GPS vehicle tracking for trucks is one of the most popular forms of vehicle tracking systems on the market today. Simply put, a GPS vehicle tracking system is simply a unit which uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to identify and track the precise location of its carrier (usually an individual or vehicle). Once located, the precise location can be recorded using a GPS receiver or other type of wireless device. The location is stored within a computer system and can be viewed online whenever needed. This makes it easy to pinpoint the exact location of a vehicle at any time, from any place.
Truck drivers are often provided with GPS tracking units while they drive to and from their destination. Many trucking and delivery companies provide GPS vehicle tracking to their drivers as a part of their fleet management software. These companies realize that drivers spend a great deal of time away from their destinations. This reduces the amount of time that valuable cargo is away from the company, and decreases the amount of insurance premiums paid by the carriers. It also makes it much easier for the carrier company to recover lost goods if drivers are not sending them back to their proper delivery locations.
Fleet management software has the ability to generate reports on a regular basis. By creating and providing these reports, fleet management software has the ability to maximize fuel consumption across all vehicles in the fleet. This information provides a complete picture of how fuel consumption trends are affecting the company's overall performance. For example, if a company consistently sends out reports showing that fuel consumption is only staying steady or decreasing, then fleet management software should be analyzing possible reasons for this trend. If drivers are regularly making unscheduled stopovers to fill up their tanks, then the company may need to adjust the route drivers take to ensure more fuel efficiency is achieved.
Another benefit of GPS vehicle tracking systems is that they can also help reduce driver distraction while they are driving. Many accidents occur when drivers are looking down their sights, rather than looking ahead to their surroundings. These types of distractions significantly increase a driver's risk of being in a collision. Installing GPS trackers on vehicles allows drivers to receive notification of their position so that they can make sure their eyes are scanning the road ahead of time rather than checking their hands on the steering wheel.
In order to optimize the benefits of gps vehicle tracking, fleets need to be analyzed to understand exactly how the various aspects of the fleet are contributing to overall performance. To do this, drivers need to have access to their exact positions on a map at any given time. By providing drivers with real-time position information, fleet managers are able to optimize the use of existing routes and reduce the number of unnecessary trips through inefficient routes in order to save money.
The ability to optimize the routing with gps vehicle tracking systems goes beyond reducing unnecessary trips. Inefficiencies in routes can lead to misfortunes like a driver picking up an extra passenger or a delivery that gets left somewhere without the correct driver. By using a GPS vehicle tracking system, fleet managers can prevent these types of mistakes from happening by analyzing route algorithms using mathematical algorithms. When a fleet manager sees an algorithm problem, they can immediately analyze it to see if an improvement can be made. Once the solution is found, the algorithm is modified so that other algorithms are also tested. This process constantly improves the fleet manager's ability to route vehicles efficiently.
While navigation is a big part of a driver's job, efficient route mapping is just as important. GPS vehicle tracking devices give fleet managers the tools to map out possible routes for individual vehicles or for the entire fleet. Not only does this provide precise turnarounds, but it can also lead to increased productivity because a driver will know more about the roads ahead. Using a GPS tracker, the route to the next destination can be calculated within the limits of the vehicle's sensor data.
By combining traditional mapping techniques with gps vehicle tracking system data, fleet managers can improve their overall efficiency. The combination of maps and gps devices allows for precise turnarounds and reduced turns in any given direction. Additionally, a fleet manager can eliminate wasteful stops or late shipments by analyzing their gps maps. Using this information, the route to the next stop can be calculated in time. On a national level, this can translate to significant savings in fuel consumption, productivity and safety.