GPS Location Data: Best GPS Location Datasets & Databases

What is GPS Location Data?

GPS location data is a set of coordinates and time information collected by devices like smartphones. It involves geostationary satellites orbiting Earth and ground stations that control the data.

How is GPS Location Data collected?

GPS, or Global Positioning System, uses over 30 satellites orbiting Earth to determine a device’s location. Each satellite uses radio waves to communicate with others to pinpoint a precise location by measuring the time it takes for the signal to reach the device.

The satellite data is transmitted via radio signals to ground devices that receive information from three or more satellites and convert it into visual information.

What is the GPS Location Data format?

GPS location data comes as coordinates, consisting of latitude and longitude values, typically shown as (xx.xxx, xx.xxx). All location data, including GPS data, share latitude and longitude, with other attributes varying by data source.

• Latitude indicates how far north or south you are from the equator (0 degrees)
• Longitude indicates how far east or west you are from the Greenwich meridian (0 degrees)
• Horizontal indicates how precise the geographical position is by showing the degree of horizontal error.

What is an example of GPS Location Data?

Coordinates can be written in two ways:

• Degrees, minutes, and seconds: a format that includes letters and symbols.
• Decimal degrees: a simpler, numeric-only format.

For example, the coordinates for the Statue of Liberty are:

• Degrees, minutes, and seconds: N40° 41.3709’, W074° 2.7394’
• Decimal degrees: 40.689515, -74.044903

How is GPS Location Data used?

GPS location data are crucial for various use cases.

Navigation Systems

GPS location data helps navigation systems provide location information, calculate efficient routes, and offer accurate directions.

Transport and Logistics

GPS location data is crucial for tracking goods, optimizing routes, and ensuring timely deliveries, reducing transportation costs.

Urban Planning

Urban planners use GPS location data to improve public transport, design better roads, and create efficient urban spaces by analyzing spatial patterns.

Safety and Security

GPS location data is used to protect people and assets, aiding law enforcement in tracking criminals and locating people in emergencies.

Retail & Marketing

Retailers use GPS location data to measure foot traffic, analyze consumer behavior, and offer personalized ads, integrating location info into their databases.

Real Estate

Real estate companies use GPS location data to make investment decisions, understand foot traffic trends, and identify emerging markets.

Software

Software platforms use GPS location data to enhance their products, including ad tech, real estate software, insurance quotes, and predictive AI tools.

How to work with GPS Datasets

Working with GPS datasets can be summarized in three phases:

1. Data Preparation

The first step involves cleaning the data, ensuring the input data are correct and ready for analysis. This might include handling data errors, filtering out anomalies, and converting data to the appropriate format.

2. GPS Data Analysis

Once the data are prepared, analysis can provide insights into movement patterns, peak visit times, popular routes, and consumer behavior. Geospatial analysis tools and techniques, such as clustering and spatial modeling, are used here.

3. Spatial Data Visualization

Communicating insights derived from GPS data often requires visualizations. Maps, heatmaps, and 3D visualizations can bring patterns to life and make complex information easily digestible.

How can a user assess the quality of GPS Location Data?

The best GPS location data providers will have certifications demonstrating that their data are of high quality and will be able to explain the verification procedures they perform to ensure data accuracy. They regularly update their datasets and should have good customer reviews. Finally, request a data sample before purchasing from a GPS location data provider to ensure their data meet your company’s quality needs.