
When GPS was being developed in 1972, it was first tested on the ground using ground based pseudo-satellites. In 1978 the first GPS satellite was launched into space. Initially this technology was developed by the government for military use only. In 1983, after the death of over 200 people, the United States government changed their view, and decided that GPS would be available to civilians also. The Soviet Union shot down an airplane because it had entered into private airspace. This was the result of a mistake in navigation, and the unfortunate even that is responsible for civilian access to GPS today. Civilian access gave rise to GPS fleet management software that has improved efficiency and profits for many transportation companies. The duel use of GPS by the military and civilians was made official in 1995 by Bill Clinton.
GPS is still upgraded and enhanced by the United States government, with political figures like Bill Clinton, George Bush and Al Gore all passing policies to further improve the technology. Satellites have been improved and replaced with enhanced accuracy. The earliest satellite that is still in operation today was launched in 1990. In 1998 GPS was inducted into the Space Foundation Space Technology Hall of Fame. In 2004 GPS was first successfully tested on a mobile phone, giving people instant navigation in an extremely portable format.
GPS has become increasing popular among civilians in the late 90's and early 2000. GPS is now available for personal vehicles, on phones and on computers. GPS technology is used by civilians to synchronize clocks, map making, navigation, aircraft tracking, surveying, recreation and fleet tracking. Businesses are taking advantage of this GPS fleet tracking technology as well. GPS technology is used heavily today in the transportation industry. Fleet tracking is used to improve productivity and cut costs. GPS fleet tracking can be applied to logistics, multi-drop delivery and haulage. Fleet tracking can scale to fit the needs of any business, large or small. Manual tracking was the method used previous to GPS technology. Drivers would use map books to find warehouses, and fill in log books to track the loads they had hauled. With fleet tracking firms can more accurately manage the location and operation of their fleet.
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