GPS Tracking

Details Concerning Unsafe Drivers is Alarming

Poor Driving Skills Runs Rampant

The following statistics concerning drivers in the United States should put a scare into anyone who reads them.

Almost 1 out of 5 drivers would not pass a written drivers test if they were given one (38 million people).  Basic rules of the road are not only disregarded, drivers do not even have knowledge of what is in those rules.

These statistics are being played out on our streets and roads today with alarming results.  One of the most telling results of a poll that was conducted by the National Drivers Test survey was that 85% could not identify the correct action to take when approaching a yellow light at an intersection even though one of the selections was to “proceed through the intersection before the light turns red.” (more…)

Taking Technology Along

The Best Uses of GPS Tracking

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world at 29,035 feet high.  A teenager, 13 year-old Jordan Romero, trekked to the peak and proceeded to call his mother from a satellite based phone to tell her the wonderful news: “mom, I’m calling you from the top of the world.”

The mother, of course, was happy – especially that he had made it safely.  The way she knew this was from his call, but also she tracked his progress via a GPS tracking system. (more…)

Delays Have Put the Program Behind by 3 Years

New Functionality will replace Aging Satellites in Orbit

The U.S. Air Force is tasked with getting new GPS satellites into orbit for use in both military and civilian markets.  These days, the pressure to expand capabilities and add functionality is huge.

The new satellites for GPS tracking purposes will offer better performance (improved processing power), better anti-jamming circuitry, and increased civilian aviation functionality.  This will be possible because of higher accuracy, enhanced internal clocks, longer life and reprogrammable on-board processors for future evolution of applications. (more…)

Lower Power Consumption and Size Reign Supreme

Privacy Matters More than Ever

It is inevitable:  You will be tracked via GPS tracking devices and the main concern will be privacy.  Fastrax has launched their smallest GPS receiver for navigation and asset tracking.  They say that it takes up about half the space of their earlier module which allows it to be sealed in tiny casings.  How small?  Try 10.4 x 14.0 x 2.3 mm; which allows integration into most battery powered consumer devices.

Size Matters

Why is size so important in this market?  Here are the main reasons: (more…)

The Balance Between Safety and Spying is Tested

The Assistance these Devices Offer Bus Drivers Might be the Best Reason to Use Them

Source acquired via WJBF, May 14, 2010, Augusta Georgia – the Richmond County Board of Education wants to install GPS trackers and video cameras in every county school bus. The idea behind the new technological instalments is to make bus routes safer for children, and to provide parents with accurate pick-up and drop-off times. While many parents feel that this new technology is a good idea, some parents feel that video cameras and GPS trackers may lead to stalking and spying.

A few concerned parents fear that child predators may be able to track school buses in order to abduct children. Others believe that spying on children who ride a public school bus is unethical. The district argues that school buses are state property, and (under Georgia law) schools have the right to monitor their own equipment.

Cost vs. Benefit

In order to install two cameras and one GPS tracker on each bus, the school district will need to come up with $40,000. The district intends to ask the Richmond County Board of Education to purchase the equipment for the district’s 128 buses. The goal is to install two cameras on each bus “…one in the idle and another in the front.” The district hopes to be able to report all school bus activity by reviewing camera video regularly. (more…)

State Senator Crafts Law

Privacy Issue is the Strongest Reason

Source acquired via The Franklin Sun, May 14, 2010, Louisiana – Louisiana State Senator Neil Riser is no stranger to changing Louisiana state laws. In 2009, Riser introduced the Louisiana Anti-Called ID Spoofing Act, which prevents disguised phone numbers within the state of Louisiana. Recently, Riser introduced another act that would make GPS spying illegal in most situations.

Presently, GPS tracking is not illegal within the state of Louisiana. Anyone can use a GPS tracking device to track a person or vehicle without legal repercussions. Riser’s bill would prevent this type of spying from occurring on a personal level, though it would still allow for law enforcement and military tracking. The bill would also allow the owner of a vehicle to attach a GPS tracking device to that vehicle without written consent from drivers.

Exemptions will Be Allowed

Aside from these exceptions, GPS tracking would be entirely illegal. Riser recently stated that “your first instinct would lead you to think that this is already against the law, but it’s not…” Riser’s act would not make it illegal for parents to tracking children who are driving a car owned by a parent. A similar anti-tracking currently exists within the state of Georgia. (more…)

The Cost to Transportation Firms is High

Attempt is Being Made to Spread Out the Costs

Source acquired via Business Daily Africa, May 13, 2010, Kenya, Africa – Within the transportation industry, it’s a well known fact that sending any shipment to Africa may result in stolen goods. This is precisely why the Kenyan government has made it mandatory for all exporters, manufacturers, and container freight stations to install a GPS tracking device on all trucks.

The Kenyan government gave those within the transportation industry until June 30, 2010, to install the tracking devices. While equipping trucks with GPS tracking technology may prevent lost cargo and theft, many transportation companies are not happy about this new law, since GPS technology of this kind isn’t cheap. Thus, various truckers want the Kenyan government to pay for the mandatory tracking technology. Further, those truckers who have already installed GPS tracking devices want to be reimbursed for these costs.

The Short Sighted View of Tracking Cargo

Presently, around 331 trucks have already installed GPS tracking technology. These trucks consistently deliver freight from port areas to freight station yards. One transporter (who wished to remain nameless) told press that the costs of the GPS systems have “…already been pushed…to importers by introducing a $5 handling charge per container due to the increase costs of installation…” In addition, transporters must also pay a communication fee on a monthly basis. (more…)

Technology and Food Combine

Making Customer Service Fun

Source acquired via The Star, May 13, 2010, Malaysia – North American pizza lovers have been able to keep tabs on a Domino’s Pizza order for some time now, but this service is just reaching Malaysia. Beginning on May 17, 2010, people residing in Malaysia will be able to track any Domino’s order. With the help of GPS tracking technology, Domino’s customers can keep a watchful eye on any pizza order from the moment an order has been placed to the moment it leaves a Domino’s restaurant.

This service, called the Great Pizza Service, will be the first of its kind in Malaysia. Since Domino’s chains throughout North America have successfully implemented this system, there is no doubt that this system will work equally as well in Malaysia. In order to track a pizza order, customers simply need to visit the Domino’s Malaysia website, input a phone number, and watch as a pizza moves from the kitchen to a delivery vehicle.

Implementation Comes With a Price

Many Domino’s enthusiasts are excited about this new GPS system, though this kind of service may not be a positive thing. While customers will enjoy knowing where a pizza is at all times, a vast amount of pressure will be placed on kitchen staff and delivery personnel alike. Further, this type of system will prompt people to expect rapid service from all restaurants. Then again, allowing customers to interact with the food preparation system is a clever marketing tool. (more…)

Size of GPS Devices is a Factor

Monitoring Freight Movement Allows Quick Recovery

One of the best uses of GPS Tracking devices is in the tracing of stolen freight by bands of thieves.  Around the world, news stories are mounting about the theft of freight from semi trailers, trains, and maritime shipments.

Recently, a shipment of pharmaceuticals was recovered because of a small, pill-bottle sized GPS Tracking device.  This shipment was intercepted and the suspect was apprehended without incident near St. Louis, Missouri.

This underscores the need for further use of GPS Tracking devices in this application.  Here is where the fight will be won or lost in this arena. (more…)

Cell Phones Might Not Help You

Better to Have Two Sources of Help

The news about vehicle ownership is that people are keeping their vehicles longer than they ever have because of financial issues.  This means more miles on vehicles that would have otherwise been traded or sold.  More vehicles with over 100,000 miles are using streets and roads in our communities. (more…)