Rocky Mountain Tracking

By Greg Bartlett

Alzheimer’s Disease is a condition in which elderly people can gradually lose their short term memory. The trouble with this is that everything we do involves our short term memory. When this happens to the elderly they become much more easily confused and disorientated. They forget why they are in the place they find themselves and can sometimes wander off in search of a long lost childhood home. It is vital to keep track of these vulnerable individuals.

GPS tracking systems use satellite technology to track the position of something on the Earth. There are over twenty satellites in space which allow for tracking positioning by transmitting signals back to Earth. These continuous signals have certain information including the exact position of the satellite and a time stamp, etc. The GPS systems that we use often use four of these satellite signals to find their own exact location. Although three signals would be enough, the fourth one confirms the signals from the other three. If it was not there, then even a tiny mistake could be exaggerated hundreds of times.

Did you know that there is a personal gps tracking device for Alzheimer patients to wear? Recently in Canada, a residential home was alerted because one of its patients had gone missing. Mr. Thomas has been an Alzheimer sufferer for eight years now and is very easily confused and disoriented. The alarm was raised at five o’clock when his nurse came to give him his medicine before tea. No-one had any idea how long he had been gone and no-one had seen him leave. Mr. Thomas was fitted with an Alzheimer GPS bracelet.

The personal GPS tracking device has a perimeter alarm. That is, if the wearer goes outside a certain secure zone, then alarms sound in the central control centre. It also has a geographical positional locator which can pinpoint the exact location of the wearer. These bracelets also have SIM cards with a transmitter and receiver attached so that the missing person can be addressed through the system.

The alarms had not sounded because Mr. Thomas had not actually wandered outside the secure zone. But he was completely missing and concerns for his health were growing because he had missed his medication and there was only a window of a few hours to find him. Using the communicator, they were able to question the still-conscious Mr. Thomas and ask him to describe his surroundings. He had stumbled into the store room of the residential home, where no-one thought to look for him but once this was realized, he was soon found.

By Greg Bartlett

Hiking and camping are two very popular pastimes in this country. With thousands of square miles of wilderness area open to these activities, it is easy to see how a person could become lost or not be found before it was too late in the event of a serious injury. This is where GPS tracking can be a big help to lost campers and hikers in the case of an injury.

Most people today carry cell phones with them everywhere they go. Many hikers and campers are now going out with the latest in GPS technology to keep track of their location and aid in navigating back out of the wilderness area when the trip is over. In either case, these people have in their hands a very powerful tool that could save their lives in the event they are injured during a long hiking or camping trip.

If a person is embarking on a trip into the wilderness that is expected to last for a week or longer, it is a good idea to have someone who is able to track the movements of an individual via GPS in addition to whatever cell phone tracking device the person may be carrying to tell himself where he is. This way, if the person falls and is injured or unconscious, the signal will show zero movement for an extended time that alerts the watcher of the possibility of injury. The watcher can then summon aid and give them the exact location of the missing hiker or camper.

If the injured camper is not unconscious, he can try to call out on his cell phone or activate a help signal in the GPS device he is carrying that will alert someone to the fact that assistance is needed at this location. From the viewpoint of the rescuers, knowing exactly where they are going to within a few feet makes their job much easier. Instead of spending a lot of time putting together search parties to try and locate the individual, rescuers can move in a more direct fashion to the location of the downed person and render aid in a more timely manner that could save someone’s life.

GPS tracking has proven its worth in several different arenas, from aiding in the recovery of stolen vehicles to asset tracking for large corporations. Following the movements of campers and hikers and signaling in the event of an accident or injury is just another way that GPS cell phone tracking is becoming an invaluable tool.

By Greg Bartlett

We have all heard of GPS tracking devices being installed in vehicles and on heavy equipment to deter thefts and assist in recovery if the item is stolen. In today’s world, however, this technology may have found an entirely new use.

A Champaign, Illinois man with a diagnosis of tuberculosis has recently been ordered into isolation to prevent him spreading the disease while he is being treated. A GPS tracking device is being used to track his movements and he will be arrested for violating a court order if he travels anywhere outside his home.

Reading this story has brought to mind another question, could tracking devices be used to track prisoners who have been ordered into house arrest? The current system used with house arrest prisoners includes an electronic tether that alerts police in the event that the prisoner violates the house arrest order. The down side is that the electronic tether does not track the movements of the prisoner other than sounding this alarm.

If GPS tracking technology becomes the accepted norm for tracking prisoners on house arrest, the savings to the states could be astronomical. Prisoners might even be allowed to leave home and follow a direct route to their job and back home, an act which could significantly cut the costs the states incur for feeding and housing non violent prisoners.

This technology has already proven its value in the arena of tracking the movements of employees in company owned vehicles and allowing details, such as speed of travel, to be monitored. It has also proven invaluable in assisting the recovery of stolen vehicles and saving lives by making it possible to get emergency personnel to an accident scene in a timely manner.

If courts start imposing GPS tracking devices as a means to limit the movements of individuals to ensure the control of a communicable disease, it seems that the next logical step would be to utilize this technology to enforce house arrest on prisoners that have not been shown to have violent tendencies that would endanger the general public. Not having to house and feed these prisoners in state facilities would have many financial benefits for the states. Allowing the least violent of criminals to be able to continue to work in their chosen jobs with supervision and tracking their movements to and from would also reduce the need for states to provide assistance to the families of these prisoners in the form of welfare assistance.

By Chris O’Toole

As a student at The King’s College, I couldn’t be happier. I mean my classes are in the Empire State Building, I never have to drive a car, there is a Starbucks on every corner, my apartment has a terrace that overlooks all of New York City, and I meet thousands of different people every day.

My one complaint? Well, it would have to be the mugging. However, now I realize that GPS has my back. The World’s Finest began the utilization of GPS into their daily routine. I witnessed this firsthand while I was walking back from a late class and, as usual, I was petrified of being jumped at any moment.

On this brisk evening with a full moon overhead, my fears were confirmed. He lurched at me moments after I had crossed the street. As he donned fully black attire, he never registered within my perception. I gladly gave up all of my possessions in exchange for my health and I believed that would be the last time I saw my belongings.

However, unbeknownst to me or the robber, a police officer saw him. Instead of alerting the thief, the officer phoned in and told dispatch where the perpetrator was heading. Satellite positioning soon picked up on his location and watched him.

The mugger thought it was his lucky day and that he had just run away undetected with a fortune. That smile fell from his face when the cops searched his building and kicked in his door. No violence, no gunfire, no screaming, no mess. The best part was that I received all of my belongings back without any physical injury or risk to myself or others. With a GPS personal tracking device, I can enjoy the city during the day and night. In addition, I don’t have to make my problem the city’s problem.

GPS tracking technology is not just for serious business, it is also being used quite often for play.

Geocaching is a high tech, modern-day version of a scavenger hunt and the whole world is playing. Using a handheld GPS device, you can join in the fun of searching for hidden objects using clues that you have obtained online.

Geocaching has its own etiquette. Since this is a game for families and people of all ages, you should not hide anything that is risque or something sharp like a knife. And once you have tracked down a cache, you are asked to make a even or better exchange by leaving a item of equal or greater value to replace what you have taken from the cache. After you find a cache, you are also asked to make a record of your experience by writing in the logbook you find at the cache and by also making note of your find online.

People playing this GPS-aided scavenger hunt are using handheld GPS devices and these are not the same as the GPS tracking devices that Rocky Mountain Tracking sells, but they still demonstrate the power of GPS tracking technology. When an object need to be found , GPS tracking can help. The handheld GPS devices can help find geocache items buried deep in the ground. A GPS tracking device can keep track of an object even in hard to reach locations.

If you are need to keep track of or find something then you want a GPS tracking device that can pinpoint movement and give you an accurate record of what moved where and when. We don’t like to think about out property being stolen, but it is good to know that we have a way to get it back should something like that occur. And it is not always theft you have to worry about: some business owners have found that GPS tracking alerted them to the ways in which their employees were misusing equipment.

For example you can use GPS tracking as an anti-theft solution to keep an eye on your equipment because you cannot be with it at all times. You have the option of buying a GPS tracking system to track your equipment on a continuing basis or one that works on-demand, giving you location information only when you need it.

By RMT GPS News

Researchers at the University of the West of England, Bristol, found that an in-car information system from GPS could improve the safety of older drivers, according to Science Daily.

Older drivers currently face difficulty with reading signs which distracts their focus from the road causing them to driver slower. It’s believed that an information system in the vehicle advising them of road signs could increase their reaction time. The system would display road signs, track the vehicles position, and give audible notifications of events, such as, speed, speed limit changes, etc.

Researchers also believe this would build their confidence and give them continued independence. A survey was conducted among 65 to 85 year old men and women. It was determined there was a positive psychological effect with those who were still driving as the freedom gave them a better quality of life.

On the other side there are advocates against older drivers who are trying to place limitations on them. A system is currently in development that will put restrictions on senior’s driving. It would regulate speed and distance between vehicles. A survey shows strong opposition to this new system that would restrict drivers.

Although, the in-car information system utilizing GPS has created favorable interest among many, Dr. Charles Musselwhite, who led the study says, “Our research highlights issues that have been overlooked by car designers and those advising older people on lifestyles.” He also points out that his primary objective is to promote safe driving and independence.

Dr. Charles Musselwhite is not alone in his findings. Researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have found that seniors who continue driving are less likely to enter nursing homes or assisted living centers than those who have never driven or have given up on driving. An increase in senior independence also makes sense from a financial perspective as nursing homes are costing patients approximately $69,000 annually. The Hopkins study findings were published by the American Journal of Public Health. The study was conducted over a 10-year period 1,593 seniors between 65 and 84 years of age.

“We hope that understanding the very real health impact that losing the ability to drive has on seniors will encourage families to plan contingencies to assist elderly members with transportation issues,” says Ellen Freeman, Ph.D., an epidemiological researcher at Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute.

Technology developed by Mobileye already offers the ability that could increase the safety of seniors behind the wheel. Their camera-based safety solution for accident prevention offers audible alerts, such as, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and headway monitoring and warning.

The promotion of safe driving by seniors with the use of GPS is not a completely new concept. “It has been our belief for several years that the implementation of GPS tracking technology will improve safety among older drivers and give them the freedom they deserve,” says Brad Borst, President of Rocky Mountain Tracking, Inc., which is one of the leading GPS tracking companies in the United States. In fact, they have written many articles to introduce the idea, such as: Keeping Track of Elderly Relatives, and GPS Tracking Can Help Seniors Stay Independent, just to name a couple.

Borst says family members and care givers are most concerned about the SAFETY of older drivers. The company receives numerous reports that older drivers occasionally have a temporary phase of disorientation and need some guidance getting back to a street they are familiar with to get where they are going. This often leads to the senior being stranded without help and a family member worried not knowing where the elderly person is located.

The company’s RMT Rover GPS vehicle tracking system has provided their GPS to hundreds of elderly drivers. The tracking is conveniently accessible online from any computer allowing the senior additional safety and the care giver peace of mind.

When we tell you that installing GPS tracking devices can save you money, many times we are referring to the savings you get when your vehicles are running more efficiently and there is less were and tear on them. The decrease in wear and tear means that your vehicles will need to be repaired less often and will last longer.

However, there are other ways in which GPS tracking systems can help you to save money that do not involve keeping your vehicles in good repair.

One Tampa Bay police department found that some of its officers were attempting to “save” the department money by using the vehicles less…however, they were still harging the department for hours that they did not work. So in reality, they were attempting to defraud their employer. The police department set out to investigate a number of its officers with them aim of getting to the bottom of suspected fraud.
After reviewing records from GPS tracking systems in conjunction with time cards, receipts for gas and records of surveillance, investigators found that four officers were being less than honest about the hours they were working. The investigation showed that one tenth of the officers who were investigated were not being truthful about the hours they were working. On the one hand it is good to know that a majority of the officers are not trying to get more pay than they deserve. Still, though with municipal budgets getting tightened everywhere, municipalities can’t afford to let money be siphoned away in this manner.

The four officers who were found to be padding their work logs with hours that they were not working no longer work for the police department. Three of them retired and one of them was fired.

On the other hand, GPS tracking technology does not only let you know when vehicles are not being used, it can also alert you to unauthorized use of company vehicles. With our software you can not only track but easily establish an alert system for events like a driver going outside of a designated area or staying idle for too long. Idle time and stops at unauthorized locations can become costly for your business; with a GPS system you can ensure that this does not become a problem.

Call Rocky Mountain Tracking at 877-477-9668 to speak with an expert about the GPS tracking system that will work best for your company and help you manage your fleet.

Some areas of Florida will now see a program that is similar to “Amber Alert,” except that it aims to keep senior citizens safe rather than young children.

“Silver Alert” will give information about the physical attributes, as well as the make and model of the missing senior citizen’s car, along with letting the public know where the person was last seen.

Florida is not the only state to enact this program, other states including North Carolina, Texas, Colorado and Michigan also have similar programs. Some of the inspiration for Florida’s Silver Alert program came after a woman in her eighties perished in her car a week after she had driven away from the assisted living facility where she lived.

It is great that some states have decided to enact programs such as Silver Alert to help families keep track of elderly loved ones. But we want you to know that you have options and can implement safety measures of your own whether your state has them or not.

A GPS tracking device can be used to keep track of parents or other elderly loved ones. As the case in Florida demonstrated, an elderly person who is not incapacitated can still come to harm if they wander off the beaten path or somehow become disoriented. Haven’t you been lost yourself? You probably have, but you likely also have a cell phone or perhaps even a GPS tracking device in your car so that you could be found. Don’t you want to do the same for your elderly loved one?

Your family members or the staff at an assisted living facility may not be able to prevent an elderly relative from getting lost, but you can use GPS tracking to make certain that they stay safe.

A personal GPS tracking device can give you up to the minute information about someone’s whereabouts and keep you informed of their movements. This means that your loved one will not have to wander far, for you to be aware that they are not where they are supposed to be. You will not have to endure a heartbreaking search that lasts for days and days and your elderly loved one will not have to go through a prolonged period of disorientation and discomfort.

Call Rocky Mountain Tracking and talk to one of our experts about a GPS tracker.

As we get ready to embrace a new national administration, that new administration is preparing to take up where the previous one left off. From all indications the hand-off will go smoothly, but if you have ever taken over for someone then you know that this is not always the case.

One set of administrators in a Tennessee school system experienced this firsthand a few years ago and we can only hope that things have improved since then. When they took over, they were strapped with a suit from bus drivers who claimed that they had received adequate pay for the extra hours that they had worked. Can you imagine starting a job with a lawsuit on your hands from day one? Those who file the suit said it was aimed at the former administration, but the lawsuit surely brought some headaches when the new group came on board.

For their part, school officials in the previous administration alleged that the bus drivers had doctored the timesheets or filled them our fraudulently in order to claim more pay than they deserved.

Had this school system been using a GPS tracking system to monitor bus routes, they might have been spared this lawsuit. Whether you have a fleet of school buses or a fleet of limos, using GPS tracking for fleet management can aid in accurate record keeping, saving you time and money.

With GPS tracking, you can–
Eliminate paper logs. GPS software keeps a digital log of speed, stops, route, and arrival times. This record is far more accurate and harder to dispute than paper logs. A digital record is not subject to human error. It creates more detailed records without any additional hassle.

Prevent  fraudulent claims. With a good digital log you can prove that your fleet was where it needed to be when it needed to be there

Increase Efficiency. On average, each vehicle could complete at least one extra stop, job, or delivery per week by using the one of our web based systems.

Improve  response time and  customer service. By knowing where your vehicles at all times on a real time map, dispatchers can easily send the nearest vehicle when a new job arises. This saves both money and time.

Monitor  driver activities. Many of Rocky Mountain Tracking’s systems report all vehicle activity and immediately alert fleet managers by cell phone and email of speeding and unauthorized use of company vehicles.

The typical mid-sized moving company has anywhere from 20 to 30 trucks in their inventory, ranging from the small U Haul type of truck to big-rig size trucks for those big moves. With so many trucks driving so many different places, it’s crucial that fleet safety managers have a strong fleet safety program. Besides the normal elements of a safety program such as ongoing safety instruction and awareness and continuous fleet safety maintenance, fleet managers should also ensure that the fleet is installed with the latest and best safety devices. One such device is the Lane Departure Warning system, a necessary ingredient for any successful fleet safety program.

How does it work?
The Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system utilizes a simple enough forward facing camera that’s mounted inconspicuously on the front windshield. This “high-tech” camera then takes continuous pictures of the lane markings and then transmits that information to an electronic chip. That chip then is able to notify the driver of any unintentional lane swerving by both an audible rumbling sound and through a visual alert on the dashboard. This notification can be given to the driver even before he actually moves into the other lane, or if preferred, only once the driver begins to cross the lane. This high-tech system is so advanced that it can even read lane markings during inclement weather such as snow, rain, or a deep fog. Nighttime reading is also no problem for this high-tech device.

Picture the following scenario. Imagine that a moving van driver is caught in traffic and he’s trying to reach his destination in time. He calls his client to tell them that he is stuck in traffic, and without noticing it he swerves into the other lane. He hears a loud honking from a car that he failed to see in that lane. Luckily, he moves back into his lane just before he causes an accident. With the LDW system, this near miss would never have happened. That’s because as soon as the driver starts to unintentionally drift from his lane, he’s alerted by both an audible and visual alert. The near miss is averted and the driver continues on his way.

Driver-based technology systems improve fleet safety by reducing the number of accidents on the road.