Vehicle Tracking System

VEHICLE TRACKING SYSTEM
A vehicle tracking system is an electronic device installed in a vehicle to

enable the owner or a third party to track the vehicle's location. Most modern
vehicle tracking systems use Global Positioning System (GPS) modules for
accurate location of the vehicle. Many systems also combine a communications
component such as cellular or satellite transmitters to communicate the vehicle’s
location to a remote user. Vehicle information can be viewed on electronic maps
via the Internet or specialized software.
Active versus passive tracking:

 Several types of Vehicle Tracking devices exist. Typically they are classified as
"Passive" and "Active".
 "Passive" devices store GPS location, speed, heading and sometimes a trigger
event such as key on/off, door open/closed. Once the vehicle returns to a
predetermined point, the device is removed and the data downloaded to a
computer for evaluation. Passive systems include auto download type that
transfer data via wireless download.
 "Active" devices also collect the same information but usually transmit the data
in real-time via cellular or satellite networks to a computer or data center for
evaluation.
 Many modern vehicle tracking devices combine both active and passive
tracking abilities: when cellular network is available and a tracking device is
connected it transmits data to a server; when network is not available the device
stores data in internal memory and will transmit stored data to the server later
when the network becomes available again.
 There is a popular misperception that GPS is a "tracking" technology and
therefore that it can be easily misused by public agencies and private
companies to monitor people's whereabouts.
Common uses:
 Vehicle tracking systems are commonly used by fleet operators for fleet
management functions such as routing, dispatch, on-board information and
security. Other applications include monitoring driving behavior, such as an
employer of an employee, or a parent with a teen driver.
 Vehicle tracking systems are also popular in consumer vehicles as a theft

prevention and retrieval device. Police can simply follow the signal emitted by
the tracking system and locate the stolen vehicle. When used as a security
system, a Vehicle Tracking System may serve as either an addition to or
replacement for a traditional Car alarm.
 The existence of vehicle tracking device then can be used to reduce the
insurance cost, because the loss-risk of the vehicle drops significantly.
 Vehicle tracking systems are an integrated part of the “layered approach” to
vehicle protection, recommended by the National Insurance Crime Bureau
(NICB) to prevent motor vehicle theft. This approach recommends four layers
of security based on the risk factors pertaining to a specific vehicle.
 Vehicle Tracking Systems are one such layer, and are described by the NICB as
“very effective” in helping police recover stolen vehicles.
 Some vehicle tracking systems integrate several security systems, for example
by sending an automatic alert to a phone or email if an alarm is triggered or the
vehicle is moved without authorization.
Major markets:
Vehicle tracking can be used in the following scenarios:
 Stolen Vehicle Recovery: Both consumer and commercial vehicles can be

outfitted with RF or GPS units to allow police to do tracking and recovery. In
the case of LoJack, the police can activate the tracking unit in the vehicle
directly and follow tracking signals.
 Fleet Management: When managing a fleet of vehicles, knowing the real-time

location of all drivers allows management to meet customer needs more
efficiently. Whether it is delivery, service or other multi-vehicle enterprises,
drivers now only need a mobile phone with telephony or Internet connection to
be inexpensively tracked by and dispatched efficiently.
 Asset Tracking: Companies needing to track valuable assets for insurance or

other monitoring purposes can now plot the real-time asset location on a map
and closely monitor movement and operating status.
 Field Service Management: Companies with a field service workforce for

services such as repair or maintenance, must be able to plan field workers’
time, schedule subsequent customer visits and be able to operate these
departments efficiently. Vehicle tracking allows companies to quickly locate a
field engineer and dispatch the closest one to meet a new customer request or
provide site arrival information.
 Field Sales: Mobile sales professionals can access real-time locations. For
example, in unfamiliar areas, they can locate themselves as well as customers
and prospects, get driving directions and add nearby last-minute appointments
to itineraries. Benefits include increased productivity, reduced driving time and
increased time spent with customers and prospects.
 Trailer Tracking: Haulage and Logistics companies often operate lorries with
detachable load carrying units. The part of the vehicle that drives the load is
know as the cab and the load carrying unit is known as the trailer. There are
different types of trailer used for different applications, e.g., flat bed,
refrigerated, curtain sider, box container.
 Law enforcement or surveillance: A tracker may be hidden on a vehicle to

follow the vehicle's movements without the driver's knowledge.
 Homeland Security: A tracking device can be used to monitor and control

vehicles to improve Homeland Security. This may be in the form of tracking all
vehicles in a country, or tracking specific cargoes to ensure safe transit to their
destination.
 Transit Tracking: This is the temporary tracking of assets or cargoes from one
point to another. Users will ensure that the assets do not stop on route or do a
U-Turn in order to ensure the security of the assets.

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VEHICLE TRACKING SYSTEM

A vehicle tracking system is an electronic device installed in a vehicle to

Active versus passive tracking:

 Vehicle tracking systems are also popular in consumer vehicles as a theft

Vehicle tracking can be used in the following scenarios:

 Stolen Vehicle Recovery: Both consumer and commercial vehicles can be

 Fleet Management: When managing a fleet of vehicles, knowing the real-time

 Asset Tracking: Companies needing to track valuable assets for insurance or

 Field Service Management: Companies with a field service workforce for

 Law enforcement or surveillance: A tracker may be hidden on a vehicle to

 Homeland Security: A tracking device can be used to monitor and control

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