Rocky Mountain Tracking » Car Tracking

GPS Tracker Locates Missing Student

Mark Rummel — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:00:20 +0000

In the midst of a very tragic story, GPS tracking played an important part in giving closure to the friends of a University of British Columbia student and her boyfriend. The student was pursuing her PhD and taught classes as an assistant professor at the University, researching Mexican literature. While vacationing in Mexico, the two disappeared somewhere south of Acapulco. It took search crews several weeks to find their bodies, and in the end it was a pair of friends from British Columbia who were able to locate them. It appears that they were the victim of drug-related violence or robbery, the bodies finally being located on a beach used by drug gangs in the area.

The search was ended, not by law enforcement using sophisticated techniques, but by two men using a combination of high-tech and very low-tech ideas. The student’s ex-husband, who remained close to her back home in British Columbia, and her brother traveled to Mexico to assist in the search. Using the signal from her car’s GPS tracking device, they eventually found the car parked near a beach in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. That’s where the low-tech part of the search came into play: The two men had brought along a dog belonging to the student, and as they began walking the beach, the dog was able to sniff out the location of her body, shallowly buried in the sand along with that of her boyfriend. Eventually, the men found three more bodies in the area after half a day of searching.

Mexico’s notorious drug gang problems have claimed the lives of many innocent people, some of them tourists like these two. The loss is devastating to friends and colleagues at the University of British Columbia, especially since the bodies’ conditions indicated a violent death. Without the advantage provided by the GPS tracking device installed on the student’s car, searchers might not have been able to find the bodies until they were unidentifiable. The finality of retrieving the two bodies and giving them a respectful burial is due in very large part to the guiding signal that the tracker sent out weeks after the car was left at the beach.

Controversy in Chicago Over Possible Taxicab GPS Mandate

John Chapman — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:00:01 +0000

It makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? The Chicago City Council held a vote in January to modify the regulations on its taxi cabs. The vote, designed to increase customer satisfaction and vehicle efficiency, may usher in sweeping changes to the taxi industry.

The first major point curbs cab driver overwork: the ordinances would mandate that drivers work no more than 12 hours a day. This regulation would appear to benefit not only the Chicago cab industry, but traffic safety in the city as well. Chicago deals with some of the most difficult traffic obstacles in the United States, and if the cab drivers are not well rested, then disaster is in the air.

The second major point may cost taxi companies a bundle: the ordinance would mandate that new cabs have a maximum of 75,000 miles. The current standard is 150,000 miles. This ordinance is designed to keep a better fleet on Chicago’s streets, raising the standard of practice and allowing passengers to have a more secure ferrying experience.

The third point involves GPS tracking: every cab in the city of Chicago would be fitted with GPS tracking devices. They provide the most efficient route through Chi-town traffic and allow the customer a transparent view of the route being taken by the driver (this would curb “wandering cab driver syndrome,” in which a driver takes an indirect route to a destination in order to increase fare).

There are numerous advantages that arise with the installation of GPS tracking in taxis. Since every taxi could be overseen from home base, inefficient behavior may be curved. Additionally, if a criminal act takes place in a taxi, police may subpoena the records for potential use in court.

The City Service Taxi Association of Chicago is not happy with the changes. Its president suggested that the City Council’s mandates might prove too expensive for many Windy City taxi services. However, these sweeping changes may provide benefits that these taxi services are unaware of.

GPS Tracking Has Salisbury Citizens Saying, “Let It Snow!”

Hillary Mayfield — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:00:10 +0000

Cities across the country are gearing up for winter weather and the snow that can stop traffic in its tracks. Salisbury, Delaware is no exception. Though still on a trial basis, Salisbury will be tracking the effectiveness and efficiency of using GPS tracking in its snow removal system. Authorities know that the milder temperatures of fall will give way to the harsh realities of winter and that residents will want roads cleared as quickly as possible. The average snowfall for this area is about 1 foot, and most of it falls in January according to meteorologists. Therefore, the Department of Public Works in Salisbury is preparing itself to handle the situation.

Over the last year, since January 2010, the city has tested GPS technology in two of its city-owned cars. This year, they will test nine vehicles in the hopes of saving time and money. GPS tracking will enable authorities to see where snow plows and other vehicles operated by the city have been and how much time is spent in each location. They hope the biggest savings will come with the city’s ability to report directly to FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, on the miles traveled and the hours worked during a winter weather event; in the past, this information has had to be gathered manually and then drafted into a report to be sent to FEMA in order to secure funds. With GPS tracking systems in place, the information can be downloaded directly from the computer and forwarded to the appropriate personnel.

With ready access to pertinent information, Salisbury officials will better know how its resources are being used and where. With aid from FEMA based on this information, cities will greatly benefit from the funds received, especially in a disaster situation. If the trial is successful, the city may set up a public website where residents can find information on what routes have been cleared and register requests for cleanup in their area. Citizens will still be required to clear sidewalks within 24 hours of the snow stopping or face fees and penalties, but putting GPS technology to work for the city will hopefully have people back to business as usual much faster.

Hoboken Food Trucks Must Have GPS

Harriette Halepis — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:18:46 +0000

Food trucks are something of a staple in New York City. Just a few miles across the river, food trucks have been popping up in Hoboken, New Jersey too. This past summer, Hoboken residents benefited from a bevvy of great food trucks, and food truck owners benefited from tidy profits. While food trucks will be allowed to line up on city streets again this summer, the laws in Hoboken have changed drastically. Now, food truck owners must choose between a four-day parking permit or a seven-day parking permit. In addition, all food trucks in Hoboken must be equipped with a GPS tracker.

Prior to this new law, food vendors each paid $500 for a food cart permit. Now, vendors will have to shell out $1600 for a 4-day permit and $2500 for a seven-day permit. In addition, the cost of a GPS tracker must be considered.Why do vendors need to have GPS trackers? The city of Hoboken told press that GPS is the only way for law enforcement to keep track of trucks…and enforce vendor laws in the process.

Needless to say, many vendors are outraged by these new prices. Further, most people who run food trucks simply can’t afford these prices — consider the vendor who wants to park in Hoboken for one month!

As a result of these new laws, many food vendors are leaving the Hoboken area. Even though Hoboken residents support food trucks in droves, the revenues generated from food sales are not enough to keep vendors afloat. Many food truck vendors will be moving to different parts of New Jersey, and some will take a chance in NYC. While the cost of running a food cart is on the low side (as compared to running a restaurant), these prices are simply too steep for those slinging good eats to adhere to.

If you live in Hoboken, you can expect to find a lot less food truck offerings this year as compared to last year. Seemingly, if you want to grab some food from your favorite food cart, you may have to drive to Brooklyn or some other NYC borough.

Photo by Phillip Pessar via Flickr Creative Commons

Implementing GPS Technology on State Cars

Hillary Mayfield — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:00:19 +0000

Every year, thousands, if not millions, of dollars are wasted on the maintenance and usage of state-owned vehicles. An auditor for the state of Illinois raised many issues and concerns on this topic that he believes might easily be addressed with the use of GPS technology. In a struggling economy, people are looking for ways to save and the answer may just be in the satellites.

The Report
Auditor General William Holland filed a report analyzing the usage and cost of Illinois’s fleet of 16,600 vehicles in 2010. He found that this massive fleet costs the state $129 million a year, but he also expressed concern over the under-usage of some vehicles and the inaccurate record keeping of the drivers, which represents funds wasted. He found that of 100 cars studied, one-fourth were not driven the 7,000 miles deemed necessary to warrant its being part of the fleet; in total, about two of every five cars in the fleet could be relinquished. He also found that 5,100 heavily used vehicles had been assigned to employees who drove them back and forth to work every day from their homes with commutes accounting for 30 percent of the miles used on almost of half of these vehicles.

The Resolution
One seemingly quick and easy solution is to use mileage reimbursements for state employees using their own cars, but this raises insurance issues as well as issues of inaccurate record keeping, again adding up to waste and fraud. A far superior answer is to install GPS tracking devices on state-owned vehicles to give a more accurate record of actual miles driven and destinations; currently, only the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority and the Workers Compensation Commission use GPS units on their vehicles, raising questions about the State’s sincerity in cutting the budget.
Government’s answer to these issues is often to raise taxes to cover the cost; however, this is a solution taxpayers are not likely to swallow, particularly in this economy. Though it may cost to install tracking devices in all state-owned vehicles, the data collected may help cut costs in the long run by eliminating unnecessary vehicles from Illinois’s fleet. GPS tracking is accurate, reliable, and well worth the investment.

Supreme Court Debates Legality of Warrantless GPS Tracking

Lynetta Bowen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:58:06 +0000

In a case likely to cause reverberations throughout the nation, the Supreme Court prepares to determine whether or not it is constitutional for police to track the movements of suspected criminals using a GPS tracking device without a warrant. While law enforcement departments across the country have already taken advantage of the devices to aid them in surveillance operations, this case stands out due to the unique circumstances surrounding the tracking and subsequent arrest.
In United States v. Jones, Antoine Jones stood accused of trafficking cocaine in the Washington, D.C. area. Police obtained a warrant to place a GPS tracking device on Jones’ car for the purpose of following his movements through the city. The warrant was valid for ten days, but police were unable to install the device until the eleventh day.

Using evidence obtained with the GPS unit, Jones was arrested and subsequently convicted. Because the device was installed after the original warrant expired, questions arise regarding the legality and constitutionality of admitting the evidence to court.
The Fourth Amendment of the constitution states that “the right of the people to be secure…against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated.” Such searches must be made only under the authority of a warrant which clearly states the place to be searched and the items to be seized. The use of GPS tracking devices to follow the movements of suspected criminals has admittedly fallen into a gray area when it comes to the issue of constitutionality.

Proponents of the practice claim that since the devices can provide no information about what is happening inside the vehicle or inside the garage in which a vehicle may be parked, its use is no different from asking an officer to follow the individual in a separate car for the purpose of observing his movements. Those who oppose warrantless GPS tracking argue that placing any type of surveillance device on a person’s vehicle without his knowledge and consent is, in the absence of a warrant, a violation of his constitutional right to privacy.
Two federal appeals courts have already reached opposing decisions on the issue of warrantless GPS tracking, meaning that the Supreme Court’s decision in this case will likely create far-reaching ripples. Whichever way the Court decides, law enforcement departments nationwide will feel the impact in their day to day surveillance practices and operational procedures.

Photo Courtesy of MethTICALman through Flickr Creative Commons

Snap! Your License Plate Has Been Added to a Database

Harriette Halepis — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:00:55 +0000

You’ve probably seen them – those cameras that are placed on small roads and major highways alike. Not only have you probably seen these cameras, but you probably know that a photograph of your license plate is being snapped when you pass one. No problems yet, right? Well, did you know that every time a license plate photograph is taken, the license plate is added to a massive database?

Authorities in many states are collecting license plate numbers and adding these numbers to a large database. This collection aims to help police pinpoint kidnappers, thieves, and all kinds of other criminals. Yet, snapping a photo or your license plate and adding it to a database also allows police to keep tabs on you.

There’s nothing necessarily illegal about these license plate databases. However, some people feel that being added to such a large collection of plates is something to be concerned about. With all of the privacy worries crossing people’s minds these days (social networks, cell phones, random tracking), many wonder if a database that can easily track any car is an invasion of privacy.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has taken issue with plate photos. According to the ACLU, these plate photos are tracking innocent people at all hours of the day – just think about how many times you pass an exposed (or hidden) camera. Police can easily piece together where you have been throughout any given day by using this information – whether or not you’ve actually done anything wrong.

It’s hard to determine whether or not police are justified in their license plate actions. On the one hand, snapping pictures of plates can help track down a kidnapper or criminal of another sort. On the other hand, should innocent people be tracked?

Photo Courtesy of Joelk75 via Flick Creative Commons

Man Steals Ambulance, Briefly.

Harriette Halepis — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:00:45 +0000

Last Wednesday eve, a man in Alberta decided to take an ambulance for a joy ride. The man didn’t get very far, since authorities were able to track his every move thanks to a GPS tracking system that was installed on the ambulance earlier this year. Before authorities could stop the man, a short chase ensued which involved the ambulance in a hit and run accident.

While nobody was hurt during this incident, it does bring two important points to mind. The first point being that attempting to steal an ambulance is never a good idea, since it’s very easy for police to locate a colorful ambulance. The second point is that with GPS tracking technology, vehicle thieves (of any kind) can’t get very far. If you happen to run a hospital, own a fleet, or have any kind of vehicle, take a moment to consider what GPS tracking technology can do for you.

The ambulance that was taken was recovered in record time, and the suspect (unnamed) is now in police custody.

NY Court: State Had a Right to Track Employer’s Private Vehicle

Harriette Halepis — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:00:58 +0000

In 2008, the state of New York placed a GPS tracking device on Michael Cunningham’s car. The vehicle that Cunningham was driving at the time was not a state vehicle. When accused of spending work hours doing other things, Cunningham discovered that a tracked had been placed on his car. Out of anger, he decided to bring the state of New York to court.

Yesterday, a New York court upheld the state’s decision to use GPS technology to track Cunningham. The court found that Cunningham’s employer was justified in his actions, since Cunningham has been caught falsify time sheets prior to the GPS tracking incident. In defense of Michael Cunningham is the New York Civil Liberties Union.

The Civil Liberties Union plans to bring the case to a top New York court. The Union expects a top-level New York court to see this case in a different light. Union attorneys argue that Cunningham was illegally tracked, and that the state did not have a right to track Cunningham’s personal vehicle – regardless of his behavior during work hours.

Interestingly, police are not allowed to place a GPS tracking device on a vehicle in the state of New York without a warrant. This ruling was made in 2009 by the New York Court of Appeals. Based on this fact, some wonder how a mid-level court could rule in favor of the state when authorities don’t have a similar right.

Cunningham’s case will now be brought to a high-level NY court. It’s safe to say that many employers and employees alike are closely watching this case for the final verdict.

Unique Tracking Program Gives Insurance Discounts

Admin — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:00:28 +0000

GPS tracking devices might soon be lowering your car insurance premiums. A unique new program gives a “pay-as-you-drive” spin on insurance. This new program involves a GPS tracking device being installed on the vehicle. The tracking device enables the insurance company to monitor the vehicle’s every move, giving them a pretty clear picture of the individual’s driving habits. This information can then be used by the insurance provider to determine a fair insurance premium.
Good or Bad?

Many people are uncomfortable with their insurance company have such detailed information about their driving habits and travels, viewing it as an invasion of privacy.
But New Jersey software programmer Saman Javasekara embraced this new program. After installing the GPS tracking device on his vehicle, he received a 23% discount from Progressive. Like Javasekara, many people who put aside their concerns will find themselves very pleased with the discount that they receive.
How It Works
This tracking program gathers pieces of information that are particularly important to insurance companies, such as how often the vehicle is driven, the distance the vehicle is driven, and how often the driver stops suddenly. Drivers who know that their moves are being monitored will keep focused on their driving. This new tracking program encourages less frequent driving in addition to safer driving. If programs like this become popular, people will be more likely to carpool and to walk or ride a bike to close locations, which would cut down on congestion and pollution.
This tracking system uses the car’s computerized diagnostic port, so it cannot be used in cars that were made before 1996.
Although the technology is still relatively new, using a GPS tracking device in a vehicle is not a completely new concept. State Farm uses GPS tracking devices in the vehicles that they insure, but they only use the trackers for roadside assistance. They do not use the devices in any way to calculate insurance rates.

Article Written by Janice Grover