances the schedule of the vehicle as well as augmenting the decision making process. Using the GPS satellite-based communication equipment enhances the fleet operations planning and scheduling. This in turn augments the services, effectiveness and efficiency of the fleet being used. Passenger safety is included in the benefits acquired from employing GPS satellite-based communication equipment (Bragdon, 2008). GPS satellite-based communication equipment is also employed in fare payment, adaptive signal systems and transfer center transit.

OmniTRACS(R) satellite-based mobile communication equipment have been utilized by the Department of Defense during the transportation of ammunition as it can be tracked from the departure point to the destination. in the transportation of sensitive cargo Department of Energy and Department of Justice have been employing OmniTRACS(R) satellite-based mobile communication equipment to ensure the safety and fast arrival of the cargo. The reason for the popularity of the OmniTRACS(R) satellite-based mobile communication equipment is its consistent provision of effective methods in the management of logistics for many companies since 1988 (Maral, et al, 2009). OmniTRACS(R) satellite-based mobile communication equipment provides Geofencing, which alerts a trucking company when its trucks approach a restricted area. This enables the company to be aware of the dangers facing its trucks hence, enhancing real time decision making on ways in which the trucks can be extracted from the restricted areas.

NRTK (Network Real-Time Kinematic) is satellite-based mobile communication equipment employed in the European market with the aim of improving the service coverage all over Europe including those regions in which mobile network signals cannot be accessed easily. The equipment is utilized in the positioning of vehicles especially when travelling long distances in remote regions. Many people have lost their lives because of lack of navigation especially in the remote areas. NRTK (Network Real-Time Kinematic) satellite-based mobile communication equipment is more sophisticated as compared to the Real-Time Kinematic satellite-based mobile communications equipment (Tarnoff, et al, 1990). Geographic information system (GIS), which forms part of the GPS satellite-based mobile communication equipment, has been applied in coming up with solutions for operations planning, planning problems, operational needs and other management decision making needs especially for fleet and logistics management.

The system is utilized for the identification of the right bus routes to ensure that different buses take the right routes towards their destination therefore, reducing the amount of time and cost linked to the whole journey (Adams & Professional Truck Driver Institute of America, 2006). The equipment is utilized for the identification of the appropriate packing lots to reduce costs in form of traffic offence tickets. New bus drivers might experience trouble in identifying different streets while driving. For this reason, the Geographic information system has formulated different navigation systems that will enable the bus drivers to indentify the names of the streets thus augmenting their effectiveness. Creating bus assignments on the part of a fleet’s management is not an easy task. The magnitude of this role has however been lessened by the Geographic information system equipment that creates bus assignments in real time and trucks all buses to ensure that they are following the set bus assignment.

In case of a bus’ diversion from its set assignment, the Geographic information system’s equipment reacts by relaying information to the fleet’s office such that the management can make decisions based on the action to take against the bus. Some vehicles might be meant for the transportation of tourist to different tourist destination. In the course of different expeditions, some tourists may wonder away from the group they travelled with creating the danger of being left by the buses. For this reason, Geographic Information System’s equipment is utilized for the collection of data regarding the customers who are boarding and alighting automatically (Bragdon, 2008). In case the number of customers who board after alighting at a certain destination does not match the number of those who alighted, the equipment alerts the management in charge on this difference facilitating the security if the passengers who might have been left when the others were boarding. In aircrafts, fleet management, GPS receivers enhance the automated aircraft dispatch through the utilization of the runway’s full capacity.

This works towards the reduction of manpower requirement, miss handling and loss of time. The efficiency of fleet management in the railway transportation sector has been increased by the utilization of GPS satellite-based mobile communication equipment owing to the factor that a single track is available to different railway systems, collision of trains can occur at any time. To avoid this occurrence, tracking systems have to be utilized for the identification of the positions of different trains (Tarnoff, et al, 1990). This can only be enhanced effectively through satellite-based mobile communication equipment. Satellite navigation works towards the provision of position identification capability when managing engine movements at the railways switchyards. This augments the reduction of costs linked to the delays in the clearance of tracks in times of heavy railway traffic. The use of satellite-based mobile communication equipment in the railways sector eradicates the human factor from fleet management therefore increasing the speed of fleet management.

With the modern increased advancement in technology, many industries have embarked on the use of different types of technology to reduce costs and increase efficiency (Maral, et al, 2009). The transportation industry has gone to the extent of applying satellite-based mobile communication equipment. the different types of equipment utilized in the sector include Global Positioning System (GPS), OmniTRACS(R) satellite-based mobile communications, GNSS system  and NRTK (Network Real-Time Kinematic).these are all utilized on land sea and air to enhance the speed of transportation. The most popular equipment utilized is Global Positioning System (GPS) but still the other types are also utilized but at a smaller scale. The efficiency exhibited by the companies that utilize satellite-based mobile communication equipment cannot b compared to that of companies, which rely on the traditional tracking systems. In conclusion, to augment cost effectiveness and operations efficiency all the companies in the transportation sector should adopt the use of satellite-based mobile communications equipment for their diverse operations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Adams, A., & Professional Truck Driver Institute of America. (2006). Trucking Tractor-Trailer Driver workbook. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning.

Bragdon, C. R. (2008). Transportation Security. Amsterdam, NE: BH/Elsevier.

Hamilton, J., W. (1993). Wireless Communication Systems: A Satellite-Based Communications Approach for Competitive Advantage in Logistic and Transportation Support Services. Computers in Industry, 21 (3), 273-278

Janić, M. (2007). The Sustainability of Air Transportation: A quantitative Analysis and Assessment. Aldershot, CA: Ashgate.

Maral, G., Bousquet, M., & Sun, Z. (2009). Satellite Communications Systems: Systems, Techniques and Technology. West Sussex, U.K: John Wiley.

Tarnoff, P. J., Pugh, T., & National Research Council (U.S.). (1990). Transportation Telecommunications. Washington, D.C: Transportation Research Board, National Research Council.