An autonomous navigational system using GPS and computer vision for futuristic road traffic

Navigational service is one of the most essential dependency towards any transport system and at present, there are various revolutionary approaches that has contributed towards its improvement. This paper has reviewed the global positioning system (GPS) and computer vision based navigational system and found that there is a large gap between the actual demand of navigation and what currently exists. Therefore, the proposed study discusses about a novel framework of an autonomous navigation system that uses GPS as well as computer vision considering the case study of futuristic road traffic system. An analytical model is built up where the geo-referenced data from GPS is integrated with the signals captured from the visual sensors are considered to implement this concept. The simulated outcome of the study shows that proposed study offers enhanced accuracy as well as faster processing in contrast to existing approaches.

Dynamic Selection Techniques for Detecting GPS Spoofing Attacks on UAVs

Unmanned aerial vehicles are prone to several cyber-attacks, including Global Positioning System spoofing. Several techniques have been proposed for detecting such attacks. However, the recurrence and frequent Global Positioning System spoofing incidents show a need for effective security solutions to protect unmanned aerial vehicles. In this paper, we propose two dynamic selection techniques, Metric Optimized Dynamic selector and Weighted Metric Optimized Dynamic selector, which identify the most effective classifier for the detection of such attacks. We develop a one-stage ensemble feature selection method to identify and discard the correlated and low importance features from the dataset. We implement the proposed techniques using ten machine-learning models and compare their performance in terms of four evaluation metrics: accuracy, probability of detection, probability of false alarm, probability of misdetection, and processing time. The proposed techniques dynamically choose the classifier with the best results for detecting attacks. The results indicate that the proposed dynamic techniques outperform the existing ensemble models with an accuracy of 99.6%, a probability of detection of 98.9%, a probability of false alarm of 1.56%, a probability of misdetection of 1.09%, and a processing time of 1.24 s.

Roles of Geospatial Technologies in Hydrographic Practice

Any seafarer or mariner that uses the sea knows that navigation without correct charts is impossible and hazardous because nautical charts are the most essential and indispensable tools for vessels to sail safely at sea. For vessels to safely sail at sea, the seas and the oceans ought to be charted and this falls within the domain of hydrography. However, the seas cannot be charted effectively in the absence of the deployment of human resources and adequate tools like satellite and aerial imagery, survey boats and other equipment that will facilitate the hydrographic operations. The acquisition of data and information about the sea depths, nature of sea bed, waterways, navigational hazards and navigational objects among others, basically falls within the sphere of hydrography which is primarily known as survey at sea. The paper offers a review of geospatial technologies in hydrographic practice for enhanced safety of navigation at sea. The review is important to both the mariners, shipping industry and the government in order to explore the potentials provided by Geographic Information System, Remote Sensing, cloud GIS, big data GIS and Global Positioning System to enhance the practice of hydrography. The data and materials used for the review were obtained from literature in the internet and other published works. The paper looked at hydrography as a profession, roles of geospatial technologies in hydrographic practice, benefits of hydrography to national development and finally, the weaknesses of geospatial technologies in hydrographic practice were equally examined.

PERFORMANCE OF SITE VELOCITY PREDICTION IN SUNDALAND

Global Positioning System (GPS) technique has been extensively implemented in determination of crustal deformation globally. With the ability of providing solution up to milimeter (mm) level, this technique has proven to provide a precise estimate of site velocity that represents the actual motion of tectonic plate over a period. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the site velocity estimation from GPS-derived daily position of station, respective to the global plate motion model and predicted site velocity via Least-Squares Collocation (LSC) method within the tectonically active region of Sundaland. The findings have indicated that stations with precise velocity estimates were consistent with global plate model and predicted velocity, with velocity residuals of 5 mm – 10 mm. However, stations that were severely impacted by continuous earthquake events such as in Sumatra were believed to be induced by the impact with consistently large velocity residuals up to 37 mm. Following the outcomes, this study has provided an insight on the post-seismic decay period plate motion which are induced by continuous tectonic activities respective to modelled plate motion.

PERFORMANCE OF BURSA-WOLF MODEL FOR DEFORMING REGION: CASE STUDY IN MALAYSIA

Bursa-Wolf model is a common mathematical approach for coordinate transformation practice between two reference frames. For the case of deforming region, the existing reference frame has been experiencing a non-linear shifting over the time due to co-seismic and post seismic occurrences. Imprecise coordinate in the reference frame definition could degrading critical positioning, surveying, and navigation activities. This require a new realization of reference frame and the coordinate transformation linkage is suggested to be developed in relating the new and existing reference frame. This study provides performance of Bursa-Wolf model as coordinate transformation approach for a deforming region that is experiencing non-linear shifting due to the co-seismic and post-seismic events. The Bursa-Wolf were generated from 32 dependent Global Positioning System (GPS) Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) in Malaysia meanwhile another 20 independent neighbouring stations were utilized for assessment purposes. Seven parameters (7p) of Bursa-Wolf were estimated with RMS at ±4.5mm, ±9.2mm and ±2.1mm respectively. The independent stations were classified as internal and external assessment station and the root mean square (RMS) were found at less than 10mm. The internal station has depicted a better RMS in each component which are ±5.1mm, ±6.5mm and ±1.5mm respectively. Meanwhile for external stations RMS in each component are ±6.1mm, ±8.7mm and ±3.5mm respectively. The result shows that Bursa-Wolf model is sufficient to be used as coordinate transformation approach for deforming region.

The content and load of preseason field-based training in a championship-winning professional rugby league team: A case study

This study reports on the content and periodisation of the preseason field-based training for a professional rugby league team. Thirty professional male rugby league players (26 ± 5 years, 180.9 ± 6.5 cm, 94 ± 9 kg) completed an 8-week preseason. Global positioning system devices and heart rate were used to monitor physical and physiological responses of different field-based training components (speed, conditioning, rugby skill and game-based training). Rugby skill training contributed the most to the total distance covered, conditioning was the greatest contributor to high-speed running (>15 km/h) and game-based training provided the greatest high metabolic distance (>20 W/kg) and overall external load. Game-based training provided the greatest time with heart rate ≥80% estimated maximum. The weekly preseason cycle had lower loads on Monday and Thursday whereas Tuesday and Friday produced the highest loads. The preseason described herein adopted a progressive overload comprising a weekly undulating cycle. This study emphasises how skill and games-based training contributes significantly to the overall load of a professional rugby league team's preseason with more traditional conditioning promoting high-speed running load and high metabolic load.

Effects of consecutive days of matchplay on maximal hip abductor and adductor strength in female field hockey players

Background The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two competitive field hockey matches, played on consecutive days, on maximal isometric hip adductor and abductor strength, wellness and fatigue. Methods Fourteen professional female field hockey players (age: 20.4 ± 5.4 years; body mass: 60.7 ± 7.2 kg; height: 167.0 ± 1.0 cm) volunteered to participate in this investigation. Maximal isometric hip adductor and abductor strength were obtained before (pre-match 1) and after the first match (post-match 1), after the second match (post-match 2), and 48 h after the second match. Locomotion patterns during the matches were obtained with portable Global Positioning System (GPS) and perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed after each match. In addition, Wellness Questionnaire (5-WQ) and the Total Quality Recovery Scale (TQR) were employed before the matches and 48 h after the second match. Results For the non-dominant limb, the maximal isometric hip adductor and abductor strength were lower after post-match 2 when compared to pre-match 1 (p = 0.011). Hip abductor strength in the non-dominant limb remained reduced 48 h after post-match 2 (p < 0.001). There were no differences in the total distance covered when comparing match 1 and match 2. Players reported more acute fatigue (5-WQ, p = 0.009) and increased muscle soreness on pre-match 2 compared to pre-match 1 (p = 0.015), while fatigue returned to pre-competition levels 48 h after post-match 2 (p = 0.027). No changes were observed in the TQR. Conclusion The assessment of maximal adductor and abductor strength before and after competitive matches, in addition to evaluating self-perceived fatigue by a wellness questionnaire can help to identify field hockey players with excessive fatigue responses during tournaments with a congested match program.

Application of GIS to assess the accessibility of urban streets in Baghdad city

Accessibility has an important impact on shaping human activity patterns on all of the spatial scales. This study presented an evaluation of accessibility levels with private to commercial centers for three selected routes in Baghdad city. The study involved more than 45 days transport survey for private vehicles in Baghdad city using Global Positioning System (GPS) probe for recording indicators of traffic performance. Gravity model was used to measure accessibility index as an implementation of GIS-based model by using link geography and the spatial boundary of analysis in order to build route networks at three routes in Baghdad City, Bayaa intersection - Bab Al-Muatham intersection (Route 1), Bayaa intersection - Bab Al-Muatham intersection (Route 2) and 14 Ramadan Street - Bab Al-Muatham intersection (Route 3). It was found that Route 1 has the high accessibility index with 0.67 in compare with Route 2 and 3 (0.58 and 0.59), respectively. The reason that Route 1 had the highest accessibility index due to the high access point and low traffic volume as compared with the other two routes.

Accuracy Assessment for points coordinates surveyed using low-cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Global Positioning System with 3Dsurvey and 3DF Zephyr software

Ground Control Points GCPs are the only way to obtain accurate positions in aerial surveys. At least three points should be utilized, and the model will get increasingly accurate in X, Y, and Z coordinates as the number rises. The accuracy of the 3D model created from aerial photography is also affected by the arrangement of GCPs. The goal of this research is to determine the optimal number and arrangement of GCPs in order to obtain the lowest possible error in point positioning. A conventional UAV called DJI Mavic 2 pro was used to photograph one and a half square kilometer site at an elevation equal to hundred meters from earth’s surface with nadir camera configuration. GSD (ground sampling distance) of 2.3 centimeters was used to collect 1515 pictures. 62 GCPs were observed in PPK (Post Processing kinematic) method using a DGPS (differential global positioning system) receiver GS 15 from Leica. The study area was split into two areas, one with a straight arrangement of GCPs and the other with a diagonal arrangement of GCPs. The pictures were processed using 3Dsurvey and 3DF Zephyr software utilizing a full bundle adjustment procedure with increasing GCPs number beginning with three GCPs and ending with twenty-six GCPs for both arrangement layout, with the other points serving as check points for the model’s accuracy at each attempt. The check point coordinates obtained were compared to the DGPS coordinates. The result indicates the optimal GCP number needed for the most accurate position and spread layout. That the minimum gap between adjacent GCPs ought to be not over than 100 meters and spread homogenously.