What is GPS Truck Tracking

How does GPS truck tracking work?

GPS truck tracking systems allow businesses to see and understand when, where and how their vehicles are being used, including driver behavior, maintenance alerts, and more. Here’s how GPS truck tracking works:

1. Truck GPS tracking devices are small, easily installed devices that connect to a vehicle's OBDII or another diagnostics port. These devices connect to cellular or satellite data networks and transmit important information to the home office for analysis and decision making.
   
   
2. Multiple devices collect data from the vehicle and its driver in real-time. Devices include:
   1. GPS units, which identify location, ignition status, odometer information, vehicle diagnostics and more.
   2. Accelerometers, which determine when a vehicle starts or stops moving and also records harsh braking, harsh acceleration, and harsh cornering incidents.
   3. Cameras that capture high-definition video footage of the road and the driver. Cameras can be forward-facing, driver-facing or provide a full 360-degree view. When equipped with AI, cameras can also spot and alert for poor driving behaviors, such as tailgating, speeding, stop-sign violations, and distracted driving.
      
      
3. The data captured is then used in two ways:
   1. Some forms of data are used to provide the driver with real-time alerts and notifications. For example, AI-enabled cameras can tell a driver that they are driving distracted when they have picked up their phone or that they are tailgating. This provides valuable hands-off self-coaching for drivers.
   2. All of the data is pushed back into the fleet management platform which sorts and organizes the data so it can be interpreted by the business. The most common functionality is to show vehicle location, but many businesses expand to measure driver safety, compliance, workflow efficiency, and maintenance. The more advanced solutions include data analytics dashboards that highlight key performance trends, with the most recent platforms incorporating AI technology which can directly answer business questions and automatically identify and flag performance changes.

How does GPS tracking benefit businesses?

The benefits of GPS tracking are invaluable to fleet owners. Businesses using GPS truck tracking gain access to accurate, timely information about their trucking operations to help make better business decisions. The five primary benefits of GPS truck tracking are:

• Improved safety and compliance
• Reduced fuel costs
• Lower overall operational costs
• Increased productivity
• Better communication

GPS Truck Tracker Compliance Solutions

Meeting local, state and federal compliance rules, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) ELD Mandate, is a leading driver in the adoption of GPS technologies. There are three main compliance areas of which fleets need to be aware:

• ELD: Prompted by calls to reduce fatigue-related accidents on the road, the FMCSA enacted in ELD Mandate starting in 2016. Pushback from drivers was massive, forcing fleet owners to prioritize driver-friendly devices and create programs to encourage adoption and ease privacy concerns.
• DVIR: At sign-on, the system reminds drivers to use the simple DVIR inspection checklist for quick and easy compliance and maintenance updates. Automating inspections and maintenance checks helps keep vehicles safer and on the road longer.
• IFTA: For vehicles covered by the IFTA agreement, fleet managers can track mileage and fuel purchases for instant and automated reporting.

Key Driver Advantages from Truck GPS Tracker Technology

GPS truck tracking systems are beneficial to drivers, too. Encouraging driver adoption is key to a successful system. Driver benefits include:

2. Safety and Protection – Driving is one of the most dangerous jobs and fatigue plays a large role in motor vehicle accidents. Telematics systems help identify driver fatigue and can also help eliminate “he said, she said” incidents, protecting drivers against fraudulent insurance claims.
3. Incentive Programs – Companies can use a GPS truck tracking system to provide driver incentives for safe driving. Implementing rewards and recognition programs by monitoring driver behavior and score carding driver performance.
4. Workflow — Streamlined workflows, including digitized forms inspection automation, means drivers can spend more time doing what they do best: driving. GPS truck tracking systems help reduce wait times at delivery and pick-up locations via improved communication, automated processes, and digital signature captures.

What to look for in truck tracking software

Telematics systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes. From plug-and-play to bring your own device to professionally installed systems, here’s what to look for in truck tracking software:

• Simplicity: Simplicity is key to system adoption. Your truck tracking software should prioritize ease of use for in-cab devices and backend systems, including when it comes to reporting and analytics. One-click access to the information that matters most to your fleet can be world-changing.
• Real-time data: Making good business decisions means having the right information when you need it. With real-time vehicle information, including HD video footage, businesses can turn data into decisions. AI-powered analytics and machine learning helps businesses detect abnormal patterns, identifying your biggest points of impact.
• Mobility: Accessing data from anywhere is key to keeping a highly productive fleet moving. Mobile capabilities bring all the power of truck tracking systems into the palm of your hand. Access, sign, and manage important documents and get real-time insights from your mobile device.

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