report of the action team on global navigation satellite systems (gnss)

• Continuation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United Nations workshops should be encouraged and <strong>the</strong> resultingrecommendations should be implemented. These are seen as very valuable in buildingcapacity and enhancing understanding, as well as providing a network <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals,educators and students.b) Technical Needs• Ionospheric effect, integrity, continuity, availability accuracy. Understanding ionosphericeffects on GNSS applications especially at equatorial areas.• Future developments <strong>of</strong> GPS/GALILEO and various augmentations – how developingcountries should approach <strong>the</strong> issue. Difficulties to follow and understand plans andtechnical impact. Clear and regular communication with developing countries so that <strong>the</strong>yhave an opportunity to assess <strong>the</strong> likely impact <strong>of</strong> future developments <strong>of</strong> GPS/GALILEOand various augmentations.• Need to provide technical support from infrastructure and services related to navigation.c) Resources and Financial Needs• The required instrumentation, ancillary equipment, computer and s<strong>of</strong>tware are still costlyfor developing countries given <strong>the</strong>ir economic levels, in spite <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> decline in costs ingeneral. It is difficult to obtain resources to cover maintenance and recurrent costs.• The international committee on GNSS should lead <strong>the</strong> sourcing <strong>of</strong> fund to help reducecost <strong>of</strong> implementing GNSS-related projects.d) Training and Education Needs• Development <strong>of</strong> advanced training programs by <strong>the</strong> United Nations to cover variousapplications, such as civil aviation, precision measurements and remote sensing, and tocover all aspects, including observations, analysis and implementation.• Education, training, and access to qualified people and information. Scarce availability <strong>of</strong>experts, new students, university or o<strong>the</strong>r training programs. Lack <strong>of</strong> experts in <strong>the</strong>various areas noted above. Networking with GNSS experts in o<strong>the</strong>r fields is also difficult.Language books (GNSS in Spanish, etc.).e) Priorities in ApplicationRegional Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), NationalSDI• The use <strong>of</strong> GNSS positional information was stressed in each region as <strong>the</strong> method forreferencing SDI and GIS, which are critical elements <strong>of</strong> any national cartographicinfrastructure.80