On March 26, 2002, the transport ministers of the European Union countries reached an agreement on the creation of the GALILEO system.
The joint initiative of the European Commission – EC and the European Space Agency – ESA was defined for the period up to 2005, with the aim of implementing the development phase of the satellite object positioning system project and creating a concept for the implementation phases – deployment and operation of the GALILEO system. After several years of overcoming resistance from the American lobby centered around the GPS (Global Positioning System) project, a decision was made to create a competitive, fully European solution in the field of satellite object location systems, with a strong emphasis on developing civilian applications for available services. Particularly important in this case is the support for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
Knowledge obtained through advanced tracking and information systems is of key importance for the effective implementation of goods transport and service provision. Currently, the technological level of the devices used allows for obtaining data on the position of the means of transport with an accuracy of up to a few meters. The location and set of vehicle movement parameters constitute an ideal database for creating information services dependent on the current geographical position of the GPS/GALILEO system receiver mounted on the vehicle.
In this way, it is possible to implement automatic supervision over a shipping company’s vehicle fleet and/or provide support from services informing about commercial and tourist facilities (hotels, banks, monuments, gas stations, etc.).
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” 2002/6.