How Does a Vehicle Tracking System Work?
Vehicle tracking systems run on GPS: the mobile data devices fitted to vehicles pass the information they receive from GPS satellites to a data centre over the GSM/GPRS network. In other words, vehicles are monitored via satellite systems and all recorded information is sent to a database. Through dedicated vehicle tracking software, users can monitor this information in real time or look back at historical data. For satellites to track a vehicle
Vehicle tracking systems run on GPS: the mobile data devices fitted to vehicles pass the information they receive from GPS satellites to a data centre over the GSM/GPRS network. In other words, vehicles are monitored via satellite systems and all recorded information is sent to a database. Through dedicated vehicle tracking software, users can monitor this information in real time or look back at historical data.
For satellites to track a vehicle, they need line of sight to it. In places with tall buildings, or in tunnels, satellites cannot see the vehicle, so live data transmission may not be possible. For this reason some vehicle tracking systems work both actively and passively. These systems switch to passive tracking when there is no cellular data.
Active vehicle tracking: tracks the vehicle's GPS position, speed, route and engine on/off events live, and gives whoever is using the vehicle tracking software real-time access to the data.
Passive vehicle tracking: all of the vehicle's movements are still recorded, but the data is transferred to a computer or another device afterwards. In systems that do both active and passive monitoring, the system switches from active to passive monitoring when there is no cellular network available.
First you should decide how many vehicles you will use the tracking system on, and then you can come to an agreement with the company offering the plan that suits you best. Vehicle tracking devices are generally fitted at points on the vehicle that are out of sight, and the installation is carried out by the company providing the system. Nothing else needs to be done on the vehicle side; all reporting is delivered to users through software accessed on a computer, smartphone or tablet.
Logging in to the server with the username and password provided by the vehicle tracking company, you can find out:
1. your vehicle's current location,
2. whether the vehicle is moving,
3. what speed in km/h the vehicle is travelling at while moving,
4. the amount of fuel consumed and the distance the vehicle has covered (mileage),
5. and a great deal of detailed information about your vehicle through various reports, which can also be added later.
A vehicle tracking system lets you monitor your fleet easily and in real time, and helps you use your vehicles more efficiently. To learn about the benefits of vehicle tracking systems, click here for more detailed information.
Is it possible to track a vehicle without a device?
If you work with Volt Lines you no longer need a vehicle tracking system for your vehicles, because Volt Lines technology turns drivers' mobile phones into a tracking device, and all the information you need reaches you through the data collected via the mobile app.
