This is a quick update to our previous post detailing the New York court decision to allow limited, but warrantless GPS tracking of government employees. In a dissenting opinion, the controversial decision has been called a “dangerous precedent”. The decision was made as a result of Cunningham vs. the New York Department of Labor, where a government employee was tracked on his off time for the purpose of investigation whether or not he was honestly reporting his time spent on the job. Government actions (employee GPS tracking) in this case were deemed unreasonable by the court.
Yesterday, the New York Daily News reported that New York’s top court has decided in favor of limited GPS tracking government employees. But the decision to allow some use of tracking devices, related to a 2008 misconduct case against a Labor Department official, didn’t come without clarification of what the court considers to be overstepping employee privacy. Drawing a fine line between acceptable and excessive, the court ruled that while the government can utilize vehicle tracking during hours they claim to be working, after hours and vacation time are off limits. With the court citing that employees have a “reasonable expectation” of privacy, and that government employers should exhaust other options before resorting to GPS tracking, the decision is considered significant in it’s challenge to the government’s previous stance that around-the-clock GPS tracking was acceptable. Tell us what you think about this decision!
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No More Lost Luggage?
Did you know that an average of 4 pieces of luggage are lost on every Boeing 747 flight? That’s a lot of suitcases and it adds up to billions of dollars every year. The Daily Mail Reports that Airbus has developed new smart luggage which includes a built-in satellite GPS tracker and a barcode display to both locate the luggage if lost, and identify the owners. The system works with a smart phone app, which involves passengers sending their flight information to the airline, and the airline responding with a unique bar code for every piece of luggage–which then shows on the bar code display.
Cemetery Robber Caught on Video
After visitors began complaining to a Sandusky, Ohio cemetery about items such as flowers, vases, and plants missing from graves, the Sandusky Police set a trap for the thieves by placing a GPS tracking device in a potted tree. After about a week of surveillance, the thief was spotted on video stealing the tree. Using the tracker and GPS tracking software, police were led to a home where multiple items such as urns, vases, and plants were found.
Here Kitty, Kitty
Ever wonder what your cat is up to when you’re away? The BBC recently requested a study using GPS tracking collars and cameras to track the movements of 50 cats. Results from the one week project showed that cats can be pretty sneaky, including one cat who entered his neighbor’s home through the cat door to steal cat food.
Here are our favorite GPS tracking news stories for Friday, June 7, 2013:
GPS Inventor Says Self-Driving Cars to Come
Brad Parkinson, former United States Air Force colonel credited with the invention of GPS, says that the future of GPS tracking technology is self-driving cars. Due to the advancement of GPS tracking technology, Parkinson said self driving cars could be just a few years away–especially since companies like Google are already testing them. Parkinson is now a professor at Stanford.
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/07/tech/self-driving-cars-inventor-gps/
GPS Technology for Tsunami Warning Systems
The BBC recently reported that GPS tracking technology may soon be used to increase early warning time in the event of tsunamis caused by earthquakes. According to the report, GPS will be used to measure even the slightest changes in the geography of the coastlines in countries most likely to be affected by tsunamis to provide faster warnings than current tsunami warning systems which use seismic activity data.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22572096
NASA Working On GPS for Navigating Space
Popular Science reports that NASA is developing an “intergalactic” GPS system aimed at facilitating space travel anywhere in the universe. Navigation for space travel currently relies on radio signals sent from Earth, but those signals weaken with distance. The GPS project is designed to rely on light beams produced by neutron stars known as pulsars which spin rapidly and emit steady beams of light.
Source: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-06/nasa-working-intergalactic-gps
In today’s very competitive marketplace, the ability to operate efficiently can make a significant difference in any business’s ability to be successful. As one of the most effective business tools available, GPS tracking software provides business owners added efficiency in a number ways.
Their Time Equals Your Money
The more your business can achieve in fewer hours, the more profitable and competitive it will be. With GPS tracking software, dispatchers can easily save time and dollars by having the ability to see where every vehicle in your fleet is at any time—speeding up response times, and optimizing travel routes. Especially for service providers, the ability to make more calls in less time can greatly improve the productivity level of every work day.
Reporting Made Easy
GPS tracking software offers automated reporting options to both speed the pace of business and help you analyze where your money is going. These reporting options include mileage tracking, monitoring idle time, and route playback.
Asset Protection
As mentioned in our previous post on GPS tracking for loss prevention, GPS tracking devices can greatly improve the chances of recovering stolen property without damage. The devices, used with GPS tracking software, allow business owners to see the location of their assets, and notify authorities.
Here’s a great GPS tracking news story for Friday… A Michigan Rite Aid Clerk managed to slip a GPS tracking device into the pillow case a robber was using as a loot bag. As she filled the pillow case with $5,000 in cash from the store’s safe at the robber’s demand, the clerk dropped the device into the bag. Shortly after leaving the store, the GPS unit was activated, leading authorities to the suspect and his alleged getaway driver. Both were arrested, and cash totaling $4900 was recovered.
Source: http://www.freep.com/article/20130415/NEWS/304150173/thief-Rite-Aid-Burton
Here’s another GPS tracking news story from our archives: Tracking Eagles with GPS tracking software.
A recent report by the Arizona Daily Star indicates that caregivers are increasingly using technology such as GPS tracking software in caring for elderly loved ones, especially Alzheimer’s patients.
With GPS tracking software and a tracking device, caregivers can receive scheduled location updates at specific intervals for the person he or she is caring for. In addition to the convenience of receiving regular location information, the GPS tracking software provides an added safety measure for emergencies, allowing caregivers to quickly and easily pinpoint the location of their loved one if they are lost.
The article mentions other forms of technology useful for caregivers, including medication reminder cell phone apps, and caregiver tips via text message.
Enduro Pro GPS Tracking Device
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The New Jersey Herald reports that Sussex County authorities are testing the use of GPS tracking ankle bracelets on screened non-violent offenders in an early release program as an effort to reduce costs such as housing and medical care for inmates. According to the article, a second inmate is soon to be released on the program. Using GPS tracking software authorities can monitor participants who are confined to their homes and immediate areas. Authorities are testing the GPS tracking program in hopes that it will reduce the cost of housing inmates and providing medical care.
Source: http://www.njherald.com/story/22020533/inmates-sent-home-in-test-of-ankle-gps
At TrackingTheWorld, we’re always looking for the latest and most interesting news on GPS trackers and GPS tracking software. Here’s are a few GPS news items we’ve found for you today:
Campus Transit
The University of Arizona is planning a test of GPS tracking system on the campus shuttle system, known as CatTran. Officials hope the $55,000 dollar investment will help increase ridership by as much as 10-percent. The service will be free for students.
GPS Leads to Arrest in Series of Car Burglaries
Lee County, Florida deputies have made arrest in a string of car burglaries due to a GPS tracking device installed in a stolen vehicle. The suspects allegedly stole the vehicle and then embarked on a series of vehicle burglaries looking for valuables. When the owner of the stolen vehicle realized it was missing, he simply pulled a report using GPS tracking software to not only find his vehicle, but information on every location where the alleged thieves stopped.
Source: http://www.nbc-2.com/story/21935998/gps-tracker-helps-solve-string-of-burglaries#.UWg_S5DD_IV
