GPS-based vehicle tracking is today, one of the most helpful tools since it can be employed by any individual or company who wishes to keep track of their cars, trucks or any other vehicle. Thanks to today’s cheap GPS tracking devices, a vehicle owner can easily place small tracking unit devices in their vehicles that report coordinates of the automobiles’ location via cellular connections. This article is aimed at a brief description of GPS vehicle tracking, the description of the main ways of its functioning and the instructions regarding the ways of tracking a vehicle using the commonly used GPS tracking systems and the importance of having a third party car insurance.
What is Vehicle Tracking with GPS?
GPS (Global Positioning System) vehicle tracking employs the use of GPS satellites to monitor and track vehicles using GPS tracking equipment installed in the vehicles. The GPS satellites present around the earth constantly broadcast signals with information on location and time. The GPS tracking devices fitted in automobiles are equipped with GPS receptors which receive these satellite signals to locate the position of the device at any instance time.
The GPS tracking device then sends this location information, in real-time over cellular networks, to a web-based tracking system or server. When a user signs into this tracking platform they will be able to see the present or past geographical location of the car being tracked alongside its estimated velocity and direction among other details. This enables the owner to track its location when the vehicle is in motion or have a clue on places that the vehicle has been.
How GPS Works?
When you decide how to track car location, the system integrates three primary components:
1. GPS Satellite Network: A constellation of satellites orbiting the Earth, which send signals to GPS receivers.
2. GPS Receiver: A device installed in the vehicle that receives satellite signals. This may be a specialised device or an app on a smartphone.
3. User Interface: The platform where you can access the vehicle’s location, often through web portals or mobile applications.
Types of GPS Tracking Systems
There are several types of GPS tracking systems, each fitting different needs:
1. Active Tracking: This system provides real-time tracking and updates the vehicle’s location at set intervals (for example, every few seconds).
2. Passive Tracking: This system stores location data internally, which can be accessed later. It’s typically used in fleet management or for vehicles that don’t need constant tracking.
3. In-Dash Navigation Systems: Many modern vehicles come with built-in GPS navigation systems that can also track location.
How to Track Your Car with GPS Vehicle Tracking System?
There are many useful applications of GPS vehicle tracking. Fleets can be supervised more by organisations to improve productivity. Also GPS tracking aids in returning stolen cars by providing updates on their whereabouts. Insurance companies go a step further to reduce car insurance costs, especially when GPS vehicle trackers are fitted. In general, GPS tracking brings most of the vehicle owners more satisfaction, security and authority over the vehicles.
GPS Vehicle Tracking System is very easy to install and operate to track a car or track a fleet of cars with many features with it.
Here are the basic steps on how to track car location with GPS:
1. Choose a GPS tracking system
There are many quality GPS vehicle tracking systems that can be purchased from different technology manufacturers. That involves the initial cost of the hardware capital and the recurring monthly charges. Hence the GPS device reliability, its ability to log data in the past, how frequently updates have been made, its battery life, and how easy it is to install the GPS device and the software is important. Systems that are installed and monitored by the homeowner are also there along with systems that are professionally installed and monitored.
2. Place this tracking system somewhere in the car
The actual hardware used by GPS tracking for motor vehicle tracking is usually small compact tracking devices that are built to withstand harsh environments, containing internal batteries and internal cellular modems. The choice can be easily mounted with the magnetic case, Velcro, or plug-in wiring harnesses and does not demand professional installation. It is compact in design hence making it possible to be concealed in the car for tracking. Ensure that the best place chosen is not easily accessible by motorists, and should not hinder the handling of the vehicles.
3. Activate cellular service
However, while GPS satellites send position signals at all times, the GPS device requires cellular data connectivity to send notifications of its location to the tracking server and owner. Usually, an activated SIM card which belongs to the tracking system provider is installed in the device. But to be able to enjoy word-wide text messages from your VoIP system, make sure that you choose a provider that achieves a strong cellular network rating in your area.
4. Log in to the tracking platform
The tracking provider or hardware provider will have an online tracking platform that allows you to view the whereabouts of your vehicle in real time and also has historical records on previous trips made by the vehicle. This can be done either on the web or through a mobile application The services, which should ideally be on offer, include mapping capability for points, lines, or polygons; alerts capability; geo-fencing capability; ability to track the asset or person in real-time; and reporting capability at varying geographical granularity. In this way, utilising the platform is usually not very problematic.
5. Coach and control your car
After setup, you can watch your vehicle at any time it is in operation. Zoom into the precise location of the automobile in real street view, refresh time, few seconds. Source hidden data such as speed, heading, total miles travelled and so much more. Ability to create custom geofences and be alerted for arrivals, departures or for any instance that shows that the car is speeding. Produce detailed schedules indicating all the places that your car has been for a whole one or more weeks or even months. Apply a few of the findings to enhance the enforcement of usage policies among family members or employees and thus attain a far deeper control over personal or commercial cars.
Conclusion
GPS vehicle tracking devices make it easier for car owners to have a sense of security, monitor and control their automobiles. Deciding on reliable hardware and software and the covert installation of this unobtrusive GPS tracking device is easy. If you are concerned about how to track a vehicle with GPS, this connection means the exact location can be uploaded to the tracking platform often as the car goes anywhere since the connectivity is cellular-based.
Intuitive GPS tracking software is efficient for tracking cars and managing vehicles as they progress in real life among their owners. The owner of a vehicle or fleet of vehicles gets confident that the vehicles and drivers are safe on the road when there is detailed insight into the location and the usage of vehicles. That is why year after year the adoption of GPS vehicle tracking is increasing.