The most effective way to achieve a robust and globally consistent continental reference system is through the technology of the Global Positioning System (GPS). The explosive growth of GPS applications and the economics of GPS make it the technique of choice for sustainable geodetic operations within Africa.
Claude Boucher, Former Secretary General, International Association of Geodesy (IAG)
The surveying and mapping community was one of the first to take advantage of GPS because it dramatically increased productivity and resulted in more accurate and reliable data. Today, GPS is a vital part of surveying and mapping activities around the world.
When used by skilled professionals, GPS provides surveying and mapping data of the highest accuracy. GPS-based data collection is much faster than conventional surveying and mapping techniques, reducing the amount of equipment and labor required. A single surveyor can now accomplish in one day what once took an entire team weeks to do.
GPS supports the accurate mapping and modeling of the physical world — from mountains and rivers to streets and buildings to utility lines and other resources. Features measured with GPS can be displayed on maps and in geographic information systems (GIS) that store, manipulate, and display geographically referenced data.
Benefits
- Significant productivity gains in terms of time, equipment, and labor required.
- Fewer operational limitations compared to conventional techniques.
- Accurate positioning of physical features that can be used in maps and models.
- Faster delivery of geographic information needed by decision makers.
- Centimeter-level surveying results in real-time.
