But what is fleet tracking used for, and why was it invented in the first place? The answer is quite simple: to track the real-time statuses and activities of the vehicles to ensure that everything gets done on time. Here, we’ll observe how fleet tracking has handled the job so far.
The Purpose of Fleet Tracking
Fleet tracking systems employ the technology of telematics and GPS to locate vehicles and trailers. These systems also present information on the available routes, the drivers’ behaviors, and other helpful information because of the involvement of sensors and GPS. But how exactly does it ensure the operational enhancements? Let’s explore.
Improving Operational Efficiency
When discussing the purpose, the first answer to the question, “What is fleet tracking used for?” will be efficiency enhancement. As it shows the real-time positions of vehicles, fleet tracking helps dispatchers improve their choice-making by planning the most effective routes and minimizing fuel and time spent idling.
Similarly, real-time data can help pinpoint roadblocks, maintenance days, and weather conditions on the designated route. If a situation may lead to late delivery, managers can take prompt measures to ensure it doesn’t happen.
Enhancing Safety and Compliance
Fleet tracking also helps ensure regulatory compliance. For instance, it monitors drivers’ behaviors and incorporates alerting features for unsafe conditions. Typically, managers apply alerts for harsh braking, excessive speeding, and unnecessary engine idling, which not only compromises safety but also increases the likelihood of vehicle wear.
Once the drivers with faulty driving habits are identified, you can arrange special training to fix certain driving habits and reduce the possibility of accidents [1]. Moreover, the sensors involved in the fleet tracking system also keep track of Hours of Service as electric logging devices can track the working hours of the workers, making it easier to stick to the legal working durations and prevent time-sheet fraud.
Reducing Fuel Costs
Fleet tracking significantly reduces fuel costs, which is another key aspect of what is fleet tracking used for. Studies reveal that companies are able to mitigate about 20 to 25% of unnecessary fuel consumption by utilizing fleet tracking systems [2].
These systems offer features that can detect unnecessary fuel consumption like non-optimal routing, unauthorized vehicle usage, and inefficient driving practices that lead to more fuel expense. Hence, by addressing and implementing effective remedies, companies can save significant costs.
Optimizing Maintenance Schedules
Preventive maintenance is crucial for keeping vehicles in optimal condition and avoiding costly breakdowns. Fleet tracking systems provide valuable data on vehicle performance, like fuel, engine, and mileage reports [3], which can be analyzed to set up the maintenance that is needed rather than expensing on a fixed maintenance schedule.
Such tabs ensure that the vehicles are serviced before issues become serious, reducing downtime and extending the fleet’s lifespan. Simply piecing an answer of what is fleet tracking used for? Would be the maintenance of fleet health and operational continuity.
Enhancing Customer Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction is a top priority for any business, and fleet tracking helps a great deal in this regard. Fleet tracking provides accurate and real-time information on delivery times, prompting companies to offer better customer service.
Customers can easily get timely updates on the status of their deliveries, and any delays. Moreover, accurate ETAs can also help the courier companies to make the needed adjustments before the cargo arrives so the last-mile delivery follows the schedule easily. This level of transparency and responsiveness enhances customer trust and satisfaction, which is another commendable answer to our question.
Ensuring Asset Security
Protecting valuable assets is another critical purpose of fleet tracking. With GPS-enabled tracking, fleet companies can monitor the location of their vehicles in real-time and receive alerts if a vehicle deviates from its planned route. This feature is particularly useful in preventing theft and recovering stolen vehicles.
Additionally, fleet tracking can help monitor the usage of assets, ensuring that vehicles are only used for authorized purposes. If need be, managers can ask for real-time verification of the drivers to ensure there is nothing fraudulent happening.
How Do Different Fleet Tracking Options Work For Different Use cases?
The answer of what is fleet tracking used for can only make sense if one takes an understanding of how it actually works. With proper utilization of GPS technology, the internet, and computing, the whole process of fleet tracking has been reduced to merely installing an application.
The tracking app on the driver’s mobile tracks all the activities like position location, speed, etc. However, since it is the most basic type it is only fit for limited usage.
Hardwired GPS systems are way more suitable for high-end applications as they include satellite and cloud server networks to offer more targeted insights and tracking capabilities.
The Bottom Line
Summing up our debate on what is fleet tracking used for? It is safe to conclude that it serves multiple critical purposes, from improving operational efficiency and safety to reducing costs and enhancing customer satisfaction.
By providing real-time data and insights, fleet tracking helps companies optimize their fleet operations, ensuring that they are running as efficiently and safely as possible. As the logistics industry continues to evolve, the role of fleet tracking will only become more essential, making it a valuable investment for any business that relies on vehicle fleets.
FAQs
- How does a fleet tracking system work?
A tracker device is installed on the vehicle and it communicates the latitude and longitude information of the vehicle to the satellites. The satellites further transmit this data to a cloud server which the fleet tracking software accesses.
- How many types of fleet trackers are there?
Fleet tracking devices are commonly of three varieties. The most basic one is the Installed GPS, which is hardwired into the vehicle. The second type is the OBD option. These devices are plugged into the vehicle’s OBD port and track the vehicle’s location. The last type is the Asset Tracker, which doesn’t require a power line from the engine and is usually installed in construction companies’ assets. [3]
- Which actions are considered as harsh according to the fleet tracking systems?
Typically, practices like excessive acceleration, harsh braking, and tailgating are categorized as unsafe. You can easily set up alerts in the system if these actions are observed and then design personalized training programs for drivers.
- What is fleet tracking used for in logistics?
Real-time fleet tracking is widely applied in logistics to determine the location of vehicles, the best routes to take, and increase the efficiency of deliveries, fuel efficiency, and safety of drivers. All these factors combined give better control of the operation.
External Links
[1]https://monarchconnected.com/what-is-fleet-tracking-used-for/
[2]https://www.fleetroot.com/blog/how-can-gps-tracking-help-in-fleet-expenditure-management/
[3]https://www.360connect.com/product-blog/what-is-fleet-tracking/
