Whether you are an individual looking to track your personnel assets or a business owner tracking your vehicle fleet, fleet GPS tracking is your best shot. As the name implies, GPS tracking for fleets includes devices or softwares that help you monitor the location of the vehicles via satellites.
But why would you need an outer space gadget to keep an eye on your vehicles and communicate the information to a little thingy on the car’s dash? This narrative dives deep into the benefits this technological arrangement offers for businesses and how it works.
How Does GPS Tracking Work?
Before looking into the details of how GPS tracking works, it is critical to understand what a GPS is. GPS is an acronym for Global Positioning System.
It is a Stallite-radio-based system that provides navigational and timing information to users through navigational devices like dashcams or mobile phones. Thanks to technological development, GPS can track a correct location up to 14 meters from the vehicle’s actual position on Earth. [1]
Working Mechanism of Fleet GPS Tracking System
GPS technology initially appeared in the market in the 1960s for military applications. However, later it became available for public use in the 1980s [2]. It uses a constellation of satellites that continuously orbits the Earth every 11 hours to allow accurate tracking.
Satellites from different countries are present in this constellation. However, the most prominent ones are Russia’s GLONASS constellation, China’s BeiDou constellation, America’s Global Positioning System Satellites, and Europe’s Galileo constellation [2].
The International Civil Aviation Organization’s Standards and Practices maintains and regulates all these satellites to ensure a smooth operation of the system. The setup includes 27 satellites, of which 24 are functional, and 3 are for backup in case any functional ones fail.
Simply put, a conventional fleet GPS tracking works when these satellites broadcast navigational signals towards the Earth. The navigational devices capture these satellite signals with atomic timestamps, determining the position of the vehicle on the Earth.
In technical terms, a fleet navigation system comprises three segments: the space segment, the user segment, and the control segment. As the name implies, the space segment includes the satellites that make all the procedures happen.
The control segment refers to the Earth-based stations which track and monitor the satellites. Lastly, there is the user segment that represents the devices that receive the signals and allow the tracking to happen.
Benefits Of Using A Fleet GPS Tracking System In Businesses
Knowing the technical details of a GPS tracking system doesn’t spell out why they are becoming a preference among business owners. The following section discusses some of their major benefits for logistics, construction, HVAC, etc.
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Route Optimization
Picking the wrong route is something everyone experiences. And as a fleet-based company such mistakes can cost you a fortune. Fleet GPS tracking allows you to find the shortest and most efficient routes for the vehicles.
In this way, there is less possibility of getting stuck in traffic jams and more time delivering goods or services. Since all the crew is visible on a digital screen, you can assign a particular job to the closest driver and reroute the other vehicles as needed.
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Effective Fuel And Cost Management
Managing fuel costs is one of the major challenges when you are dealing with fleets in various industries. Keeping the vehicle running while it is stationary refers to engine idling and it is one of the major reasons for massive fuel consumption.
Experts say that an idle engine for 60 minutes burns an entire gallon of fuel [3], which can cover a significant distance. GPS tracking applications allow you to create idle alerts to remind drivers to turn off the engine when not in use.
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Better Asset Utilization
With GPS tracking, businesses can keep tabs on their vehicles’ usage. When a certain vehicle arrives, and departs, how much time it took for a job and how close is it to a yet-to-assign job? GPS telematics also indicate free hours left after completing a certain job.
In the case of delays, you can also see if there were any personnel detours or was the reason for the delay was unintentional. All these real-time analytics help you manage and allocate your vehicles better.
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Behavior Analysis
Harsh driving habits not only pose a risk to the public of other road traffic but also result in more fuel consumption and engine deterioration. And as a fleet company, you’ll need additional care for it.
GPS fleet tracking also monitors how drivers behave on the road. Companies can see if drivers are speeding, braking harshly, taking detours in or outside working hours, not following traffic rules, etc. These insights help you develop safe driving habits in your drivers.
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Security And Less Frauds
GPS tracking provides added security for businesses. If a vehicle is stolen, the company can quickly locate it and alert the authorities. Also, it prevents employees from using company vehicles for personal errands or unauthorized trips, reducing fraudulent activities.
Real-time updates also help you avoid unnecessary timesheet fraud. Sometimes, drivers can record more hours than worked and bill you for overtime. You can avoid this by using the electronic logs in the fleet GPS tracking system.
The Bottom Line
Considering the long list of things that can go unmonitored when dealing with fleet vehicles, a Fleet tracking system is a lifesaver. They are incomparably beneficial in myriad industries, from logistics to personal asset monitoring. However, the endless list of market options may often leave you confused.
Fleet GPS tracking services from FleetPeek help you save fuel costs, optimize routes, reduce fraud, and efficient asset utilization. Additionally, they also help you promote safer and more efficient delivery of services or goods.
FAQs
- Does fleet GPS tracking work without the Internet?
Yes, GPS tracking works fine without an internet connection as it is independent of all types of cellular and WiFi connections and works on merely radio signals.
- What equipment do I need for GPS tracking installation at my company?
There are different types of fleet GPS tracking devices you can use. However, the most common ones include Mini GPS trackers, Dash Cams with GPS, and other electronic logging devices.
Is there a mobile integration available as well?
Many reliable GPS installation companies offer mobile integration for effortless workflow. If you are still determining which companies provide mobile integration, then FleetPeek is your go-to for user-friendly integration.
How is FleetPeek Premier different from FleetPeek Plus?
FleetPeek Premier is a bumper prize including fuel card integration, two-way messaging, and footage history. In contrast, FleetPeek provides subtle features like reporting, real-time monitoring, and alerting.
Links
[1]https://forcefleettracking.com/blog/how-does-gps-tracking-work/
[3]https://blog.linxup.com/blog/a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-importance-of-gps-tracking-for-your-fleet
