California Surveyors Forums

Please take a moment to click on the following web link and complete the survey relating to the LightSquared issue. Deadline for response - August 26th

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WF2W5QB

In an effort to accurately assess potential impacts, Stakemill and the FDOT is assisting AASHTO in compiling data for FHWA use in determining what equipment could be affected and the potential level of impact to that equipment so that they can respond to the NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration). The focus of this inventory is on timing and precision receivers. To obtain and compile User data FDOT has created a web based survey for use by any DOT internal Offices, consultants, business partners and other state Transportation entities.

Count me as completed.

Can you tell us how this inventory of GPS equipment will be used?

I asked the same question via email and received the info that NSPS sent to the Central Office...

Stakemill and the Florida Department of Transportation is sending you this correspondence to solicit technical information. You have been identified as a potential user of both GIS mapping and precision GPS on jobs such as statewide federally funded transportation projects. We do this through a request to us from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Background: A company called LightSquared has purchased a satellite provider and their licenses, and proposes to install 40,000+ high-powered transmission towers across the country in an effort to "bring Broadband to rural and underserved areas." The possibility of signals from these towers interfering with GPS operations is being investigated, especially that of "precision" GPS units, which are used throughout the transportation industry in such applications as surveying, operating machine-controlled equipment, asset tracking systems, and precision timing. At issue are the potential impacts of LightSquared's proposal on how each state conducts its surveying, construction, and other operations.

Team Action: In an effort to accurately assess potential impacts, Stakemill and the FDOT is assisting AASHTO in compiling data for FHWA use in determining what equipment could be affected and the potential level of impact to that equipment so that they can respond to the NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration). The focus of this inventory is on timing and precision receivers. To obtain and compile User data FDOT has created a web based survey for use by any DOT internal Offices, consultants, business partners and other state Transportation entities.

Action Requested of You: If this issue impacts your states transportation business area, please click on the following web link and complete the Survey.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WF2W5QB

Please note the survey website restricts survey completion to a single survey from a unique IP (computer) address. If you are completing the survey for a firm with multiple offices you must compile the information into a single survey or execute multiple surveys from different PC's. The survey is segmented by professional discipline / business areas to allow you to input all company information in a single survey. Please complete all survey segments applicable to your company / entity.

You may receive multiple copies of this request. To assure outreach to the full GIS GPS user Audience, multiple mail lists and publication sources have been utilized. Please disregard duplicate requests. If you have an affected business partner who has not received this request please forward them this communication.

Timeline for Completion of the Survey: Please complete the Survey by Close of Business on Friday, August 26, 2011.

Problems or Questions Concerning Completion of the Survey: If you have a problem or question when completing the Survey please remain on line at the Survey web page and call one of the following numbers.

I guess Dish Network is also pursuing a broadband 4G LTE network, but at a frequency that does not affect GPS. Also, a lot of committee findings and reports can be found at:

http://www.pnt.gov/interference/lightsquared/#NPEF

Please read LightSquared's Recommendations. I believe the lower 10 MHz has not been tested, but is believed to interfere with GPS as well.

Also, I am looking for the PowerPoint from the CGSIC in which the US DoT gives a cost breakdown of GPS's degredation. I believe it was roughly $100 billion and does not include any other entities but Federal.

Hearing the Federal Government employees discuss this issue was promising, but not completely reassuring that GPS will be spared from LightSquared.