Abstract

Paper
GPS Accuracy in Urban Environments Using Post-Processed CORS Data
Track: Technology
Authors: Knute Berstis, Aaron Jensen, Gerald Mader

The U.S. Census Bureau used wireless Handheld Computers (HHC) with WAAS enabled GPS capability for the 2010 Census. The NGS worked with the Census Bureau to provide post-processing software for improving residential address coordinates, especially where the WAAS signal was not available due to signal blockage. The Census Bureau processed tens of millions of structure data points, captured during the Address Canvassing phase of the 2010 Census, using NGS post-processing software. Statistics describing the results are presented for this data set as well as a comparison with several models estimating GPS accuracy in an urban environment. An analysis of the effects of surface features on the estimated accuracy of post-processed structure points in the 2010 Address Canvassing using smaller data subsets is also presented. Several approaches are also presented for a more robust solution in future urban and partially obstructed environment applications.