Navigation user requirements and emerging technologies for the Canadian transportation sector
An analysis of the Canadian transportation sector navigation user requirements and related technologies is presented. The sector is divided into three modes, namely the marine, air, and road modes of transportation. The parameters used to characterize navigation user requirements in transportation are defined; these include accuracy, availability, coverage, reliability, and capacity. Navigation requirements for selected classes of users within each of the three modes are presented. The characteristics of current wide area coverage navigation systems available in Canada are reviewed and compared to user requirements. This is followed by a description of selected enabling technologies considered essential for the full realization and widespread and economical use of emerging navigation systems. As current systems cannot meet all requirements, the potential of emerging navigation systems to provide enhanced performance levels in future is assessed. A review of enabling technologies considered important for the full realization and widespread and cost-effective use of the new systems is presented. Two major classes of emerging systems are then described, namely, autonomous systems such as inertial navigation systems and satellite-based radio-frequency systems such as global positioning systems. An analysis of the suitability of these systems in transportation is then presented. Possible developments required for the emerging navigation systems to be used in an optimal manner in the Canadian transportation sector are outlined in the conclusions. Key words: transportation, assessment, trends, navigation, positioning, location, guidance.