Sustainable Governance of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) Infrastructure

Abstract

Acquiring a precise position on the earth is an essential factor in many activities today and will be a prerequisite for future activities. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) network or GNSS CORS is an infrastructure that plays a crucial role in precise positioning. However, running GNSS CORS requires significant investments to establish and maintain the service. How to run GNSS CORS in a sustainable manner is unknown. Countries that are running GNSS CORS have different policies and perspectives about GNSS CORS. In some countries, it is an open public service fully supported by government budgets. Other countries rely on the private sector GNSS CORS services available at market prices. Several types of research have been proposed and covered aspects of GNSS CORS. But there still exists a challenge to identify sustainable governance model of GNSS CORS. And there is not any tool for the case.
This study aims to investigate models of sustainable governance of GNSS CORS infrastructure with a specific focus on the business model of GNSS CORS. Through a System Dynamics methodology, the first version of GNSS CORS generic governance model will be constructed and drawn as Casual Loop Diagram (CLD) to elaborate structures and relations of CORS GNSS elements. The next step is to transform the CLD into a stock and flow diagram. In parallel, existing GNSS CORS governance models in the Netherlands, Indonesia, the US, Australia and Japan will be explored. The model will be further developed and validated through the process based on the exploration and empirical data. The generic model will be useful for policy testing especially for examining the fit for purpose business model and accompanying access policy of GNSS CORS. The research will also design a graphic user interphase decision support tool. This tool will allow policymakers in different countries to be able to learn, understand and test policy choices on GNSS CORS governance.