Basic Vehicle GPS Questions Answered

GPS is becoming a vehicle staple, both privately and commercially. It’s becoming more and more common for businesses to invest in quality GPS equipment to help them track their fleets, their employees and their products.

We have answered a few frequently asked vehicle tracking questions below.

What Is Vehicle Tracking?

GPS tracking is a way to identify your vehicle’s position. The technique requires a device to be installed in a vehicle. The device receives signals from multiple GPS satellites, which calculate a position based on proximity with other satellites and the time it takes each satellite signal to reach your device. The information can then be tracked and logged online for a fleet manager to observe from any computer with an Internet connection. From the computer monitor, a person can view each truck on a web-based mapping service such as GoogleMaps.

What Information Do Vehicle Tracking Devices Provide?

While most people assume that GPS is used solely for pinpointing a vehicle’s location, devices and online mapping can be used to determine speed and direction of travel, stop/start time, as well as idle time. Combined, this detailed information can provide a fleet manager with valuable operational information. Online programs can log this data overtime to help identify long-term trends.

What Industries Rely on GPS Vehicle Tracking?

Almost any company that operates a vehicle or an entire fleet of vehicles can find highly practical uses for GPS vehicle tracking. In the service industry, GPS could be used by cable companies, plumbers, maid services or any other type of delivery company. Those businesses can plan and communicate better with customers. On a larger scale, shipping or logistics companies rely on GPS for planning purposes. Municipalities and schools also use GPS tracking to monitor bus fleets, street sweepers and snowplows. Likewise, public safety groups, like fire and police, can find quicker routes for emergency response.

What Are the Benefits of GPS Tracking?

The benefits of GPS vehicle tracking are countless. However, a few notable ones include the ability to plan your business and coordinate with customers. Arrival times are more accurate with real-time tracking and knowledge about ongoing traffic patterns. Along those lines, GPS has its navigation benefits, as well. With real-time tracking, a fleet manager can help trucks navigate through bad weather conditions, roadwork or heavy traffic. Companies that use satellite tracking can also reduce fuel costs and employee down time by limiting how long a vehicle is idling in traffic.

What Is the Difference Between Cellular and Satellite Devices?

The difference here has more to do with how your device communicates. Cellular systems relay signals via cellular towers. This option is very popular for fleets that travel within a single area with reliable cellular coverage. However, if cellular coverage is spotty, or if your vehicles travel in and out of coverage zones, satellite devices could be more practical. They communicate directly with orbiting satellites and do not rely on a terrestrial service. Satellite devices are highly versatile and can monitor vehicles in the remotest of areas.

Contact Track Your Truck today to learn more about our GPS and vehicle tracking solutions.