Rocky Mountain Tracking

Daily GPS News

MA: Cops Slow to Implement GPS in Cruisers

June 11th, 2013

So many different industries rely upon GPS tracking devices for their fleets: trucking companies; construction companies; transportation services; delivery drivers; and law enforcement to name a few. Most business owners who operate a fleet of vehicles knows that the best way to ensure they are saving money while keeping their employees safe and honest is to rely on GPS tracking.

When it comes to emergency response and law enforcement, GPS tracking offers swifter response times and reduced costs. Dispatchers will attest to this. However, in MA, it seems the value of GPS tracking of police cars i yet to be understood.

Trouble Implementing GPS

In Central Massachusetts, Westminster, Holden, Leominster, and Ashburnham are the few out of 20 police departments within the state that use GPS devices in their cruisers. Recently, Lowell officers agreed to the installation of the devices in their vehicles.

When you look at the entire Central MA region, however, you see that there are some cities that have begun to implement the system but are unfinished. For example, Templeton purchased GPS devices, but contract negotiations are holding up the activation process according to Chief David H. Whitaker.

According to Fitchburg Police spokesman Sgt. Glenn Fossa, GPS devices were installed in their cruisers over a year ago, but have not been activated.

In Shrewsbury, police Chief James J. Hester Jr. points out that although they implemented GPS seven years ago, technical difficulties have forced the system offline. Apparently, the company that outfitted his department is no longer in business, so their IT department is looking for an economical replacement.

The Value of GPS

While some officers find GPS devices a way to spy on their actions, most of them will agree that it is a great way to keep officers safe and out of trouble. An example: Westminster Police Chief Salvatore Albert said a civilian accused an officer of speeding after her vehicle, pulling out of a parking lot, crashed into the cruiser. The GPS device was referenced, and it was discovered that officer was actually driving below the speed limit.

There are those departments that use them to keep officers from conducting personal business while in uniform, according to Mr. Donnelly, former prosecutor in the Worcester district attorney’s office. However, police unions have fought against this. They are especially against undercover officers using them, as well as those cops that must take a cruiser home with them.

Said Mr. Donnelly, “The question becomes, with that, is that public record? I might not want my name and address known.”

It remains to be seen if all of Massachusetts will catch on, or if they will dismiss the GPS tracking device as a useful tool to protect their officers’ reputations and their lives as well.

GPS Fleet Tracking Lends a Competitive Edge to Businesses

June 5th, 2013

Using GPS tracking in fleet vehicles can vastly improve efficiency and lower delivery costs for companies. That’s why many fleet managers are stepping away from radio communication and clipboards to embrace the newer technology: on-board GPS equipment for their vehicles. Advantages are myriad, including greater employee accountability, lowering fuel costs and travel time, and improved customer service. Many GPS platforms can now coordinate a variety of web-enabled communication avenues, including texting and messaging directly to the GPS device in the vehicle, so a fleet manager can always be in touch with drivers.

Driver Accountability

Tracking technology enables fleet managers to keep an eye on how employees’ travel time is spent. If drivers are accountable via GPS, they are less likely to make unauthorized stops or detours on company time. Furthermore, a fleet manager can analyze a driver’s route and decide whether a new route would save time or gas.

Lowered Fuel Costs and Time Well-Spent

Fuel costs and travel time can be minimized via the use of GPS fleet tracking. If a driver is spending too much time idling or is speeding, both activities that increase fuel consumption, the fleet manager can address the issue so that fuel costs can be kept in line. If traffic is heavy on the current route, a manager can find a way around the obstacle by planning an alternate route, thereby keeping the vehicle moving and on its way rather than consuming fuel by waiting. In addition, managers can get faster roadside assistance to drivers if the malfunction location can be pinpointed. With GPS tracking, a fresh vehicle can be dispatched to the location to get the driver back on the road as quickly as possible, saving time in the process.

Improved Customer Service

Tracking can improve customer service, too. If a customer is waiting on a high-priority delivery or pickup, a manager can locate and dispatch the fleet vehicle in the closest proximity to decrease the customer’s wait time. By having the capability to locate and track a vehicle, a fleet manager can also give the customer an estimated time of its arrival and plan the most efficient routes based on the current location of the driver, getting the vehicle to the destination in the shortest amount of time.

GPS fleet tracking is a viable option for fleets of any size because of its relative simplicity and its potential to give managers the control they need for maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

GPS Tracking To Keep Employees Honest

May 1st, 2013

More and more, employers are watching where their workers are going in their company vehicles. It makes sense from an employer standpoint, but what do employees think?

Tracking Employees

Employers stand much to gain from relying on GPS devices to track their workers. Just the fact you can save a substantial amount of money in excessive, unnecessary wear and tear makes it a winning choice in an effort to add to your profit margin. It only adds to the value of the GPS tracking device when you know your drivers are making it on time to their destination, and not misreporting their time.

The general manager of Auckland’s Drain Repair Company in New Zealand can attest to its value. Ryan Lusty said that for the price of $1000 per vehicle, GPS tracking devices were installed in every one of its fleet six years ago. The purpose of the GPS devices was to monitor the location of the workers, how long they were taking to finish jobs and move on to the next location, and their rate of speed.

“The reason why we put them is just to stop the extra travel, because the vehicles do get abused if you can’t see them,” he said. “They will shoot to the city in the middle of the night or something stupid like that. Now we know how long they are on jobs for, and if they have gone the best, shortest way to a job.”

Of course, the employees weren’t pleased with the decision to install the GPS devices, according to Lusty.

“At the start the guys weren’t very happy about it, obviously, but everybody has got used to it now and it’s standard practice. Everybody knows it’s there and they are work vehicles and that’s it. Everybody knows we are watching them at all times,” said Lusty.

All over New Zealand, workers are being called out for their misdeeds thanks to GPS fleet tracking. For example, in Nelson, a man responsible for maintenance for Downer was caught going home hours before he was claiming on his time sheet, often falsely claiming overtime when he was really relaxing at home on the couch. In Whangarei, a linesman working on street lights was also discovered falsely reporting hours, where the work vehicle was shown sitting in his driveway at home. Both men were fired.

David Lowe is the employment services manager for the EMA, and he says that employers “don’t like catching employees doing bad things…so the best practice is to discuss it with them, discuss what the system can do. We would rather people realize themselves that if they are doing something that maybe they shouldn’t, it will get picked up.”

GPS Tracking To Keep Employees Honest

April 22nd, 2013

More and more, employers are watching where their workers are going in their company vehicles. It makes sense from an employer standpoint, but what do employees think?

Of course, the employees weren’t pleased with the decision to install the GPS devices, according to Lusty.

Freedom from GPS Fleet Tracking

February 7th, 2013

The introduction or discussion of GPS fleet tracking has been met with varying responses from employers and employees. As specific industries and government-funded departments have decided to implement this new technology, opinions ranging from causes to freedoms to taxpayers’ money continue to abound—and to clash.

Some people, simply by personality, negatively react to the idea of accountability and control inherent within the establishment of GPS fleet tracking; however, the new technology seems to be spreading and attracting more supporters. Could a shift in thinking possibly help those in opposition see such changes as bringing more freedom instead of less?

Opportunity to Build Trust

Employees who accept the ramifications of GPS fleet tracking and function within the guidelines of the company can actually become highly trusted. Building trust in the employer-employee relationship has become increasingly difficult as employees in all industries have become less location-based. Even cubicles may become a thing of the past as employers continue to discover the increased productivity among satellite employees. As employees demonstrate their trustworthiness through the data collected by GPS fleet tracking systems, employers in general may become more comfortable with entrusting company equipment and responsibilities to off-site employees who have proved to be dependable.

Ability to Respond to Accusations

GPS fleet tracking being installed on municipal vehicles in Berkley Heights, New Jersey is actually viewed by some as a protection for employees. According to the Township Administrator, GPS fleet tracking will give an opportunity for employee’s uses of taxpayer-funded vehicles to be explained. When residents become suspicious about where they see the vehicles, they can voice their complaints and receive straight answers. Employees that are sent on special, work-related missions won’t have to worry about false accusations arising as they accomplish their work.

Automatic Record Keeping

As GPS tracking expands, company-owned vehicles can essentially keep their own records. While this obviously saves time in calculating miles and provides accountability for vehicle use, it also eliminates the concern for human error or intentional deception. As advocates of GPS fleet tracking have pointed out, the company who owns the vehicle has the right to know exactly how the vehicle is being used. In the long run, this automatic record can provide the employees with the freedom to use the vehicle in all the ways needed to get their jobs done.

Safe Commercial Driving with New GPS Technology

January 18th, 2013

Navman Wireless has created a new GPS device that will ensure safe driving on the roads for any commercial driver. The Qube 4 GPS fleet tracking unit has many unique features that will allow the manager of the fleet to monitor the driving of each member of the fleet. Managers will be able to more accurately respond, locate, and track the drivers anywhere within the reception range of the device.

One great feature of this new GPS system is that it can track the overall speed of the driver at any given time during his commute. The manager of the fleet will be able to set a standard speed limit into the device and if the driver exceeds that speed limit, an alarm will sound to both the driver and the manager. This provides a safer driving environment for both the driver and others cars on the road.

Another feature that this is similar to tracking the speed is being able to track the whereabouts of the vehicle. The GPS device will transmit back to the manager any amount of idling time. Because of this unique feature, the manager will be able to make changes to the route of the driver to provide for a more efficient travel route. Also, this will ensure that the manager has hired a responsible worker that is not wasting the company’s time or money on useless, unnecessary stops. Thirdly, if the driver were to need assistance, this device would allow the manager to pinpoint where they are and be able to respond faster to the driver.

his device is also able to connect to a satellite communications network in cases where the company or driver is in a remote location. When the vehicle moves outside of a normal coverage zone for the Next G network, then the device can be preprogrammed to switch to satellite communications. This feature also allows for more efficient use of the driver and manager time because there is always a way to get in contact with the driver and the manager will always know the vehicle’s location. Installing this new device in the vehicle’s of a fleet will create more efficient and, most importantly, safer routes for each of the drivers.

FL: Palm Beach County Considering GPS Devices For School Buses

January 15th, 2013

Palm Beach County, FL is the latest school district in the country to approve the installation of GPS tracking devices on the county’s school buses, giving parents the ability to see exactly where their child’s school bus is at any given time.

The Palm Beach County school board voted in favor of installing the GPS devices on a little over half of the buses in its fleet. The estimated cost of the devices and their installation is $500,000.

Parents weren’t completely on board with the idea, stating that they felt the money would be better spent in the classroom, especially after there were numerous cuts by the state to the education budget. Another point raised by opponents to the plan: Broward County, who also installed GPS tracking devices on their buses back in 2007.

After spending close to $1 million for installation of the devices on their entire fleet, the district found out the software upgrade cost more than they had anticipated. They were unable to upgrade as they could not afford it.

However, St. Lucie County has been tracking their buses via GPS device since 2006, and said they have had a very positive experience, and have even saved money because of it. According to a district spokesperson, “The addition of GPS has allowed the St. Lucie transportation department to review maps and routes and coincide the planned routes to the actual usage. This both saves time and provides parents and students a better expectation on bus arrival and pickup times.”

St. Lucie County said the GPS devices give them the ability to monitor the buses, as well as train staff on important issues like security and safety.

In 2014, the board will decide if they are ready to spend an additional $500,000 in order to outfit the remainder of the fleet with GPS devices.

GPS Tracking and the Trucking Industry

January 8th, 2013

GPS tracking has revolutionized the trucking industry in recent years. Gone are the days of drivers’ filling out complicated and time-consuming log books, struggles to find destination directions en route, and coverage of a load delivery in case of illness or family emergency.

How does GPS tracking improve the efficiency of long-haul drivers?

Automatic electronic logging of the driver’s minute-by-minute activities has replaced completing it by hand. The GPS tracking device installed within the truck records when the driver is moving or stopped, for how long and how fast. Knowing he is being monitored, the data discourages the driver from either spending too much time off duty on break or encourages him to follow D.O.T. regulations requiring him to pull over after a long shift and get the proper amount of rest—to prevent drowsy driving and vehicular accidents. The driver is also held accountable for the speed at which he travels; GPS tracking records whether he is breaking speed limits and will notify his superiors.

GPS tracking also enables service team leaders to plot the most fuel-saving and quickest route for each of their drivers. Because electronic tracking is of-the-moment, those routes can change as construction or highway accidents require, and GPS trackers aren’t always 100% reliable or updated along with new roadways.

Sometimes a driver is contacted about an emergency requiring his presence back home. Because all drivers are GPS tracked, and service team leaders know the exact time and location of each, managers can dispatch a nearby driver to pick up the original load and continue its transportation so the driver can come back immediately.

How does GPS tracking improve the shipment of products?

It’s not unusual for products to get misplaced or left behind somewhere while in transit. With GPS trackers installed with each load, companies can find and follow their shipments at each step of the way. Such monitoring minimizes the likelihood of a mistake during transportation; the product can be easily found at any time and ensured to be put on the right truck.

Companies can also use overall data from GPS tracking to determine at what times of year each product is in more demand (or less) and use the findings to more efficiently ship supplies as the market requires.

Follow That Truck!: GPS Guides Commercial Trucking

December 15th, 2012

The sight of two 18-wheeler trucks rumbling beside a small car causes panic for many drivers who fear getting hit. But truck drivers may fear a collision just as much. How would they tell their manager about the accident? How would they find a quicker route to make up for the delay and still deliver the products to the business on time? Who will help guide them?

Getting There with GPS

GPS technology has begun to guide commercial trucking fleets of various companies. Of course, hundreds of little hand-held GPS units can’t do the job. So, business managers and government officials are trying to employ integrated GPS tracking receivers onto fleets of 18-wheelers to continuously monitor their routes as they travel through the busy state highways in order to deliver their products. While only a handful of technology companies offer fleet-wide tracking, the need for GPS on trucks is growing.

Moving Along the Road with GPS

During long road trips, trucks often encounter unexpected delays, such as weather, traffic and accidents. It can be difficult for a driver to send information to or receive information from the base in a timely manner. With GPS-enhanced trailer trucks, the system allows both sides to communicate real-time data. The base sends information that downloads into the truck’s GPS system. This allows the driver to choose another route to avoid traffic delays. To ensure safety on the road, the GPS system can even record and send to the base driver speed and safety data. To further protect the trailer and its products, the GPS can receive warning messages if the security cameras that monitor the intersections, as well as the entrance and docking bays of the destination, detect any problems.

Reaching to the Future of GPS Tracking

Integrated GPS technology offers many possibilities for the future of commercial truck fleets. Fleet transportation managers could create more efficient routes that avoid common traffic blocks. Real-time GPS updates could automatically divert routes without driver input. Most importantly, government officials could use the data collected from GPS-enabled trucks to create bridges, roads, and highways that align with the traffic patterns. That way, construction could be more efficient, thus saving costs and time for the state and the workers. Perhaps the best benefit of integrating GPS into commercial trucks is the even greater assurance that the trucks beside the car drive safely and confidently to their destination.

Safer County Drivers in Pima County, Arizona Thanks to GPS

November 5th, 2012

Pima County is the latest to realize the benefits of installing GPS devices in fleet vehicles, placing the devices on approximately 800 of their vehicles including 97 pieces of heavy equipment. This will aid the County in encouraging safe driving among their employees, while at the same time giving them the power to find any of these vehicles at any time.

The county can now check in on each vehicle and determine its location and speed, as well as monitoring the fleet for engine idle time, harsh accelerating or braking, harsh turn, and whether or not the employees are wearing their seat belts. They can use the information collected from the GPS devices to weed out the problem drivers and help them correct the problem.

When a problem arises and the County notices unusual travel patterns or unsafe driving behaviors, a GPS incident report is sent to the driver’s manager. At this point, the manager brings the concern to the driver, pointing out the poor driving behavior in the hopes of correcting it.

GPS tracking is yet another check and balance, and goes hand-in-hand with the “How’s My Driving?” hotline sticker located on the rear of each County vehicle. If a citizen calls in a complaint about one of their drivers, the information collected from the GPS device will either confirm the complaint or disprove it altogether, as it did in a recent case. A resident called to inform the County about “Ten Pima County employees sitting around all day and five trucks parked in Amado,” according to County Administrator Chuck Huckleberry. After reviewing the GPS data, however, it was discovered no DOT vehicles were ever in the area. All other county vehicles were also checked just in case, but none were found to be in that specific area at any point that day, either.

The County knows that the GPS devices also ensure safety of the employees as well. As an example, the Health Department sends its inspectors out each day, a fleet of 20 vehicles in all, to inspect motels, hotels, restaurants, swimming pools, mobile home parks, and to investigate complaints about mosquitoes and rodents. “We have inspectors out in remote areas. Using GPS, we can make sure they’re safe, and that they’re on their way back to the office after the inspection,” said Program Manager with Consumer Health and Food Safety, Jeff Terrell.

Huckleberry sums up the reasons to include GPS devices as part of your fleet: “Because of GPS, we know where our vehicles are 24/7. It’s all about efficiency, management, control, and safety.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.