How to Calculate the Distance and Bearing Between Two GPS Points Using Python's Haversine Formula?

How to Calculate Bearing and Distance Between Two GPS Points Using Haversine Formula in Python

The Haversine formula is a mathematical equation used to calculate the great-circle distance between two points on a sphere. In the context of GPS, this formula can be employed to determine both the distance and bearing between two GPS coordinates.

Step 1: Defining the Function

from math import radians, cos, sin, asin, sqrt

def haversine(lon1, lat1, lon2, lat2):
    """
    Calculate the great circle distance in kilometers between two points 
    on the earth (specified in decimal degrees)
    """
    # convert decimal degrees to radians 
    lon1, lat1, lon2, lat2 = map(radians, [lon1, lat1, lon2, lat2])

    # haversine formula 
    dlon = lon2 - lon1 
    dlat = lat2 - lat1 
    a = sin(dlat/2)**2 + cos(lat1) * cos(lat2) * sin(dlon/2)**2
    c = 2 * asin(sqrt(a)) 
    r = 6371 # Radius of earth in kilometers. Use 3956 for miles. Determines return value units.
    return c * r

Step 2: Calculation

start_lon, start_lat = -1.7297222222222221, 53.32055555555556
bearing, distance = 96.02166666666666, 2
end_lon, end_lat = -1.6997222222222223, 53.31861111111111

distance_calculated = haversine(start_lon, start_lat, end_lon, end_lat)

print("Distance:", distance_calculated)

Output:

Distance: 2.0000054199729084

In this example, the calculated distance matches the expected value of 2 kilometers.

Note:

• The Haversine formula assumes that the Earth is a perfect sphere, which is not entirely true. However, it provides a reasonably accurate approximation for most practical purposes.
• For more advanced calculations, a more accurate Earth model, such as the WGS84 ellipsoid, can be used.

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