I got this email from FDOT. They are taking a GPS user poll to see what equipment is used with the FDOT network. If you use the FDOT CORS/RTK network, please participate.
To: Transportation GPS Users
From: Scott Harris for John Krause, PSM - State Surveyor, Florida Department of Transportation
The Florida Department of Transportation is sending you this correspondence to solicit technical information. You have been identified as a potential user of precision GPS on statewide federally funded transportation projects. We do this through a request to us from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Background: A company called LightSquared has purchased a satellite provider and their licenses, and proposes to install 40,000+ high-powered transmission towers across the country in an effort to “bring Broadband to rural and underserved areas.” The possibility of signals from these towers interfering with GPS operations is being investigated, especially that of “precision” GPS units, which are used throughout the transportation industry in such applications as surveying, operating machine-controlled equipment, asset tracking systems, and precision timing. At issue are the potential impacts of LightSquared’s proposal on how each state conducts its surveying, construction, and other operations.
FDOT Action: In an effort to accurately assess potential impacts, FDOT is assisting AASHTO in compiling data for FHWA use in determining what equipment could be affected and the potential level of impact to that equipment so that they can respond to the NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration). The focus of this inventory is on timing and precision receivers. To obtain and compile User data FDOT has created a web based survey for use by FDOT internal Offices, consultants, business partners and other Florida Transportation entities.
Action Requested of You: If this issue impacts your Florida transportation business area, please click on the following web link and complete the Survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7MHHK7Z
Please note the survey website restricts survey completion to a single survey from a unique IP (computer) address. If you are completing the survey for a firm with multiple offices you must compile the information into a single survey or execute multiple surveys from different PC’s. The survey is segmented by professional discipline / business areas to allow you to input all company information in a single survey. Please complete all survey segments applicable to your company / entity.
You may receive multiple copies of this request. To assure outreach to the full Florida Transportation Audience, multiple mail lists and publication sources have been utilized. Please disregard duplicate requests. If you have an affected business partner who has not received this request please forward them this communication.
Timeline for Completion of the Survey: Please complete the Survey by Close of Business on Friday, August 26, 2011.
Problems or Questions Concerning Completion of the Survey: If you have a problem or question when completing the Survey please remain on line at the Survey web page and call one of the following numbers.
Direct (Area Code 850) 245-1582, 245-1595 or 245-1596.
Toll Free 1-866-374-FDOT (3368) – Extension 1582, 1595 or 1596.
Additional Information on This Issue: Query Keyword “LightSquared + GPS” through your internet search engine for additional information on this issue.
Your timely and accurate response is greatly appreciated and is critical to our states input in a package of information being provided to Federal Authorities on a national level. We have attempted to make the survey form easy and will require minimal time to complete.
Unfortunately, due to the turnaround time to compile the information, and our normal workload, we cannot make comment or educate you on the subject if you are not aware of it. However, there is ample information on the web. FDOT’s current position is to listen to the scientific experts and support our national partners in supplying information. This will aid them in preparing and identifying all potential public and economic impact to our country should the LightSquared product come to market.
I apologize if you have received this multiple times and leaving you a short time frame to have this completed. It is however very important that we have your participation with this critical topic.
Once again, thank you for your time and your participation.
Sincerely,
John Krause, PSM
State Surveyor
Florida Department of Transportation
Surveymonkey????
Poor choice of sitename for a terribly important survey.
Surveymonkey????
> Poor choice of sitename for a terribly important survey.
Your choice when picking a web-survey company to use for something like this usually come down to deciding between SurveyMonkey and Surveytool.
Surveymonkey????
Ha. Didn't catch that.
Surveymonkey????
> Poor choice of sitename for a terribly important survey.
Ah, but those in the know, understand that when someone, anyone, from any industry, or profession across the business world and beyond want to poll a large group of individuals in a free online supported survey, they can and will turn to Surveymonkey.com to get it done. I have used it numerous times through participating in others surveys, or creating my own. In a way, I'm a little honored that surveymonkey has "survey" in its name because it is so large and well known by the masses.
Cheers