Vehicle Tracking » Vehicle Tracking

Auto Thieves Don’t Get it – GPS Tracking Means You Will Get Caught

Vehicle Tracking — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:24:13 +0000

Never Mess with a Fleet Vehicle Operation

GPS Tracking Serves Two Purposes

Running a fleet business is difficult enough without the technological advances that have been invented and now assist in day to day operations. This is no less true when you stop to consider all of the downsizing that has taken place in most companies. More work is piled on fewer workers. Unless a business wants to risk losing employees because of strenuous work environments, they would do well to implement the best technology enhancements that they can afford.

For fleet operations, that means a GPS Tracking system is mandatory. There are two major reasons for this.

Running a Successful Fleet Company

Fleet operations have to be run in such a manner that customer service is the top priority. Moving packages with trucks and drivers is a maddening job, but it is made easier with a GPS Tracking system that allows for real-time monitoring of a fleet vehicles locations, direction of travel and speeds.

Drivers tend to get tunnel-vision during their runs. All they can see is their current destination and little else. It helps to have those around them that can help give corrections to their routes and advance warnings of traffic tie-ups and weather updates that will affect them.

Recovering Stolen Vehicles

Recently, a stolen limousine was recovered because it was outfitted with a GPS Tracking device. This is not an uncommon occurrence, but it underscores two things.

First, the need exists for GPS Tracking for more than just business purposes. Recovery from theft is a prime reason. Consider that if there is no damage to the vehicle, it can be put back into use immediately. Also, insurance companies embrace these devices because it keeps their risk of payout of a claim lower. And, in turn they often reduce the premiums on a vehicle because of that.

Next, those that engage in the activities of stealing vehicles should avoid fleet vehicles at all costs. But then, those that do these things are not known for their grand intelligence.

Most auto thefts end up with the same result: a captured suspect and the conviction of the same. Still, it is better to be prepared than not because if you are not, your competition is certainly there ahead of you. And that is one thing that you must avoid, too.

More Fire Fighting Operations Going High Tech with GPS Tracking

Vehicle Tracking — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:20:17 +0000

Additional Safety Measures Built into its Use

Lower Mistakes Makes for Saved Buildings and Lives

There is no doubt about it: GPS Tracking is having an impact in the area of fire fighting operations. Just like other public safety organizations, fire departments all over are reaping the benefits of GPS outfitted trucks to assist in fire emergencies.

These systems promote the following goals of fire and emergency rescue operations:

Faster and Efficient Response Times

The best and fastest routes are displayed while driving to an emergency. Also available is the location of hydrants, water lines, gas lines and even electric service lines.

Better Fire Fighting Information

One of the best features of these systems it that they can provide a good overview of a fire via satellite picture and help to determine where best to focus the highest amount of attention to put the blaze out. That has already been used with great success.

Works with Existing GPS Systems

This helps keep the costs low in the implementation phase. If a department already has outfitted their vehicles with GPS Tracking one of these new systems will tie right into it and provide the same level of service, but with the new features added into the system.

Sharing of Data

When a department is called upon to assist at a fire outside of their territory, the unfamiliarity with that part of the community can pose a problem. Now that is gone because these new systems supply the most direct route to the address of the fire.

Also, updating the maps of hydrants can be performed by a single person rather than the several that used to be necessary.

In addition to all of this, fire and rescue vehicles can be monitored for proper use. While this would not likely be an issue with the larger trucks, the smaller vehicles used for things other than fire runs can be watched to make sure they are not being used in a manner that goes against department policy.

The drivers can also be watched to make sure they are obeying speed limits and also that they are where they should be and not performing personal business while on the job.

It all fits nicely into a package that helps fire / rescue departments run as lean and efficiently as possible. That alone can help save money which is important in these uncertain economic times in which we find ourselves.

Tracking System Records Evidence in Accidents, Other Driving Incidents

Vehicle Tracking — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:28:25 +0000

Many people who have a basic knowledge of vehicle tracking systems are usually most familiar with real time GPS tracking units. Those who place these electronic gadgets on vehicles are able to “see” from a remote computer or a smartphone where that asset is and where it is heading, with a position update every few seconds or minutes.

All well and good, but the real-time vehicle tracking system should not overshadow the value of a passive GPS tracking device, which has excellent applications in its own right. Among the top uses are for fleet management and accident investigations.

A passive GPS tracking system stores data on vehicle location within the unit. The tracking system is later retrieved for later download. A quality-made passive GPS vehicle tracking device like LandAirSea Systems’ GPS Tracking Key and GPS Tracking Key Pro have extensive memory. Up to 100 hours of movement are recorded, and even then, it doesn’t stop working. The memory chip works “first in, first out” with data, meaning once capacity is met, the newest driving data will replace the oldest.

On-the-road incidents involving law enforcement, including moving violations (tickets) and accidents are very serious business. Since they involve legal and sometimes medical issues, they can be long, drawn-out affairs. Vehicle tracking systems are great for referencing facts, rather than relying solely on memory, witnesses, or the hand-written notes of a police officer.

Passive vehicle tracking devices record speed, direction, time and date, location by latitude and longitude or street address, duration of trips and miles logged. Better vehicle tracking devices such as the GPS Tracking Key and GPS Tracking Key Pro will give position updates in one-second increments, so there are almost no detectible gaps in coverage.

Memories fade over time and witnesses are not always reliable, but a GPS vehicle tracking report is accurate and detailed. The data will be as clear a year or two after the road incident as it is the day of the occurrence.

LandAirSea analysts recently pulled news reports from two accidents. Consider how a vehicle tracking system helped – or would have helped – in the investigations:

Vehicle Tracking System Verifies Bogus Insurance Claim

The fleet management supervisor of a HVAC company in Sidmouth, Devon, UK referred to a service van’s on-board vehicle tracking system after one of his drivers was blamed for a minor vehicle accident. The “victim” claimed a serviceman was speeding and sideswiped him on a country road. A side view mirror was torn off and the matter went to insurance claim.

The fleet management supervisor tracked the claimant’s time, date and location of the accident and found the identity of the employee allegedly responsible for the mishap. The engineer claimed he had pulled over the vehicle and the other car clipped him while passing.

The company, called Ford’s, installed passive vehicle tracking systems on all its fleet vehicles about three years ago to track work orders and analyze employee schedules for inefficiencies. The tracking system records exact position, time, date and speed of vehicles. The vehicle tracking report revealed, in no uncertain terms, that the service vehicle at the time of the accident was not speeding; it was not moving at all.

Ford’s fleet management supervisor Tim Ford explained that often, when a member of the public gets involved in a minor accident, they find an easily-identifiable vehicle in the vicinity at the time and record contact information from its exterior advertising, then blame its driver for the unfortunate encounter.

“We were thrilled to have the evidence available, with just a few keystrokes,” said Ford. “Confronted with the report, the other driver backed down.”

Stunt Woman Dies in Crash on Way to Filming

Hollywood stunt woman April Erin Stirton met a tragic and ironic fate April 6, 2010 when she died in an accident on Highway 101 near the Laurel Canyon exit. California Highway Patrol investigators believe the 28-year-old, riding her motorcycle to a performing job, was speeding and tried to pass a tow truck. Witnesses said she lost control of the bike and skidded. Both she and the motorcycle got lodged under the rear wheels of another truck, police said.

Stirton, who lived in North Hollywood and had worked on shows like “CSI and “True Blood” was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Was this woman, clearly skilled at driving in dangerous situations due to her career, over-confident or distracted? She did not survive to tell her side of the story. Could a vehicle tracking system on the motorcycle have recorded evidence that another driver was to blame?

Much time and money can be saved when a driver involved in a dispute has access to an extensive vehicle tracking report on the incident in question. Fleet management directors, parents of teen drivers, self-employed business people and many others use vehicle tracking as a means of protecting their families and businesses from liability and harm.

Sources: Materials Handling World , Los Angeles Times

Tracking System Records Evidence in Accidents, Other Driving Incidents

Vehicle Tracking — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 20:00:48 +0000

LandAirSea analysts recently pulled news reports from two accidents. Consider how a vehicle tracking system helped – or would have helped – in the investigations:

Vehicle Tracking System Verifies Bogus Insurance Claim

“We were thrilled to have the evidence available, with just a few keystrokes,” said Ford. “Confronted with the report, the other driver backed down.”

Stunt Woman Dies in Crash on Way to Filming

Stirton, who lived in North Hollywood and had worked on shows like “CSI and “True Blood” was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Sources: Materials Handling World , Los Angeles Times

GPS Tracking: Surveillance vs. Counter Surveillance

Vehicle Tracking — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:53:52 +0000

Both Systems Finding Challenges in Courts of Law

“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

Isaac Newton’s third law of motion could be loosely applied to the debate over GPS tracking technologies.

Every time a commercial product is introduced that will allow someone to secretly record or copy something or someone; another product will follow that will either try to find it, or foil it.

This is the case with the growing industry of GPS tracking devices. GPS tracking devices, such as vehicle tracking systems, fall under the category of surveillance products. These GPS tracking products – which locate and track an object using satellite radio signals – have only been available for civilian use for about the last 10 years. And already there is counter surveillance equipment on the market that purports to either locate the vehicle tracking system, or to prevent it from operating properly.

Courts struggle from time to time with GPS tracking data and whether it is reliable enough to be used in legal proceedings. Another question is whether the GPS tracking data was obtained legally. And a third: Does the vehicle tracking evidence lose any credibility if there was an attempt to block, disguise or muffle the GPS satellite radio transmissions?

Some lawyers have argued that if GPS tracking data is “spoofable” or “jammable,” it can’t be guaranteed accurate and it shouldn’t be admissible as evidence. Supporters of covert GPS tracking say all kinds of evidence (photographs, audio recordings, hard copy documents) can be tampered with, so all should be admitted as evidence and judged for credibility, case by case.

There are three basic types of devices designed in defense to GPS vehicle tracking systems.

What is a GPS detector?
GPS detectors work much like radar detectors. The hardware detects GPS tracking transmissions by using a radio frequency scanner. It does not affect the vehicle tracking system’s operation; It just warns the driver that a vehicle tracking device is present.
What is GPS jamming?
GPS jammers broadcast on the same frequencies assigned to the GPS tracking system. They try to deliberately interfere with vehicle tracking data transmission by blanketing the frequency with noise or blocking the vehicle tracking transmission completely.
What is GPS spoofing?
GPS spoofers also work on the GPS radio frequencies. They try to cause the GPS tracking system to transmit incorrect (spoofed) location data; or confuse the receiver into thinking it is in a different place than it actually is.

Should all GPS tracking data be dismissed from evidence, merely because the potential exists that it could be tampered with?

We approach this first by considering each category of GPS counter surveillance individually.

GPS detectors are nothing more than an irritation to law enforcement. Vehicle tracking detectors merely tip off the driver that someone is tracking them. What happens from there is the driver’s decision. Detectors, logically, would lead to the lack of evidence. The fact that the courts have GPS tracking data to consider means that the detector failed to do its job.
Similarly, GPS jammers are a major irritation to police who are following a subject with vehicle tracking equipment. This GPS tracking hardware will create gaps in the vehicle path or eliminate whole sections of a trip, but what remains of the trip should be considered accurate and reliable. GPS tracking position updates are independent of one another. The absence or masking of one reading does not taint the rest of the vehicle tracking report.
GPS spoofers are a different story because GPS spoofers deliberately feed the police incorrect vehicle tracking information. It’s unlikely a GPS spoofer would be involved in a criminal case because, in order to make a decision to spoof, the criminal would have to be aware he is being tracked. That’s not usually the case, unless the criminal is ordered by the courts to wear a GPS tracking bracelet.

Second, spoofers skew all the GPS tracking receivers in an area, not just one GPS. Suspicious readings can be compared to other vehicle tracking receivers in the area; and the spoofer can easily be verified or discounted.

Also, it’s very difficult to create a spoofed or fake vehicle tracking trip that makes sense and is believable. Temporarily throwing the police off your path is one thing. Making up an entirely new path is another. Like counterfeiters with currency, an expert might produce a fine reproduction, but it’s the little errors that will stick out like a sore thumb.

Should counter surveillance GPS tracking equipment be illegal?

Some say that would be like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. If GPS tracking detectors, jammers and spoofers create a safety hazard or if they are used to obstruct justice, they should certainly be regulated. But counter surveillance vehicle tracking equipment cannot be declared illegal, because they have a legitimate use outside of law enforcement. Counter surveillance GPS tracking equipment is used by adults who suspect that they are being electronically followed: their partner is spying on them, a personal investigator is on their tail, or their boss or business competitor is nosing around into their personal lives.

It is not uncommon for GPS tracking data to be presented into evidence in court, to prove an individual or object was at a certain location at a certain time. Vehicle tracking has earned its reputation for extremely reliable and accurate evidence in court. The presence of counter surveillance equipment does not negate that fact.

Case in point: A New York area man was recently convicted of the second degree murder of a babysitter. A vehicle tracking device his wife planted on his truck recorded the vehicle in a sparsely-populated, wooded area for an inordinate amount of time, when the man should have been driving the girl home from a babysitting job.

Vehicle Tracking – How Vehicle Tracking Works

Vehicle Tracking — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:54:56 +0000

A business or consumer places a GPS tracking system inside or outside of the desired vehicle they wish to monitor. Many tracking systems have weather-resistant casing and magnetic mounts that give the user the flexibility and option of outside placement. The tracking systems can be powered by an internal power source such as a standard alkaline or lithium ion battery pack, or can be hardwired to the vehicle to direct power. Cigarette lighter adapter options are available for most models. The data from the tracking system can be manually downloaded to a computer via USB port or transmitted over a cellular network live, depending on whether the device is a passive or real-time tracking system.

Passive Tracking

Providing a cost-effective approach to vehicle tracking, passive devices allow users to monitor assets without having to pay a monthly fee. Since passive devices do not transmit data and only receive GPS coordinates, second-by-second tracking features are common. When the user wants to review the recorded data they simply remove the GPS tracking system from the vehicle and manually download the data via USB port.

Real-Time Tracking

For consumers needing to monitor a vehicle while in transit a real-time tracking system is the only solution. Login to a secured website, enter a user identification and password, and then access the GPS tracking data from home, office or smart phone. The vehicle tracking data is easily accessed and recorded to secure servers for future access.

Why is Vehicle Tracking the Solution for Me?

Whether you’re a large or small business, law enforcement agency, concerned parent of a teenager, or simply need a GPS tracking system for personal tracking, theft recovery, or family member with a physical or mental disability, the assurance vehicle tracking technology provides is priceless. GPS tracking systems allow users to easily and accurately access data that can increase productivity, help in routing, and supply answers to the unknown.

Vehicle Tracking Installed in All Chicago School Buses

Vehicle Tracking — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:39:11 +0000

Buses rolling out for the first day of classes at the Chicago Public Schools had extra assurance they would run efficiently, thanks to vehicle tracking technology.

The school system added remote vehicle tracking devices to each of their 1,600 buses this summer. The significant cash outlay for the vehicle tracking system will be covered in part through a $1 million grant. School officials say they hope the vehicle tracking costs will be recouped in a short period of time through less fuel and maintenance costs. Vehicle tracking allows supervisors back at the main depot to keep tabs on each and every vehicle tracking them by remote computer over the Internet. With proper management, the vehicle tracking system will help decrease or eliminate breakdowns, late routes, exceeding the speed limit and excessive idling.

The vehicle tracking project raised a few eyebrows among the general public, with the knowledge that many school systems are cutting budgets back, especially in the area of transportation, due to the tight economy. Chicago Public Schools is the third largest school system in the nation. Could it afford vehicle tracking?

It’s estimated only about one quarter of school districts in the U.S. use vehicle tracking, although the American School Bus Council endorses vehicle tracking technology. A spokesman for the agency said it was because of the Chicago School District’s large size that it would experience a quick and effective return on investment. GPS tracking makes routing more efficient, he said, and that alone should cut down on mileage and therefore fuel consumption immediately.

Parents are also pleased at the increased level of safety that vehicle tracking promises. When parents ask about the whereabouts of child, or the progress of a bus route, vehicle tracking will reveal exactly when any bus arrived at a certain stop and where it is at the current time.

This type of tracking is called real-time vehicle tracking. A small GPS tracking receiver is placed in each bus. Vehicle tracking involves readings, or “hits,” marking the device’s location based on satellites orbiting in space. Speed, latitude, longitude, and heading are monitored by vehicle tracking. Position updates are every few seconds. That vehicle tracking data is transmitted through a cell network, and it’s all assembled on a map on the Internet. The dispatcher, manager or other supervisor – usually with special vehicle tracking software – can watch a full fleet of buses as they progress on their routes, moment to moment, or zoom in and concentrate on just one. Vehicle tracking also keeps records of past routes, so any day or segment of a day can be recalled, for reports or perhaps to look for persistent inefficiencies.

Vehicle Tracking Systems Aid in Car Repossessions

Vehicle Tracking — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:41:25 +0000

A TruTV series called “Operation Repo,” is cashing in on all the drama associated with vehicle tracking and having an expensive possession like a car snatched away.

Much is discussed about whether the show is real or fake. The bigger question is who’s at fault? Who really is the owner of a car when it is out on a loan and the debtor fails to make payments?

A growing application in the vehicle tracking business is for repossessions. Some car dealers and finance companies are putting vehicle tracking systems on all their mobile assets, to make sure a person that is buying or renting a vehicle isn’t going to disappear with it, or ignore their payment plan. Many car rental agencies are using vehicle tracking, too. If the driver/customer does default, all the bank or loan company has to do is engage the vehicle tracking device and follow the GPS tracking data right to the vehicle tracking receiver. Then all they do is haul it away.

The TV “Repo” team relies on old-fashioned vehicle tracking instincts and know-how to locate their targets. There’s no denying their work would be easier if every set of wheels they reclaim is outfitted with a working vehicle tracking device.

A murder suspect wanted by police in Van Buren, Ark. was recently apprehended with a vehicle tracking device. The man had purchased a vehicle from a “Buy Here, Pay Here” car lot called Automatic Auto Finance.

Automatic Auto Finance regularly uses vehicle tracking on the units it sells. That’s because the money is out of their pockets. The company is the registered owner and it holds the car title until the last payment on the loan has been paid.

Automatic Auto Finance was all too happy to cooperate with police. The car was quickly found with vehicle tracking. It was parked outside the suspect’s sister-in-law’s house.

When police are dealing with a missing person, they often find them by “pinging” the GPS tracking feature of cell phones. But vehicle tracking systems on vehicles is becoming more and more common.

There are even wireless vehicle tracking devices that are used by auto finance firms that will disable the vehicle when the loan goes into default. These vehicle tracking devices are not the safety issue they would appear to be. The vehicle tracking unit will lock up the engine after it is stopped, and prevent it from restarting. Some vehicle tracking devices will decelerate the vehicle. This vehicle tracking feature is only used when police or someone else in authority has a visual on the vehicle and can determine it is safe to do so.

Is it fair to use vehicle tracking devices in this way? Are vehicle tracking systems a good practice to protect one’s assets, or are they a violation of the driver/owner/leasee’s privacy? Some car dealers hide the vehicle tracking devices, never letting the customer know about the vehicle tracking capability until, of course, the loan is paid off and the car dealer has to retrieve the vehicle tracking hardware. That’s because some drivers might tamper with the vehicle tracking device if they knew it was there. Other car dealers are quite up-front and spell out the rules of vehicle tracking right in a contract, which the borrower must sign.

Most of the time these vehicle tracking subjects are customers with very poor credit and they are a very high risk investment. It’s possible they couldn’t get a loan through a traditional agency. Most of these creditors want to know immediately if a home address or employment situation changes, there are any accident reports or tickets for speeding. A vehicle tracking report gives much of this information.

Some people might owe more on their car than it’s worth (upside-down car value) so it might be tempting to walk away. Vehicle tracking assures that companies will be able to locate, track and recover their vehicle in the case of loan default.

There are possible legal ramifications to vehicle tracking if the customer is not notified. But if the lender does notify them about the vehicle tracking, and it is part of the contract, the customer is really in no position to argue to terms.

Why would any borrower agree to purchase terms that include mandatory vehicle tracking? Read the words of an actual vehicle tracking subject:

“I have major credit issues due to a financially-irresponsible ex-spouse. He took the car we had, and I had to get into a car by any (moral) means necessary for my toddler and I. Out of desperation, I accepted the ridiculous interest rate and the vehicle tracking device the car came with.”

A lot has been said about the dismal economy and its affect on home values and loan defaults. But the mortgage loan crisis is just one part of the story. The same is happening with cars. Homes don’t move, so you can’t lose track of a house. Cars and trucks are mobile assets. Vehicle tracking technology is invaluable to some people, who need to track their assets. Repossession is one such use.

GPS Tracking Systems Lead Police to Stolen Tow Trucks

Vehicle Tracking — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:36:28 +0000

Real-Time GPS Tracking

The night has always provided the criminal element a cloak of concealment, but not even the darkness would provide two local Florida men the protection they needed to commit grand theft auto. When two unidentified men broke into a Fort Lauderdale tow truck companies secure parking lot and stole two Ford F-450 tow trucks, the trucks owner, Jason Parrett, was not worried. Parrett had piece of mind because of a decision he made earlier in the year to outfit his small fleet of vehicles with GPS tracking technology, specifically, real-time vehicle tracking.

On an early Saturday morning one of Parrett’s employees notified him that the two trucks were not in their designated location. Parrett contacted his employees to verify that they were not in possession of the vehicles and once he had confirmation that the trucks were stolen he decided to access his vehicle tracking system’s data. Parrett used his wife’s Blackberry phone and accessed the vehicle tracking system to view the truck’s location. The vehicle tracking system data showed that one of the trucks was in Lauderdale Manors and the other truck was in a neighboring city. With the data from the vehicle tracking system, Parrett’s employees were able to accurately locate the exact position of the missing vehicles.

Real-Time Tracking Solution

Once the vehicle tracking system led Parrett’s employees to the location of the vehicle, they contacted local police to arrest the suspected thieves. When the police arrived at the scene, the vehicle tracking data was able to provide concrete evidence when the trucks were stolen and everywhere they went. Parrett initially equipped his tow trucks with vehicle tracking systems to help in routing and documenting mileage for tax purposes. Theft recovery applications for the GPS tracking system were just an added feature. When asked about the crimes, Parrett stated that without GPS tracking technology and equipping his tow trucks with vehicle tracking systems the trucks would have never been recovered. The real-time vehicle tracking systems provided swift justice and recovery of Parrett’s assets.

Vehicle Tracking Helps Municipalities Large and Small

Vehicle Tracking — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:33:17 +0000

GPS vehicle tracking was originally developed by the U.S. Department of Defense for military purposes, but vehicle tracking has had a trickle-down benefit in governments of much smaller size. State government, townships, mid-size cities and even small villages with total population of maybe a thousand residents can reap real rewards by adding vehicle tracking systems to their municipal vehicles.

Vehicle tracking systems note the mileage, speed, direction and stops of a vehicle using GPS satellite signals. The information can be printed out in a vehicle tracking report or viewed over an animated or satellite map on a remote computer. These vehicle tracking reports can be viewed in real time, or recorded in memory for later viewing.

Used in a municipal setting, vehicle tracking devices will let supervisors know if workers are where they should be during their shifts.

Vehicle tracking solutions help municipalities in the following ways:

· Cut excessive fuel consumption by reducing repeat trips, overlapping routes, speeding, and excessive idling.

· Save payroll costs by eliminating personal errands on work time, excessive breaks, inaccurate logging of time.

· Reduce insurance costs by proving safe driving records, and/or having a vehicle tracking system with theft recovery (real-time vehicle tracking).

· Extend life expectancy of vehicles by keeping better routine maintenance schedules (oil changes, belt checks, tire rotation, etc.)

· Run services more efficiently, for example snowplowing, street sweeping or police patrols.

· Defend an employee or prove innocence with a vehicle tracking report, noting speed, location and time, to conflict with a complaint or criminal charge or moving violation.

· Show evidence against an employee at a disciplinary hearing.

People may not treat someone else’s asset with as much care as their own. The scratch on the car, the ding in the truck bed is not so tragic when the vehicle belongs to someone else. A vehicle’s lifespan can be shortened as a result of reckless driving or negligence. Vehicle tracking can extend the life of a vehicle.

In a municipality, city property is not the ownership of an individual, or a business man or a corporation. City property belongs to the people and taxpayers. City employees and elected officials are obligated to be responsible and accountable with city funds and property.

In a vehicle tracking system, a geo-fencing feature could be activated exactly at the city’s boundary to ensure that municipal vehicles do not leave the jurisdiction they serve.

Employees can remotely clock in or out to the vehicle tracking system, using a cell phone or laptop.

The township of North Brunswick, New Jersey, (population of 38,000) is considering installing GPS tracking systems in municipal vehicles. The township has 150 vehicles and officials want to equip 50 vehicles with vehicle tracking in the first phase of the project.

Vehicle tracking systems are reasonably cost effective, but they can be pricey when used in a fleet arrangement. North Brunswick is considering a quote of $17,500 to set up the system and about $15,000 annually in service fees for real-time vehicle tracking.

Industry-wide, municipalities that install vehicle tracking systems usually experience a great Return on Investment (ROI). A Connecticut town about the same size as North Brunswick put in a real-time vehicle tracking system last year. The cost was $21,000 and annual fees are about $18,000. The first year of the vehicle tracking system, town officials noticed a $32,000 savings in labor costs, vehicle repair bills and paperwork.

One of the biggest challenges for municipalities is getting employees to support and cooperate with a vehicle tracking program. An individual will naturally resist a vehicle tracking program that captures and documents activities of their personal lives, such as where they worship, where they dine or drink or who they visit.

Some town officials who have witnessed great benefits from instituting vehicle tracking systems, recommend disabling vehicle tracking devices once employees clock out for the day. Another municipality launched an incentive program. Each employee got a $750 monthly bonus when he or she agreed to vehicle tracking and consistently completed assignments on time. As an example: City trash pickup improved over a period of six months from 50 percent on-time to 95 percent on-time.