How Does a GPS Vehicle Tracking Software System Work?

Discover how GPS vehicle tracking software systems use satellite technology to monitor the real-time location and movement of your vehicles. Learn about the simple process in just a few steps.

A GPS tracking software is a small gadget that can be placed in vehicles like cars, trucks, or buses. It helps you know exactly where the vehicle is at all times.

These tracking solutions work by using the Global Positioning System (GPS), which is a network of satellites orbiting the Earth. The software receives signals from these satellites and can calculate its precise location.

GPS tracking software is different from the navigation systems you might have in your car. Navigation systems show you a map and give you directions to get to a specific place you want to go. However, tracking software is mainly used to monitor where a vehicle is and where it has been.

The location information from the GPS vehicle tracking software is sent to a computer, smartphone, or tablet that the owner or manager can check. This way, they can see the current location of the vehicle and also track its movement history.

What are Vehicle Tracking Software Solutions?

Vehicle tracking software helps companies keep track of their vehicles from a distance. It works together with GPS devices installed in the vehicles to provide information about where the vehicles are and how they are being used.

The main purpose of vehicle tracking software is to give companies up-to-date and historical information about:

  1. The exact location of their vehicles on a map.
  2. How fast the vehicles are moving (their speed).
  3. The routes the vehicles have taken.
  4. If the vehicles are idling (running but not moving) or have stopped somewhere.

The GPS devices in the vehicles collect all this information and send it to the vehicle tracking software. The software then organizes and displays this information in an easy-to-understand way for the company to see.

How does GPS Vehicle Tracking System Software Work?

GPS (Global Positioning System) trackers rely on a process called trilateration to determine their precise geographic coordinates. Trilateration is a geometric technique that calculates the intersection point of three or more spheres, with each sphere representing the coverage area of ​​an individual satellite.

The GPS trackers receive radio signals from a constellation of satellites orbiting the Earth as part of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network. These signals contain precise timing information that allows the tracker to measure the transit time for the signal to reach it from each satellite.

By calculating the transit time and knowing the signal's velocity (the speed of light), the tracker can derive its distance from each satellite. With distance measurements from at least three satellites, the tracker can pinpoint its exact location by determining the point where the theoretical spheres formed by these distance radii intersect.

Mathematically, trilateration involves solving a set of equations to find the intersection point of the spheres, providing the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the tracker's position. The more satellites involved, the more accurate the location fix becomes. 

Here's the additional technique used by the GPS vehicle tracking software system.

  1. Acquiring assistance data from ground stations to aid in locating satellite signals faster.
  2. Using advanced algorithms to compensate for atmospheric delays, receiver clock errors, and other potential sources of measurement inaccuracies.
  3. Integrating data from other sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes for enhanced positioning in signal-obstructed areas.

This trilateration method enables GPS trackers to provide highly precise real-time location data, making them invaluable tools for fleet management, asset tracking, vehicle recovery, field service operations, and various other location-based applications across industries.

The continuous streaming of location coordinates allows centralized monitoring systems to track the movement of GPS-equipped assets, vehicles, or individuals, enabling better operational control, improved resource allocation, and enhanced safety and security measures.

Advantages of Using GPS Vehicle Tracking Software for Managing Vehicle Fleets

GPS vehicle tracking software has become an invaluable tool for managing vehicle fleets in various industries. Here are some practical advantages:

  1. Real-Time Vehicle Tracking System : GPS software offers real-time tracking, allowing fleet managers to see the exact location of each vehicle. This feature aids in route planning, ensuring swift service delivery, and curbs unauthorized vehicle use.
  2. Fuel Efficiency : GPS tracking provides data on a vehicle's idling time, route, and speed, helping to pinpoint fuel waste areas. Corrective actions can lead to significant savings in energy costs.
  3. Maintenance Alerts : GPS systems can monitor a vehicle's condition and performance. By setting up alerts for regular maintenance, problems can be identified and addressed before they escalate, thereby prolonging a vehicle's lifespan.
  4. Increased Worker Productivity: With GPS tracking, managers can monitor employees' working hours more accurately, which can reduce overtime costs and enhance productivity.
  5. Improved Safety : The instant notifications feature helps to recognize dangerous driving behaviors, such as speeding or hard braking. This information allows managers to guide drivers towards safer habits.

Applications of Real-Time Vehicle Tracking System

  1. Logistics & Transport Companies : Companies like UPS, USPS, and FedEx use GPS tracking to manage their massive fleets. This technology aids in tracking and rerouting vehicles in real time for quicker deliveries.
  2. Utility Services : Utility companies, such as gas and electricity providers, use GPS systems for efficient route planning, minimizing service delays, especially during emergencies.
  3. Food Delivery Services : Companies like UberEats and DoorDash use GPS tracking to provide customers with real-time updates on their order delivery. It also streamlines its operations by helping dispatchers assign deliveries efficiently.
  4. Public Transportation : GPS software is used in public buses and trams to monitor schedules and routes. It helps in real-time updates to passengers about arrivals and departures.
  5. Waste Management Services : Waste management companies use GPS tracking to monitor pick-up and drop-off points and optimize routes, helping to reduce fuel and labor costs.

Before You Go!

In conclusion, GPS vehicle tracking software by Trackobit offers ample benefits for managing vehicle fleets, from improving efficiency and productivity to enhancing safety and reducing costs. It has potential uses across different industries, improving service delivery, and customer satisfaction.


Source: How Does a GPS Vehicle Tracking Software System Work?


Nitesh Goel

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