News | Peachtree City

Would GPS be handy for cart paths?

Fri, 08/15/2008 - 3:41pm
By: John Munford

Peachtree City officials are trying to gauge if residents would like to use their global positioning system device to navigate the cart path system.

Such a system won’t be pinpoint accurate due to trees interfering with satellite signals, but an informal test last year showed such a service can help locate landmarks on the path system, said city information technology system administrator Matt Robinson.

Making GPS information available for the cart path system is challenging on several fronts, Robinson explained. There are so many types and brands of GPS devices on the market, and each “loads” information differently, he said.

Because the data would be directly loaded to each device, GPS owners will have to figure out how to do that on their own, as city staff won’t be able to provide support, Robinson said. The trial run last year took a resident searching through several online message boards before it was found how to download the data to the GPS unit, he noted.

One part that’s easy is getting all the raw data to begin with, as the city every couple of years surveys the cart path to make sure the printed maps offered at City Hall are as accurate as they can be, Robinson said.

Should there be enough interest in creating GPS maps for the cart path, the city will need to test the procedure out on different types of GPS units before rolling out the service for individual brands of devices.

The city sent out a brief email survey on possible GPS service for golf carts to all residents who’ve signed up for an electronic copy of the city’s monthly UPDATE newsletter. Results will help officials determine if the project is worth proceeding.

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GPS
Mrtigger's picture
Submitted by Mrtigger on Sat, 09/20/2008 - 10:09am.

I think GPS on cart paths would be great. Most phones, PDAs and navigation units used in cars,have this already. It would lead to cart paths being shown on navigation units like streets are now. It would be useful for teaching teens (and adults) navigation with maps and GPS. Most importantly, use in case of emergency, 911 centers have that capibility.


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What?!?
Submitted by FCguy on Tue, 08/19/2008 - 10:17pm.

Why be afraid of getting lost? Its half the fun (as some have pointed out). You cant ever really be THAT lost anyway. I agree that sinage would be a much better idea. I like some of the nice wood ones that I remember. If you cant use a map to navigate the paths your probably dont need to be on the road either.

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What?
Submitted by Dondol on Sun, 08/17/2008 - 11:58am.

Quit wanting everything handed to you. Get out and spend the afternoon with your wife and kids and EXPLORE! You all just might find that you had a good time and (drum roll please)you learned something on your own. You know self pride, since of accomplishment, those sort of things that your grandparents talked about but fell on deaf ears.
I tell you this bunch in city hall can find more ways to piss money away that a 16 year old with credit card!

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I love the idea! While
Submitted by fluffybear on Fri, 08/15/2008 - 5:24pm.

I love the idea! While some of us have become familiar with the path system in Peachtree City, I know of several instances that having the path system in our GPS would have come in handy.
My folks are visiting from California for a few weeks and are scared of getting lost but had the path system been in their GPS, I doubt we would have ever seen them as they just love the whole idea of the path system.

This is one add one that I would be willing to pay for.

BTW, if anyone knows how I can get a hold of the GPS Path Data the city was testing last year as I would really like to add it to my system.

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Getting lost is half the fun
Submitted by Spyglass on Sat, 08/16/2008 - 11:49am.

for my Wife and I.

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Lame idea.
ManofGreatLogic's picture
Submitted by ManofGreatLogic on Fri, 08/15/2008 - 6:04pm.

So, in this current economy, and with all the cutbacks in the budgets, they're going to study to see if they can get GPS for the golfcart paths?

Is this for real?

The cartpath system already has a positioning system. It's called a map. Your elementary school teachers taught you how to use it.


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Oh ManofGreatLogic:
carbonunit52's picture
Submitted by carbonunit52 on Sat, 08/16/2008 - 9:02am.

Maps are only useful if you know where you are. To facilitate the use of maps, how about more signage and, I really like this idea because it is mine, posts at the intersections that have the points of the compass on the top of them (short posts for readability of course, not ones designed by an architect)?

"Whatever you practice is what you will be good at".


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