Smartphone GPS accuracy study in an urban environment

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 14; no. 7; p. e0219890
• Main Authors: Merry, Krista, Bettinger, Pete
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 18.07.2019; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Accuracy; Accuracy and precision; Aerial photography; Biology and Life Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences; Data collection; Earth Sciences; Ecology and Environmental Sciences; Engineering and Technology; Environment; Forestry; Geographic Information Systems; Global positioning systems; GPS; GPS receivers; Horizontal orientation; Humans; Mapping; Mobile applications; Physical Sciences; Position errors; Satellite navigation systems; Seasons; Smart phones; Smartphone; Smartphones; Testing; Time of use; Urban environments; Urban Renewal; Wi-Fi; United States; United States > US
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219890

An iPhone 6 using the Avenza software for capturing horizontal positions was employed to understand relative positional accuracy in an urban environment, during two seasons of the year, two times of day, and two perceived WiFi usage periods. On average, time of year did not seem to influence the average error observed in horizontal positions when GPS-only (no WiFi) capability was enabled, nor when WiFi was enabled. Observations of average horizontal position error only seemed to improve with time of day (afternoon) during the leaf-off season. During each season and during each time of day, horizontal position error seemed to improve in general during perceived high WiFi usage periods (when more people were present). Overall average horizontal position accuracy of the iPhone 6 (7-13 m) is consistent with the general accuracy levels observed of recreation-grade GPS receivers in potential high multi-path environments.