GPS is the most accurate way you can track and monitor vehicles within your fleet as most GPS tracking devices have an accuracy range of two to three metres and they have become a vital piece of technology providing fleet managers with accurate information to work with.

How Does GPS work?

GPS systems operate via information being sent to and from 30 or so satellites orbiting Earth.

There are at least four GPS satellites within range of a GPS device no matter where it is on the planet. These satellites send signals to and from the GPS devices. This enables the software to calculate where the device is within a few meters range.

It’s important to be aware that in-car navigation systems and GPS trackers do different things.

Navigation systems provide a location for a vehicle and can plot future travel. While GPS tracking devices keep a record of where a vehicle has been, where it is at any time and helps “fill in the gaps” for some understanding of driver habits.

How does GPS tracking work for fleet vehicles?

The same principles apply to a fleet vehicle with a GPS device fitted. The device will be communicating with 3 or more satellites. These satellites will send and receive information via cellular networks to calculate and record the position of a vehicle.

Modern GPS devices are small and often fitted somewhere in a vehicle where they cannot easily be found. This is because, in the case of a vehicle being stolen, it needs to remain undetected so that it cannot be disconnected. Being able to accurately track where a stolen vehicle is, is one of the most reliable ways a vehicle can be recovered.

Should you install trackers in your fleet vehicles?

There are a number of reasons why GPS tracking devices are helpful for fleet managers and organisations;

• You can collect data on where a vehicle has been and how it was driven
• You can monitor fuel consumption and identify areas to save fuel and reduce fleet costs
• The information enables you to optimize driving routes to save time and money
• If a vehicle is stolen, you will be able to track where it is unless the device is tampered with

While there is a cost involved with installing GPS trackers, most organisations are able to offset the cost with the savings they are able to make by having the trackers.

The main savings come from being able to identify where you can better optimise driving routes and reduce fuel consumption. There are also potential savings on insurance premiums too.

There is currently no better, or more reliable and effective way to accurately monitor the whereabouts of a fleet of vehicles.

The data GPS devices transmit and how it’s interpreted by fleet management systems has become an invaluable tool for improving efficiency when managing a fleet of vehicles.