GPS to LRM: Integration of Spatial Point Features with Linear Referencing Methods

Global positioning systems (GPS) offer a cost-effective and efficient method to input and update transportation data. The spatial location of objects provided by GPS is easily integrated into geographic information systems (GIS). The storage, manipulation, and analysis of spatial data are also relatively simple in a GIS, since location, expressed in terms of coordinates, has the advantage of universal spatial applicability. However, many data storage and reporting methods at state departments of transportation and other transportation agencies rely on linear referencing methods (LRMs); consequently, GPS data must be able to link with linear referencing.