This paper presents the need for, purpose of, and results of an evaluation of satellite communication systems for Mayday applications in the United States (US). The evaluation was conducted as part of the "Rural Applications of Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS)" study sponsored by the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This project focused on studying satellite communication systems which could provide full coverage in all rural areas of the US, as well as urban areas, and could be integrated into a Mayday system. Two communication systems were tested, American Mobile Satellite Corporation's (AMSC) Geosynchronous (GEO) Satellite System and Orbital Communications Corporation's (ORBCOMM) Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite System. Testing was conducted in February 1997.
Abstract