Woodstock 7/25/2012 3:05:00 AM
News / Science & Technology

GPS Fleet management for Improved Safety and Tracking

Companies that run fleets of vehicles have a huge project in keeping costs down. Not only do they have to keep track of the locations of vehicles to ensure that they are arriving on time, but they also need to ensure that employees are driving in a safe manner and that vehicles are maintained properly. One of the best ways to accomplish both tracking the location and behaviors of drivers and vehicles is to use a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking system for accurate fleet management. These systems offer businesses the ability to improve the safety of drivers, vehicle maintenance and the overall efficiency of a fleet.

GPS tracking systems work by using satellites in orbit to triangulate the positions of vehicles. Using mapping systems, companies are able to know the exact location of their fleet vehicles. They can see when vehicles are moving, how long they are stopped and even pinpoint the street address that they are at. Additionally, many GPS fleet management systems come with the ability to track high RPM use in a vehicle, speed and abrupt braking. This can help monitor the driving behaviors of fleet employees.

When companies that manage fleets use GPS tracking systems, they are able to follow the exact location of all of their vehicles. This enables them to provide better ETAs for their drivers and also let people know ahead of time if a driver is going to be late. This also enables companies to quickly respond if a vehicle is having mechanical issues and send out a repair team. Knowing where vehicles are in relation to each other can also help companies determine who is closest by to help or stand in for an employee that is delayed.

Being able to keep track of employees also ensures that they are much more likely to do their jobs as quickly and efficiently as possible. If vehicles are idling for an excessive amount of time or going off route, companies are able to tell this instantly. The ability to monitor the progress and locations of employees can provide a number of benefits to companies, especially in terms of reducing unnecessary payroll hours.

Another way that using GPS for fleet management can save businesses money is by allowing them to follow the behaviors of their drivers. Speeding, abrupt braking and too fast acceleration can not only contribute to excessive wear and tear on vehicles, but it can also lead to accidents. Both are incredibly expensive to companies and GPS tracking systems can monitor excessive RPM, when drivers slam on the brakes and how fast drivers are going. When employees know that how they drive is being monitored, they are far less likely to engage in unsafe behaviors.

Companies that run fleets of vehicles have to deal with a number of expenses, and keeping them down can be difficult at best. Using a GPS system to track and manage fleets can reduce costs and improve efficiency. These systems are simple to install and offer a variety of options for ensuring that employees drive safely, increase their efficiency and allow companies to better manage fleet assets.