Less than a generation ago, truck fleet tracking and communications were human driven. A driver would use a short range radio to report his location.. records were kept at truck depots and weight stations which estimated a driver's past position.. paper reports were filed along with log books by the driver once his route was completed..
All in all, an inaccurate methodology for tracking a truck or fleet of trucks.
Not any longer.
With the congruence of several key technologies, truck fleet tracking has never been easier, more cost effective and available to fleet owners large and small.
There are several technologies to be aware of:
GPS - The Global Positioning Satellite system, maintained by the U.S. government and available to all with proper equipment provides pin point location accuracy. The GPS system is a series of satellites which provide location data to GPS receivers on the ground. The receivers are very low power and small. They can be found in consumer as well as industry specific tracking devices.
The GPS satellite is also low power and provides best coverage in a non-restricted location. So GPS receiver antennas are typically placed on the exterior of a vehicle where they can "see" the satellites.
Wireless communications - Both cellular and satellite communications are cost affective for truck fleet tracking. Cellular, using GSM or CDMA technology offers a plethora of industry specific hardware manufactured by a number of companies in the U.S. and abroad. While some are broad based, many are specific to the trucking industry. Satellite, widely used over the past decade by truck fleet tracking companies, is popular because of its ubiquitous coverage. The drawback with satellite tracking is the cost.
Wireless communications costs have dropped dramatically for cellular and there are some affordable satellite service companies for truck fleet tracking.
Smaller and more affordable hardware - Technology for the truck fleet tracking market has dropped in cost over the past five years. A typical truck fleet tracking device will comprise of a rugged enclosure which contains the GPS receiver, a radio, a printed circuit board (PCB) with I/O (input/outputs) and antenna connectors. The PCB typically has a processor which handles onboard intelligence and decision making, routes communications and manages IP (internet protocol) or short messaging (i.e. SMS) with an internet based application.
Hardware costs can be anywhere from the $100.00 range to the thousands for customized equipment.
Fleet tracking software applications - Internet based applications which provide truck fleet tracking information and decision making are widespread and readily available to the trucking enterprise customer. No longer are trucking companies limted to expensive customized solutions but now have low cost monthly and shared hosting packages available to them on a per truck/per month subscription basis.
Truck Fleet Tracking takes these pieces and brings them together for a complete tracking solution.
Continued in Part 2.
What is Fleet Management?
15 years ago
