How can we make GPS tracking studies more open, reproducible, and collaborative? A vision for the OpenGPS platform

This paper introduces OpenGPS, a platform envisioned for the archiving and processing of human mobility GPS data. The OpenGPS addresses the need for a centralized, privacy-preserving system that securely stores, shares, and analyzes GPS tracking datasets. The platform is envisioned to develop in thr...

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Main Authors: Milad Malekzadeh, Hui Jeong Ha, Katarzyna Sila-Nowicka, Vanessa Brum-Bastos, Jinhyung Lee, Urška Demšar, Jed A. Long
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Data in Brief
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235234092500335X
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author Milad Malekzadeh
Hui Jeong Ha
Katarzyna Sila-Nowicka
Vanessa Brum-Bastos
Jinhyung Lee
Urška Demšar
Jed A. Long
author_facet Milad Malekzadeh
Hui Jeong Ha
Katarzyna Sila-Nowicka
Vanessa Brum-Bastos
Jinhyung Lee
Urška Demšar
Jed A. Long
author_sort Milad Malekzadeh
collection DOAJ
description This paper introduces OpenGPS, a platform envisioned for the archiving and processing of human mobility GPS data. The OpenGPS addresses the need for a centralized, privacy-preserving system that securely stores, shares, and analyzes GPS tracking datasets. The platform is envisioned to develop in three phases. Phase I focuses on collecting metadata from existing GPS tracking studies worldwide, providing a foundation for future research. Phase II involves archiving GPS data with standardized formats and robust privacy safeguards, ensuring data is accessible while protecting individual privacy. Phase III integrates advanced analytical tools and workflows directly into the platform, enabling efficient analysis and fostering collaboration among researchers. The OpenGPS aims to overcome the limitations of current human mobility studies by offering a standardized repository that enhances reproducibility and openness in research. By facilitating the sharing of data and methodologies, the OpenGPS will promote new insights and innovations in human mobility research. This platform is poised to become a critical resource for the scientific community, bridging gaps in data availability, and enabling comprehensive meta-analyses across different geographical and temporal scales. Through OpenGPS, researchers can collaborate more effectively, share resources, and advance the understanding of human mobility patterns globally.
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issn 2352-3409
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Elsevier
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series Data in Brief
spelling doaj-art-41d17e2d05fb4da6b3c70db77e96e00d2025-08-20T02:31:00ZengElsevierData in Brief2352-34092025-06-016011160310.1016/j.dib.2025.111603How can we make GPS tracking studies more open, reproducible, and collaborative? A vision for the OpenGPS platformMilad Malekzadeh0Hui Jeong Ha1Katarzyna Sila-Nowicka2Vanessa Brum-Bastos3Jinhyung Lee4Urška Demšar5Jed A. Long6Digital Geography Lab, Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, Finland.; Corresponding author.Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, CanadaSchool of Environment, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New ZealandSchool of Earth and Environment, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New ZealandDepartment of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, CanadaSchool of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, United KingdomDepartment of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, CanadaThis paper introduces OpenGPS, a platform envisioned for the archiving and processing of human mobility GPS data. The OpenGPS addresses the need for a centralized, privacy-preserving system that securely stores, shares, and analyzes GPS tracking datasets. The platform is envisioned to develop in three phases. Phase I focuses on collecting metadata from existing GPS tracking studies worldwide, providing a foundation for future research. Phase II involves archiving GPS data with standardized formats and robust privacy safeguards, ensuring data is accessible while protecting individual privacy. Phase III integrates advanced analytical tools and workflows directly into the platform, enabling efficient analysis and fostering collaboration among researchers. The OpenGPS aims to overcome the limitations of current human mobility studies by offering a standardized repository that enhances reproducibility and openness in research. By facilitating the sharing of data and methodologies, the OpenGPS will promote new insights and innovations in human mobility research. This platform is poised to become a critical resource for the scientific community, bridging gaps in data availability, and enabling comprehensive meta-analyses across different geographical and temporal scales. Through OpenGPS, researchers can collaborate more effectively, share resources, and advance the understanding of human mobility patterns globally.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235234092500335XTrackingTrajectoryMovementOpen dataSpatial-temporalGPS
spellingShingle Milad Malekzadeh
Hui Jeong Ha
Katarzyna Sila-Nowicka
Vanessa Brum-Bastos
Jinhyung Lee
Urška Demšar
Jed A. Long
How can we make GPS tracking studies more open, reproducible, and collaborative? A vision for the OpenGPS platform
Data in Brief
Tracking
Trajectory
Movement
Open data
Spatial-temporal
GPS
title How can we make GPS tracking studies more open, reproducible, and collaborative? A vision for the OpenGPS platform
title_full How can we make GPS tracking studies more open, reproducible, and collaborative? A vision for the OpenGPS platform
title_fullStr How can we make GPS tracking studies more open, reproducible, and collaborative? A vision for the OpenGPS platform
title_full_unstemmed How can we make GPS tracking studies more open, reproducible, and collaborative? A vision for the OpenGPS platform
title_short How can we make GPS tracking studies more open, reproducible, and collaborative? A vision for the OpenGPS platform
title_sort how can we make gps tracking studies more open reproducible and collaborative a vision for the opengps platform
topic Tracking
Trajectory
Movement
Open data
Spatial-temporal
GPS
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235234092500335X
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