The market for GPS-based mobile phone applications is huge and growing bigger everyday. East Coast Diversified Corporation (OTC:ECDC), a leader in GPS-based RFID solutions, recently announced they are considering developing social networking and mobile applications based on GPS tracking technology. A subsidiary of ECDC, EarthSearch Communications, has developed a new division to explore the opportunities in this exciting new market.
Based on current estimates, there are 300 million cell phone users in the US, with 5 billion cell phone users globally. The majority of cell phones come with GPS navigation capabilities pre-installed, so the market potential for GPS-based mobile apps is enormous.
Many people have already heard of Foursquare, the GPS-based social networking application. Foursquare is great for keeping in touch with friends and family on the go, but there are many more useful possibilities for GPS-based cell phone apps. With GPS devices already in most cellular users pockets, uses for GPS related mobile applications could really be left up to ones imagination.
This week American researchers at Ohio State University revealed they have a new tool for detecting illegal nuclear explosions: the Earth’s global positioning system (GPS). The discovery was announced this week at a Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) meeting.
Researchers have discovered that nuclear tests leave a mark on the part of the upper atmosphere known as the ionosphere. After a nuclear explosion, there is a change in ionospheric electron density, as a bubble of disturbed particles spread out from the test site and across the planet. As the GPS signal passes through the edge of the bubble, the change in electron density disturbs the signal in a noticeable way.
Even though the GPS system was designed for location purposes, the technology has always been especially sensitive to atmospheric disturbances, said Dorota Grejner-Brzezinska, a professor of geodetic science at Ohio State University. The GPS system can help confirm that a nuclear test has taken place – especially when the test was underground, so that its effect in the air is very subtle, and otherwise nearly impossible to detect.
Reverend Robin Hoover, a human-rights activist, is supplying men and women in the business of smuggling illegal immigrants across the US and Mexico border with GPS tracking devices, hoping to prevent the migrants from dying on the journey, according to a recent story in the Christian Science Monitor. As summer approaches, temperatures near the California, Arizona and Texas borders are well above 100 degrees, and can be very dangerous.
It is not uncommon for migrants to die while attempting to illegally cross the border. During the past decade, authorities have recovered over 2,000 bodies in the desert.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a leader in bringing innovative safety and driver technology in mainstream vehicles. This week, Ford demonstrated how far they’ve come in car-to-car communication technology. Ford also showed what the future of driving may look like with talking vehicles that can warn of hazards and traffic ahead. Ford is one of the first automakers to build prototype vehicles demonstrating this exciting new technology.
With vehicle-to-vehicle communication, intelligent cars talk to each other wirelessly, warning drivers of potential dangers. Utilizing advanced wi-fi technology and GPS, intelligent vehicles will help drivers identify and respond to potential dangers as well as identify conveniences while on the road. With this technology cars will be able to send messages to other cars about where they are and where they’re headed.
If there is an accident or any other potential driving hazard coming up, vehicles will be able to instantly receive information about the upcoming dangers, giving drivers more notice and time to respond. The new technology is called a DVI system – which stands for Driver Vehicle Information. This technology provides either audible or visual cues to alert drivers of what potential dangers coming ahead.
Last month DHL, one of the world’s largest logistics companies, launched a fleet of environmentally-friendly delivery trucks in Manhattan. Launching the new fleet of vehicles is an integral part of the DHL’s global Go Green strategy. DHL’s all-new Green Fleet is an important part of the company’s overall mission to reduce their environmental impact.
DHL’s goal is to improve the company’s carbon efficiency worldwide by 30 percent by 2020, compared to 2007 base levels. In addition to developing a greener fleet, the key components of DHL’s Go Green program includes the improvement of the energy efficiency in buildings, the implementation of innovative technologies, the mobilization of employees and the involvement of subcontractors and customers.
The company’s Green Fleet Initiative was launched in New York by Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL. According to Appel, “ Customers worldwide are increasingly demanding greener logistics, sustainable business procedures and initiatives like the one we are launching today will – at the same time – also enhance the profitability of our business. Sustainability, especially the reduction of carbon emissions, is a central aspect of our business and an integral part of our corporate strategy. As the global leader in logistics we are ideally positioned to foster climate protection in order to save our environment for future generations.”
Fleet tracking system sales appear to be increasing this year, mostly due to this year’s recent surges in gas prices. When gas prices top $4 per gallon, companies start looking for ways to save money. Managers start paying attention to how their employees are driving, and for ways to increase operating efficiencies.
Small changes can have a big impact on a large scale, and the cost savings can really start add up. Many are surprised to find out that a fleet tracking system can help them to see immediate results and cut costs across the board. In today’s challenging economic climate, profit margins are slim and companies must implement as many cost-saving initiatives as possible.
In order to remain competitive, companies have to look very closely at every penny spent. Because a fleet tracking system can provide an ROI in less than six months and immediately reduce fuel consumption, plus produce ecological benefits, companies both large and small are utilizing them to create profitable, sustainable fleets.
The Fleet Management Department in Santa Ana, CA recently announced plans to create and operate an environmentally responsible fleet, focusing primarily on alternative fuel and fuel efficiency. The City’s Green Fleet will be powered by 75 to 80 percent renewable and sustainable energy within the next five years. There are also plans to reduce the size of the fleet 10-15% over the next 1-2 years.
Santa Ana Fleet Management operates more than 900 vehicles, from fire trucks and police cruisers to riding lawn mowers. Over the past few years, Fleet Managers have added several natural-gas, hybrid and electric vehicles to its fleet, and brought in five hydrogen vehicles and fueling stations. Currently, five percent of the City’s 900 vehicles operate on alternative fuels.
The supervisor of Wallkill, NY recently decided to add a GPS fleet tracking system to each and every city-owned vehicle. City supervisor, John Ward, says he hopes many other municipalities will embrace GPS fleet tracking technology because it can help the city save money, become more efficient and can help police to patrol the town more effectively.
Mr. Ward decided to add a GPS fleet tracking system to Walkhill’s entire fleet of 93 vehicles. The town paid $27,000 for the tracking systems. The city expects the tracking systems to pay for themselves within a year.
The new fleet tracking system will allow department heads to monitor routes, idling time, how fast vehicles are traveling and when they are ready for routine maintenance. “Department heads know where their trucks and cars are, what they are doing and where they are going,” said said Glemming. “The data is secure – no one can change it. It will help the municipality create routing efficiency, which saves wear and tear on vehicles as well as expenditures for fuel, which is skyrocketing.” In addition to department heads, the supervisor and town board have access to the tracking data.
Well known soccer star Jaba Mahlangu aka “Pule” was busted this weekend in a stolen car. After the vehicle was reported stolen,vehicle tracking company Netstar was immediately notified. The NetStar vehicle tracking system was able to help police find and recover the stolen vehicle. The suspects apparently had no idea the car was equipped with a GPS tracking system.
The stolen vehicle was not easy for police to recover. The driver of the vehicle was trying to lose the police and drove at very high speeds in an attempt to get away. Using the GPS signal from the vehicle tracking system along with the help of an overhead flight squad, law enforcement finally was able to catch the driver and recover the stolen car.
The price of diesel fuel began to decline across the nation this week, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the AAA Fuel Gauge Report. The price of a gallon of diesel gas is currently $4.13, a two cent decrease from one week ago. One week ago diesel gas was averaging 4.16 a gallon. However, diesel fuel prices are still up by two cents from one month ago, when it was averaging $4.11 a gallon.
Although the decline in diesel prices aren’t huge, it may be the start of a declining trend. Many businesses and consumer have been hoping for relief at the pumps for months now.
Nationally, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas is currently $3.98. One week ago, prices were the same. One month ago, gas prices were 18 cents less, averaging $3.80 per gallon, according to AAA. However, many cities and states have seen gas prices fluctuating. Some cities have broken local records for all-time high prices, while other cities have seen slight decreases in prices at the pump.
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