The rapid economic growth in the state of Montana makes it critical for the state to have adequate up-to-date geographic information infrastructure. Such infrastructure would increase the accuracy of geographic information and maps that are needed by multiple users from private and public entities. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and the State Library are leading an effort to develop a Statewide Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Real-Time Network (RTN). A statewide GNSS-RTN benefits multiple public and private entities that utilize GPS survey and GIS mapping services. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping, survey grade applications, precision agriculture, emergency management, construction engineering projects, infrastructure asset management, environmental studies, municipal infrastructure, and navigation are only some of the important applications of the prospective statewide GNSS-RTN system. This system should cover most or all of Montana geographic area and provides survey grade RTN survey and mapping services to various public and private network partners while following a fiscally sustainable business operation.

Research is needed to investigate the feasibility of different business models for sustainable operation and maintenance of a statewide GNSS-RTN system to inform the direction of the state’s efforts in developing and maintaining a statewide GNSS-RTN. Research findings should help the MDT and other state partners make sound decisions regarding the main aspects of the system such as access to network services and ownership, operation, and maintenance of RTN components including Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS), the Central Processing Center (CPC) and network communications.

The objective of this project is to perform an assessment of the various alternative business models and to recommend to Montana MDT (and other partners) the most appropriate business model(s) to pursue in the planning and development of a statewide GNSS-RTN system. The prospective statewide GNSS-RTN should cover all or most of Montana geographical area and follow a fiscally sustainable business operation. More specifically, this project will gain understanding of and document the state of the art and practice related to GNSS-RTN existing systems, analyze the advantages and limitations of using various business models in the context of the state of Montana, and develop implementation recommendations to guide the planning efforts by MDT and other partners regarding the development and operation of Montana GNSS-RTN.

This research effort is jointly sponsored by the Montana Department of Transportation and the USDOT Small Urban, Rural, and Tribal Center on Mobility. This project represents the portion supported by SURTCOM.