Oct 13, 2022
by Steve Smith
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In fleet management, GPS, or global positioning system, acts as a part of telematics systems. It allows business owners and managers to track their fleet in real-time. These systems collated data from multiple touchpoints on a vehicle to provide actionable business insights.
Currently, there are two types of GPS tracking systems available in the market, i.e., logger and live tracker. As the name suggests, a logger records vehicle location data and stores it on a connected storage device. Fleet owners can then connect this disk to a computer and analyze it using proprietary software.
On the other hand, a live tracker continuously sends location and time information to a receiver. Live trackers are used to monitor the real-time location of fleet vehicles and in advanced use cases like route optimization, etc.
If you suspect unethical vehicle tracking, you can look for ways to block the GPS signal, making it impossible to track your location. Here, we how to block vehicle GPS tracking if you are being followed without your consent.
Why are most fleet companies leaning towards GPS vehicle tracking?
GPS vehicle tracking provides a wealth of benefits to fleet management. Listed below are some significant advantages of GPS vehicle tracking system:
1. Improved efficiency: With real-time vehicle tracking, fleet managers can optimize routes, reduce fuel consumption, and increase productivity by monitoring driver behavior.
2. Enhanced safety: GPS tracking can help prevent accidents and ensure the safety of drivers by providing data on speeding, harsh braking, and other risky driving behaviors.
3. Better maintenance: By tracking vehicle usage and engine data, fleet managers can schedule maintenance and repairs more effectively, reducing vehicle downtime and increasing overall efficiency.
4. Improved customer service: With GPS tracking, fleet managers can provide accurate and up-to-date information on delivery times, which helps improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
5. Reduced costs: Fleet managers can reduce fuel and other operational expenses by optimizing routes and monitoring fuel usage, resulting in significant cost savings.
GPS vehicle tracking can give fleet managers the information they need to make better decisions and manage their fleets more effectively, resulting in improved efficiency, safety, and profitability.
Key features of fleet GPS vehicle tracking
Let’s take a look at some crucial features of GPS trackers for fleet vehicles:
1. Real-time location tracking: GPS vehicle tracking allows you to track the exact location of your vehicle in real time, enabling you to monitor the movements of your vehicles and make decisions accordingly.
2. Geofencing: Geofencing is a feature that lets you create virtual boundaries around specific areas on the map. Once you set up a geofence, you will receive an alert when a vehicle enters or exits the specified location.
3. Speed monitoring: GPS vehicle tracking allows you to monitor the speed of your vehicles in real time. You can set up alerts to receive notifications when a vehicle exceeds a specific speed limit, which can help prevent accidents and reduce fuel consumption.
4. Route optimization: GPS vehicle tracking enables you to optimize your routes and ensure that your vehicles take the most efficient routes to their destinations, helping you save time and money.
5. Fuel management: GPS vehicle tracking can help you manage your fuel consumption by providing information on your vehicle’s fuel levels, the distance traveled, and the fuel used.
6. Maintenance schedule: GPS vehicle tracking can help you schedule maintenance tasks by providing information on the health of your vehicles, such as oil levels, tire pressure, and battery life.
7. Driver behavior monitoring: GPS vehicle tracking can help you monitor driver behavior, including speeding, harsh braking, and acceleration. It can help you identify unsafe driving habits and take corrective action.
8. Asset tracking: GPS vehicle tracking can also track other assets, such as trailers or equipment. It can help you ensure that your assets are being used effectively and can help you locate them if they are lost or stolen.
The legality of vehicle GPS tracking
Before implementing GPS for telematics and live tracking, fleet managers should spend some time studying the legality of these solutions.
Essentially, it is legal to use GPS tracking on any asset you or your business entity owns. So vehicles owned by a fleet business can be tracked by the owner. They can use the data for legal proceedings in case of asset misuse.
However, fleet owners must also notify the drivers if a vehicle is under active monitoring. The exact laws change from time to time and from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Therefore, fleet owners looking to install GPS trackers should conduct thorough research beforehand.
How to block vehicle GPS tracking
You might be thinking if GPS tracking would be blocked or how to disable vehicle GPS tracking. GPS technology relies on precise signal transmissions for location and navigation features. So, vehicle tracking using GPS technology can be blocked using jamming devices that interfere with these transmissions.
For instance, wrapping things like aluminum foil around the GPS receiver creates a Faraday Shield, which blocks the GPS signals. Similarly, wet trees and plastic or tin containers filled with thick materials can also scramble these signals. These signals will help you protect your GPS data.
Things to remember when blocking GPS
1. In certain parts of the world, blocking GPS signals is illegal if you do not own the asset. Make sure you consult the appropriate authorities regarding what happens if you remove the GPS tracker on your car.
2. A handheld GPS jammer is equally effective at hiding your location on the virtual map as an embedded one. Therefore, you do not need to hotwire a jammer if you decide to get one. Also, make sure you install one from a professional to avoid damaging other parts of the car.
3. Consult your local law enforcement agency if you are unsure about the current status of your vehicle’s GPS status. You cannot remove GPS trackers installed as part of police enforcement.
Deploy technology wisely for maximum benefits
A GPS receiver must have an unobstructed view of the satellite at all times to function correctly. A jammer sends out interfering radio signals to scramble the GPS signals and disrupt the functionality. Aluminum foils, plastic containers, metal boxes, and other similar items filled with dense materials can act as GPS jammers.
Note that fleet managers and business owners using a fleet management software will get real-time tamper notifications if a customer attempts to remove the GPS device. Ensure you contact appropriate law enforcement agencies before purchasing a GPS-blocking device.
