One of the many ways GPS tracking devices are used for fleet tracking is city bus tracking. Over the last decade, communities have found that the utilization of GPS tracking systems not only improves efficiency in public transportation operations, but also encourages citizens to take advantage of the transportation resources available to them. Here are the top four reasons why GPS tracking improves public bus systems:
Location and Schedule Monitoring
Transportation dispatchers using GPS for fleet tracking are easily able to monitor the location of each bus in real time through the use of GPS tracking software. If a particular route or driver is causing delays within the transportation system, the problem is easily isolated and fixed in a manner that saves time, financial resources, and maintains satisfaction for the public.
Increased Ridership
Simply stated, every public transportation system wants more commuters. Some community bus systems have found that GPS tracking systems which allow patrons to monitor the location and estimated arrival time of their bus via a smartphone application actually increase the overall ridership within the system. For example, if rushed commuters can verify their bus is running on time, or know it is running late, they are much more likely to align their schedules with bus arrival times, resulting in more riders overall.
Fuel Dollars Saved
With fuel costs rising, bus system administrators are becoming increasingly aware of this threat to their bottom lines. As an industry dramatically affected by fuel costs, public bus systems possibly have the most to gain from the use of GPS tracking systems allowing them to identify and remap the most inefficient routes within the system.
Pleased Riders
GPS tracking provides an effective tool for maintaining a city-wide bus system that is hassle free and reliable for patrons, resulting in satisfied, returning public transportation customers.
Today’s business owners are utilizing GPS tracking systems as an effective business management tool for cutting costs and operating more efficiently. If you currently use GPS trackers, or you are interested in purchasing them for your daily business operations, here are a few suggestions for helping you get the most from this technology investment.
Extended Life Battery Packs
Understanding the benefits of GPS tracking battery packs will allow you to benefit more from your GPS tracking investment. Many trackers now come with the option of purchasing an extended life battery pack, which typically consists of a self-contained, magnetic case containing a larger battery and space for housing the tracking unit. By connecting your tracker with this supplemental power source, you will dramatically increase the amount of time your GPS tracker can operate without a charge.
For those using GPS for covert tracking, such as private investigations or law enforcement operations, battery packs for GPS tracking systems provide a compact and discreet method of powering trackers, entirely unattended for days or even weeks at a time. This extended “up time” conserves financial resources by requiring less manpower and reduces the likelihood of an investigation being compromised.
GPS Tracking Software
Understanding what GPS tracking software can do for your business is an important factor in getting the most from your GPS tracking systems. From generating reports on the location of each vehicle within your fleet to automated mileage reporting, GPS tracking software can change the way you do business. Understanding features such as historical data archiving, reporting options, and geo-fencing can help you determine how to best utilize GPS tracking devices.
Selecting GPS Trackers
To get the most benefits from GPS tracking systems, it’s key to understand how you plan to use them. For example, it is important to know whether or not you need a tracker that can be used in extreme temperatures, if you need a waterproof tracker, how often you expect to receive position updates, how accurate you need the tracker to be, and if accessories such as extended life battery packs are available.
GPS trackers are an excellent investment for many businesses. By understanding their features, tracking software, and determining how you plan to use GPS before you purchase, you can assure that you will make the right choice for your business.
A Kentucky van owner was recently able to direct authorities to the exact location of his stolen van and the ultimate recovery of thousands of dollars in stolen goods. On Tuesday, April 2 Carrol County, Kentucky authorities were alerted that the van was missing. With a GPS tracking device installed on the vehicle, the owner was able to utilize GPS tracking software to point authorities to its exact location–a nearby gas station.
The van was found to contain approximately $35,000 in stolen property, mostly items from a medical transportation company. In addition to recovering the van and the stolen goods, two suspects were arrested. Through the use of GPS tracking, not only did the owner recover his vehicle intact, the stolen goods will likely be returned to their owner. Source: http://www.fox19.com/story/21872629/police-owner-uses-gps-tracking-to-find-stolen-van
GPS trackers and GPS tracking software offer business owners and individuals an affordable option for tracking the exact location of their assets, including fleet vehicles, personal vehicles, retail shipments and more. For more information on GPS tracking software, including starting your own GPS tracking software business with unlimited earning potential, visit www.trackingtheworld.com or call 650-692-8100.
TrackingTheWorld’s AVL-300 GPS tracking device brings a new level of flexibility and durability to the GPS tracking market. With the options of both real time and passive tracking, multiple digital and analog inputs, the AVL-300 GPS device can be configured to meet the needs of nearly any GPS tracking application.
The AVL-300 offers 2 digital inputs and two analog inputs, including one that can be used as an extra digital input. The digital inputs make it possible to customize and SOS feature for your AVL-300. The GPS tracking device is also compatible with Garmin’s Fleet Management Interface. Additional cables are required to utilize this feature.
TrackingTheWorld’s AVL-300 also eliminates problems caused by GPS jammers as the device comes equipped with jam detection. The AVL tracker also features motion detection, and a broad range of operating voltages, from 8-32V DC.
Find out more about TrackingTheWorld’s AVL-300 GPS vehicle tracker.
Our newly released Enduro Ankle Case is now available as an accessory for EnduroPro GPS trackers!
Visit the Enduro Ankle Case product page here: http://www.trackingtheworld.com/products/enduroanklecase/
View the Enduro Ankle Case press release: http://www.prlog.org/11718795-trackingtheworld-offers-ankle-bracelet-case-for-enduro-pro-gps-tracker.html
We’ve often blogged about the use of GPS trackers for municipalities, including GPS tracking for school districts and police departments. Here’s another story from Bergen County, NJ that provides an excellent example of how cities and towns are using GPS tracking systems to cut costs and increase efficiency.
In August, the county implemented the use of 100 GPS tracking systems in county vehicles and is considering the installation of 100 more. Since the county police department had previously installed GPS tracking units, the new GPS trackers were spread among multiple county departments, including the public works and parks departments.
County officials cite that they are pleased with the results of the GPS trackers, reporting that the GPS tracking units save time, and result in greater employee attention while driving a county vehicle.
If you’d like to learn more about GPS Tracking devices and GPS tracking software for business fleet tracking, please visit www.trackingtheworld.com.
Source: http://www.northjersey.com/news/129282918_County_puts_GPS_in_vehicles.html
A New York Department of Labor employee is suing his previous employer for
planting a GPS tracking device on his personal vehicle. The man, who
was fired in August of 2010 for suspected time-sheet violations, is suing
the New York Department of Labor for implanting a GPS device in his car in
2008 while he was at work. The data from this device was a major factor in his
termination.
The man and the ACLU have filed a petition against the state. Currently the
matter awaits a ruling in the NY state appeals court.
The device was actually installed by the Inspector General’s office. However,
the New York branch of the ACLU cites that the covert GPS tracking system violates the state’s constitution.
From http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/09/department_of_l.php
Saving cash is important in any business, and with the help of GPS tracker technology
companies that rely on a fleet of vehicles can cut their costs while simultaneously
increasing their productivity.
Case in point, Columbus Water Works recently installed a GPS tracking system
in their fleet of vehicles, and they found that this system effectively increased their productivity by about 15
percent, which allowed them to increase preventive maintenance work order
scheduling by 25 percent. That extra work, without overtime shifts or more pay
was able to reduce the fleet maintenance expenses by one quarter as well.
As anyone with a fleet of vehicles can tell you the maintenance
expenses of the vehicles is one of the biggest expenses that you can
incur. Cutting these costs with the help of GPS tracking devices represent a
significant savings.
Source: http://www.fieldtechnologiesonline.com/article.mvc/Columbus-Water-Works-Increases-Driver-0001
A suspect currently being held without bond at a downtown
Chicago’s Metropolitan Correctional Center on suspicion of robbing a bank found
out that when you take the cash in a sack you get something else that you do
not want, a GPS tracking device.
The device, which helped agents to locate the suspect after he allegedly made off
with roughly $400 from a Bank of America branch in Evanston, Illinois last
week, was included in the bag by the bank staff. The GPS tracker emitted a signal
precise enough that it allowed a team led by the FBI and the Evanston police
force to track him after he left the scene of the crime on foot. The device
tracked him all the way to Chicago before he was arrested.
Source:
http://www.chron.com/news/article/FBI-Ill-officers-used-GPS-device-to-find-suspect-2134491.php
Here’s another story about GPS tracker devices and solving crimes.
According to the New York Post a sting involving a GPS tracking unit has resulted in the exposure of a Diamond District mailman thief possibly responsible for multiple stolen packages containing jewelry over the last several months. The mailman was taken into custody and later released on bail.
The sting worked by placing a GPS tracker in a package designed to send an alert when opened. When the suspected mail carrier opened the package, which he thought contained diamonds, authorities were notified of his exact location.
GPS tracking of packages is not only for police stings. Businesses often use GPS tracking to track their deliveries and provide their customers with detailed delivery information. This results in improved customer relations.
News Source: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/postal_jewel_heists_FvvaslMped4TSG4QCIH4bK
Find out more about GPS tracking for businesses.
