ABOUT GPS: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in very precise orbits and transmit signal information to earth. GPS receivers take this information and use a combination of signals to calculate the user's exact location. Essentially, the GPS receiver compares the time a signal was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. The time difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite is. Now, with distance measurements from a few more satellites, the receiver can determine the user's position and display it on the unit's electronic map.
BICYCLES AS TRANSPORTATION: Commuting by bicycle has many potential benefits over driving a car. It burns calories (a traditional human-powered bike can help you burn about 200 calories in 30 minutes). Several bicycles can fit inside the parking space of one car. Bicycles typically take less money to maintain than cars, and cause less wear on roads. The environmental impact is obviously lower and short trips can often take less time for cyclists, who are unlikely to be stopped in bumper to bumper traffic. Some people would even say it's fun
The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society contributed to the information contained in the TV portion of this report.