Informatisation of transport process using GPS navigation system

Nowadays, internal business processes are one of the crucial factors of firms’ competitive advantage achievement, which is becoming increasingly important, not only on local but also on global markets. Firms’ performance improvement depends to a large extent on its flexibility, adjustability and especially ability to manage internal business processes. Hence, use of information technology is among the fundamental elements of business process change, which not only improve competitiveness but also assure long term development and growth of the firm. For all these reasons, the main purpose of this article is firstly to establish that use of information technology is feasible in all industries, explain what possible obstacles for successful informatisation are, and which are major advantages after its implementation. Secondly, within theoretical aspect we present broaden view of informatisation in logistics, whilst practical example illustrates successful informatisation of transport process with adoption of GPS (Global Positioning System) in a transport firm. Furthermore, in this article we are also introducing a case study of three transport firms describing process flow before and after implementation identifying enhanced information quality, service quality and communication as a foremost advantages and achievements after informatisatio

Investigating context-aware clues to assist navigation for visually impaired people

It is estimated that 7.4 million people in Europe are visually impaired [1]. Limitations of traditional mobility aids (i.e. white canes and guide dogs) coupled with a proliferation of context-aware technologies (e.g. Electronic Travel Aids, Global Positioning Systems and Geographical Information Systems), have stimulated research and development into navigational systems for the visually impaired. However, current research appears very technology focused, which has led to an insufficient appreciation of Human Computer Interaction, in particular task/requirements analysis and notions of contextual interactions. The study reported here involved a smallscale investigation into how visually impaired people interact with their environmental context during micro-navigation (through immediate environment) and/or macro-navigation (through distant environment) on foot. The purpose was to demonstrate the heterogeneous nature of visually impaired people in interaction with their environmental context. Results from a previous study involving sighted participants were used for comparison. Results revealed that when describing a route, visually impaired people vary in their use of different types of navigation clues - both as a group, when compared with sighted participants, and as individuals. Usability implications and areas for further work are identified and discussed

Android Based Car Alert System in Alerting Incoming Sharp Corner and Updating Emergency Places via GPS Assistance

Six percent of all deaths in this country are caused by road accident fatalities. This is an alarming fact despite our authorities bragging about the decreased road accident deaths over the past few years and the safety standard of cars has improved dramatically. Global Positioning System (GPS) to be one of the alternatives that could help in decreasing the accidents. Popular GPS system for navigation like Waze, PapaGo implemented some of the features which give warning if the car exceeding speed limit in long straight road. Hence, these existing systems are provide alternatives to reduce the percentage of car accident by giving alert to slow down the car which can prevent the drivers over speed that lead to accidents. To minimize the accidents rate in this country, this project will develop a GPS application which provides “buzz” sound as alertness to tell the drivers that there are dangerous corner ahead. This feature will also come out with the adaptable user-friendliness features according to the context surrounding the drivers in giving the suggestions to the closest emergency places by only refresh the list of the place rather than type the name of the places

Disability, Locative Media, and Complex Ubiquity

The current phase of network societies has generated an intensification of pervasive, ubiquitous digital technologies and cultures of uses, with emergent, complex social functions, and politics. In this chapter, we explore a fascinating, instructive example of the actualization of such ubiquity-effects — the case of locative media technologies designed for and by people with disabilities. In the meeting of disability and locative media technology, we find an apposite, challenging example of ubiquity — its associated, emergent social practices, what their cultural implications are, and how design makes sense of this. We discuss these dynamics of complex ubiquity and disability through two case studies: way-finding locative technology, smartphones and apps; and Google Glass.Australian Research Counci

Developing GPS river flow tracers (GRiFTers) to investigate large scale river flow phenomena

Existing flow measurement methods in natural gravel rivers are largely based on a series of point measurements detached from the dynamic nature of river flow. Traditional measurement methods are limited in many environments and locations due to an inability to access directly the channel; this situation is further complicated at high discharges where entry into the channel becomes impossible. The inadequacy of currently utilised flow measurement methods is highlighted in the study of riffle-pool sequences where limited data has produced gaps in the understanding of these fundamentally important bedform structures. Within the study of riffle-pool sequences the most prominent debates concern the precise means of sequence development and maintenance, the existence / operation of the velocity reversal hypothesis and the spatial compositions and periodicity of these quasi-regular bedform features.The expanding usage of remote sensor monitoring techniques, the incorporation of GPS receivers into drifters to provide improved positioning, and the adaptation of drifters for use in the surf zone and in estuaries and lakes have combined to highlight the potential of producing a GPS river flow tracer (GRiFTer). The development of a GRiFTer suitable for deployment in a natural gravel bed river system is described whilst the logistics of performing a field based GRiFTer investigation, data acquisition and analysis methods and the achievable accuracy of the approach are also considered.The development of a GPS River Flow Tracer provides an innovative approach to the acquisition of surface velocity measurements through the development of a series of GRiFTer based analysis tools and techniques. The suite of tools developed to date includes; the ability to measure a single primary flowline through a reach, a means of independently measuring the effective width of channel flow, the identification of low velocity zones (and the direction of flow within these areas), three different methods for the measurement of surface flow velocity (primary flowline, cross-sectional averaged and reach scale) and a means of defining riffles and pools from the relationship between depth and surface flow velocities.The study ultimately concludes with a conceptual model for the development and maintenance of riffle-pool sequences based on an adaptation of the flow convergence routing hypothesis

Emergency Button Application - Android Systems

The investigation of emergency situations is a complex field of study which involves different perspectives. Individual‘s and public‘s safety is a very important issue, the established emergency response system is the main core of resolving these emergency situations, we are already familiar with the normal emergency reporting system like calling 911 or using emergency phones, But this project aims to create an application that can assist users in emergency situations and provide users with instant details of their location to send to family, friends, or authorities in panic & emergency situations, another option other than public emergency phone systems and other forms of reporting in emergency situations for an easier and friendlier approach, thus improving public safety. The methodology used to complete this application is agile software development methodology which is based on iterative & incremental development that is rapid & flexible. The tools for this project include Eclipse Indigo which is a popular platform to develop Android Applications with the aid of a variety of software tools in design and user friendly software development such as Android ADT tools. In conclusion, the application‘s is successfully developed and met its main objective which is to help users broadcast their message in an emergency situation whenever they need help and can‘t easily get it or find it but with today‘s world mobile software development, public safety shall be more personalized