https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/nres_rpt/53
Date of Award
8-2024
Degree Name
MS in Environmental Sciences and Management
Department
Natural Resources Management
College
College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences
Advisor
Deirdre Sommerlad-Rogers
Advisor 2
Russ White
Advisor Department
Natural Resources Management
Advisor College
College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences
Abstract
ABSTRACT GPS Accuracy of Smartphones for Crowdsourcing Research Derron Dike Utilizing crowdsourcing with smartphones as a method for field data collection can contribute an array of data for scientific studies and land management applications. This study used crowdsourcing to examine smartphone built-in GPS performance for providing location-specific information with potential forestry applications. The usability of smartphones for GPS data collection in forestry studies or other practical applications is dependent on the level of accuracy required for those applications. A Smartphone Accuracy Trial was designed to test the GPS accuracy performance of current smartphones. Participants used the ArcGIS Field Maps application on their smartphone to record the GPS locations of 30 control points. The accuracy of the smartphone GPS receiver positions was defined as horizontal distance between the smartphone GPS location and the ground-truth survey control point location. The accuracy of smartphone GPS appears to improve over time with the inclusion of newer models and dual frequency. At the time of this study, smartphones with single frequency GPS receivers were the most common in use, while dual frequency models were relatively new. The overall average error distance was 10.6 feet. The mean error distance for dual frequency smartphone GPS (10.863 ft.) was about one foot more accurate than for single frequency smartphone GPS (9.499 ft). The best performing models were the iPhone SE 3 at 4.87 feet and the iPhone 15 Pro at 5.10 feet. Studies like this help to update the current state of technologies that are still in progress of improving over time. By knowing the GPS iv accuracy of current smartphones with this crowdsourced method, we can better apply this approach for management and scientific studies. Keywords: Smartphone GPS Accuracy, ArcGIS Field Maps, Dual Frequency, Crowdsourcing, Citizen Science, Data Collection, Forestry, Natural Regeneration
Included in
Agricultural Education Commons, Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Community-Based Learning Commons, Community-Based Research Commons, Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Environmental Studies Commons, Forest Management Commons, Geographic Information Sciences Commons, Nature and Society Relations Commons, Other Forestry and Forest Sciences Commons, Other Plant Sciences Commons, Physical and Environmental Geography Commons, Place and Environment Commons, Science and Technology Studies Commons, Spatial Science Commons