The future of RTK GPS/GLONASS positioning in the urban canyon

Abstract Built-up city ‘urban canyons’ offer an environment which challenges the physical limitations of modem real-time GPS positioning systems and, yet, is perhaps the one environment where the successful application of GPS technology could benefit most users. With a view to the next generation of Real Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning systems, this paper highlights the limitations imposed on current RTK systems operating in the urban canyon using GPS visibility trials conducted in the urban canyon of the Perth Central Business District (CBD). Furthermore, following the recent release of receivers capable of integrating the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Russian equivalent, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), the advantages of integration of both GPS and GLONASS systems are demonstrated using GLONASS visibility simulations at selected points in the Perth CBD.