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A History Of GPS Vehicle Tracking and Fleet Telematics

This article was published on: 02/8/16 by the Robert Hall

Fleet telematics is a form of technology that transmits data from commercial trucks to another party. Examples of fleet telematics currently in use include satellite freight tracking, vehicle tracking and electronic logging devices. The idea of telematics was introduced in the 1960s before personal computers and the Internet. A closer look at the history of GPS tracking devices and fleet telematics can show how beneficial they are to your fleet.

GPS Technology — Not a Recent Development

Even before GPS was developed, fleet telematics was invented in 1974 — or at least the origins of it. The U.S. automobile industry had begun a form of fleet telematics; as new cars rolled out of assembly plants via the Ford, Chrysler and General Motors manufacturers, they were cataloged using an electronic process. When orders were placed, a mainframe-to-mainframe method of communicating was used to process orders electronically, and vehicle status reports were generated using computer technology. This was the beginning of fleet tracking.

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By 1978, the phrase “telematics” was invented. In France, a government report by Simon Nora and Alain Minc developed the concept of telematics to define using telecommunications to transfer information. However, it was not until a decade later that the European Economic Community began conducting research on the application of telematics and driver safety. Fleet telematics was tested to see if this technology could also help reduce the environmental impact associated with operating motor vehicles.

The history of GPS vehicle tracking had another milestone in 1978. The experimental Block-I GPS satellite was launched into space in 1978. Manufactured by Rockwell International, this system was a successful test; and by the end of 1985, 10 more Block-I satellites were launched to further validate the concept.

In the early years, GPS technology was not yet operational, due to an insufficient number of satellites orbiting the earth. On Jan. 17, 1994, after years of gradual growth, the final of the first 24 satellites was launched, and the GPS system was considered fully operational. Today, fleet tracking taps into this same technology.

Computer Technology and The Internet Pave the Way for Widespread Vehicle Tracking

During the 1980s and 1990s, two major tech evolutions occurred that spawned fleet telematics systems that we have today. First, the production of the personal computer enabled businesses of all sizes to use this technology. No longer was it only accessible by government agencies, but small businesses could now use computers for handling fleet information. More importantly, personal computers made it easier for individuals with a limited computer science background to use this technology.

For fleet managers, computers that could fit on their office desk transformed the way they did business. By the early 1980s, fleet managers could connect with the mainframe of their management firm’s computer. This allowed an easy transmission of information both offline and online via a modem. In 1982, fleet company ARI designed the first-ever fleet maintenance management system to operate online. This greatly improved fleet managers’ ability to reduce lead times for vehicle deliveries.

Read Next:   What Is the Difference Between GPS and Telematics?

Then, with the advent of computer accessories for storage — such as PC diskettes and later USB drives — fleet managers could increase their ability to share this information for research and billing purposes. In the 1980s, real-time updates on driver and fleet data were also enabled. This sped up the system of transmission to an even greater capability.

Early GPS technology was designed primarily for use by the military. The uses for the military were clear in the 1980s and 1990s, but public interest in GPS technology was minimal. In 1996, President Bill Clinton determined that the system would be an asset to civilians as well as the military, and issued a policy directive that would require the creation of a dual-use system benefitting the everyday user. This policy change made GPS technology available to the average individual, including fleet managers, who could see the benefit of using the technology to keep tabs on their vehicles.

Personal computers were transformed when the World Wide Web became accessible in the 1990s. In fact, the first Internet-based fleet management system called PHH InterActive was established in 1997. At a rapid pace, all fleet management programs on computers became web-enabled. As a result, fleet managers and drivers could share data pertaining to maintenance records, vehicle sales and vehicle ordering using the online portals. Also within this decade, General Electric created FleetTools, which was a type of fleet management software that also enabled management teams to run reports using fleet data.

In the 1990s, further modifications were made to GPS technology. These included policy and accessibility changes. In 2006, the last GPS satellite was launched.

GPS Navigation and the Fleet

Another major technological advancement in the 1990s was the consumer use of GPS technology. This, coupled with the use of the Internet, gave fleet telematics systems the biggest boost to date. In the early days of fleet tracking, in order to properly track a fleet, each vehicle had to be enabled with a costly GPS device. The company was required to pay a typically high monthly fee to use the satellite tracking system. While helpful, these early systems were difficult to implement, costly to use and sometimes inconvenient for drivers and fleet management alike. Thus it took several years for the concept to catch on. In the earliest days, only large, wealthy fleets took advantage of the technology.

The government granted access to GPS tech in 1993, which meant commercial drivers could finally use this method of mapping for route development. Fleets were able to implement GPS vehicle navigation systems. This reduced the environmental impact of vehicles thanks to decreased driving times and improved routing for fleets.

By the mid-2000s, GPS navigation technology had evolved into tracking systems. This was in part due to the improvements of machine to machine (M2M) communications, which is the predecessor to the Internet of Things (IoT). Along with cloud-based technology and sensor parameters, GPS tracking became increasingly accurate.

Read Next:   What Is Telematics?

The basic concept of fleet tracking has not changed since its inception. A GPS tracking system uses the Global Navigation Satellite System network. This network incorporates a range of satellites that use microwave signals that are transmitted to GPS devices to give information on location, vehicle speed, time and direction. Essentially, a GPS tracking system can potentially give both real-time and historic navigation data on any equipped vehicle. GPS provides special satellite signals, which are processed by a receiver. These GPS receivers not only track the exact location but can also compute velocity and time.

Fleet tracking has been embraced by both fleet managers and the drivers they hire. This technology provides accountability and protection to both parties, helping drivers do their jobs better and providing fleet managers with accurate information about fleet vehicles.

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Modern GPS Vehicle Tracking (And a Look at the Future)

Cellphones and tablets progressed right along with the use of GPS navigation technology. During the 2000s, mobile phones were able to perform GPS navigation and tracking processes using apps. Commercial vehicles were also equipped with dashboard computerized systems and communications platforms, such as Qualcomm.

These systems enable drivers to communicate directly with their dispatchers and fleet managers using in-cab, web-connected technology. At the same time, individuals in the office can locate drivers and freight from 1,000 miles away using these GPS-based fleet telematics systems.

The progression of telematics has advanced dramatically since the beginning of the 21st century. As a result of mobile technology, GPS, cloud computing and high-speed Internet capabilities, telematics can provide fleet managers with highly sophisticated data.

Managers have the tools to track trucks in real time using high-resolution maps updated on a regular basis. Thanks to monitoring software, these mapping systems can be accessed from anywhere on Earth via cloud computing.

The use of telematics helps fleets do more than just keep drivers safe. The technology allows fleet managers to monitor freight and provide secure geo-fencing zones. More secure freight leads to fewer losses and freight claims. As a result, shipping customers are more confident and ultimately satisfied with their freight services. This increases business operations and helps trucking companies improve return on their investment with telematics.

Telematics is combined with other technologies, such as routing, for increased optimization. For instance, managers can now use this data to determine how much fuel was used for a route and if an alternative route is more fuel-efficient. Fleet telematics also helps fleet managers monitor driver behaviors — such as speeding, hard braking and accelerating. By identifying these behaviors, managers have the data they need to implement driver training or other methods for correcting these issues.

Read Next:   5 Telematics Capabilities That Can Transform Your Fleet

Technologies involving GPS, big data and IoT will continue to evolve in the coming years. As such, we can expect to see far more from the use of fleet telematics systems in the trucking industry.

The modern fleet tracking system provides the necessary data to fleet managers allowing them to run their operations more efficiently. Reports on driver behavior, vehicle performance and fuel use all make it easier for the fleet manager to cut costs and increase efficiencies. These systems go beyond simple reporting of each vehicle’s location, offering fleet managers a wealth of information about their vehicles and their drivers.

Today, fleet managers have a number of fleet tracking technologies they can use. These include:

  • Cellular Tracking — Cellular tracking taps into the growing cellular network to provide GPS data in real time.
  • Satellite Tracking — Ideal for fleets that regularly travel outside of cellular coverage. Satellite tracking uses traditional GPS satellites to track vehicles. Real-time satellite tracking is possible.
  • Passive Tracking — Whether it be satellite or cellular based, passive tracking provides periodic location updates rather than real-time tracking data to help with asset management and vehicle tracking.

These three options show the clear evolution of the technology to the point that it now can accommodate fleets of all types and sizes. Today, GPS tracking is increasingly efficient, able to provide data in real time and able to be used on mobile devices for tracking on the go. Fleet management professionals can have as little or as much tracking data as they want at their fingertips, making it a viable option for small fleets as well as large corporations.

In December 2015, a new option for the modern fleet tracking system became necessary when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a ruling that will require all commercial vehicles to maintain electronic logs instead of paper logs. According to the mandate, electronic logging devices will have to replace paper record-of-duty logs in trucks by Dec. 16, 2017. Because electronic logging capabilities are built into most modern fleet tracking systems,
this new mandate is expected to increase the use of GPS fleet tracking systems among fleets that are not currently using the technology.

What does the future of fleet tracking hold? Only time will tell, but based on its current evolution, we can expect to see an increased demand for accuracy, more data to track and improved mobile capabilities. If you are ready to embrace fleet tracking or if you need help ensuring that your fleet is operating in line with the FMCSA mandate, contact Track Your Truck to discuss your options. Our simple-to-use fleet tracking systems will make it easy for you to be compliant while offering all the benefits of GPS fleet tracking.