DRS Cense GPS device
Pre Release Technical Information
A significant number of countries use enumerators to collect data from each occupied dwelling during a census. During any census, enumerators collect details about the physical location where they complete the data collection exercise. These details typically include quantitative data such as Enumeration district and Housing unit number.
DRS CENSE is a small handheld, pocket-sized GPS device that captures the Latitude and Longitude co-ordinates at the point of enumeration, which can be used to link the data directly into a Geographic Information System (GIS). This enables far greater use of Census data during dissemination by putting the data collected in to geographical context, giving a powerful tool to users of that data.
data represented geographically using SuperView (Space Time Research)
Using DRS CENSE, latitude and longitude co-ordinates are associated to reference census data, providing a low-cost and robust way of associating data geographically within any GIS software system. This can be achieved by simply adding an extra field to capture the Latitude and Longitude information to the paper form.
small addition of Lat/Long field to the form
The enumerator completing the form will write the information displayed on the DRS CENSE GPS unit onto the form at the point of collecting the household data.
Latitude and Longitude information is captured on the form
The DRS CENSE device is simple to operate and requires no training, software, support or GSM network to operate effectively. It has been designed specifically to meet the needs of national Census projects being undertaken using paper-based data-capture processes.
Enumerator Area coverage checking tool
The innovative use of GPS during census enumeration easily allows for census coverage quality checks to be undertaken that can graphically indentify any missed or out-of-boundary activity. The DRS Cense GPS device enables statistics officers the simple functionality required to ensure enumerators have visited all locations correctly and thus asses the census coverage.
Outline specifications & key features
- robust splash proof case.
- displays latitude and longitude in decimal degrees.
- large LCD display.
- operating temperature range is 0 to +50 deg C.
- pocket sized.
- simple to use with single push-button operation
- no user training required
- does not require technical support or software installation
- not reliant on mobile phone networks
- lower price point than PDA
- uses commonly available batteries providing up to eight hours continous usage per day
- can be used to confirm start location for each enumerator
- helps ensure enumerator goes to correct position on EA map
- enumerator captured GPS data can be used as a reference point for future Census activities
- information captured with GPS positions has benefits to other government departments such as disaster planning (eg. if river levels rise)