After the deployment of 260 GPS tracking devices in garbage trucks, police cars, and other city owned vehicles over the last few years, the city of Grand Rapids recently suspended and warned various city workers. The reported offenses mostly consist of taking longer than authorized breaks and driving company vehicles for personal use. However, a few years back, a police officer was forced to resign after GPS data revealed that he or she was taking unauthorized breaks outside of his or her designated patrol area.
The city has recently begun installing GPS trackers on fire trucks with the goal of reducing the response times of some calls. Based on data provided by GPS tracking software, dispatchers can easily select the truck in the best position to respond
The tracking devices used by the city of Grand Rapids are not covert tracking devices; all employees are made aware of their presence on city owned vehicles.
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Source: http://woodtv.com/2014/05/12/gps-tracking-gr-city-workers/
The second of four GPS tracking satellite launches planned by the Air Force for 2014 was successfully completed a day late on May 16 due to weather complications on the originally projected launch date. According to CBS News, the $245 million dollar satellite is part of an ongoing effort to replace and enhance the capabilities of existing satellites which have already been in use for years longer than they were designed for.
The effort to upgrade the current global positioning network of 30 satellites is for both military and civilian benefit, especially considering the many ways tracking devices and GPS tracking software have become an integral part of the daily lives of average people, including cell phone applications, GPS trackers for personal protection, covert tracking for law enforcement, and more.
The third satellite launch is set for July 2014, with the fourth to follow in the fall.
For more information on GPS tracking devices and GPS tracking software, visit TrackingTheWorld.
As the abuse of prescription drugs, especially prescription painkillers such as Oxycontin, is on the rise, pharmacy owners and law enforcement are using GPS tracking as a deterrent and a tool for tracking pharmacy thieves. Placed inside prescription medication bottles, the mini GPS trackers inside remain inactivated until motion is detected, allowing pharmacies to stock the “dummy bottles” alongside the real thing in case of a robbery. Upon sensing motion, the GPS tracking device–pill bottle– activates and is trackable using GPS tracking software, allowing authorities to quickly and easily locate it and possibly the suspect. Cleverly designed, some prescription drug bottle GPS trackers are weighted and even rattle when shaken, allowing them to blend in with actual prescriptions without being noticed.
Recycling. Upcycling. Paper-free offices. In today’s world it seems as if we’re bombarded multiple options and continuous pressure to maintain both green businesses and homes. Here are a few ways that adding GPS tracking to your business can help you improve the overall environmental friendliness of your business.
Reduce Fuel Consumption: One of the most pressing environmental and fiscal issues with many business owners is monitoring and attempting to reduce the amount of fuel used, and its cost. GPS tracking software for business vehicles allows dispatchers to easily select the most efficient route of travel—saving fuel, time, and money.
In addition, installing GPS tracking on your business fleet can increase the miles per gallon you get with your vehicles, as GPS tracking software acts as a deterrent for employees tempted to exceed speed limits or drive recklessly.
Working Toward a Paper-Free Office: GPS tracking systems and GPS tracking software can help you reduce the amount of paper waste your business generates through automated reporting options, including work hours and mileage reporting.
Among what has to be one of the most interesting uses we’ve seen for using GPS tracking software is this: Doctors are now using GPS tracking technology to teach patients how to get control of their asthma, and consequently, dramatically reducing their medical costs. Using inhalers outfitted with GPS tracking technology, the tracking devices monitor the location of the patient each time the inhaler is used. By tracking when and where the patient requires the inhaler, doctors can help their patients find patterns related to their exposure to different environments with the goal of reducing overall asthma attacks and inhaler use.
Source:
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/117085/innovative-state-aneesh-chopra-excerpt-asthma-and-gps
Find out More about GPS Tracking Software from TrackingTheWorld.
In the wake of the mysterious and tragic disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH-370, some may be wondering just how much GPS tracking software plays a role in tracking jets like the Boeing 777 and other aircraft. We ran across a great article by BBC Asia that explains how airplanes are tracked. In short, airplanes do use GPS tracking, but the feature is almost exclusively used only for the purpose of informing the pilot of his or her position, rather than air traffic control. Surprisingly, much of air traffic control remains radar-based, with planes using a primary radar, a secondary radar, and ACARS–a system that transmits computer data from the plane to computers on the ground for the purpose of reporting on the health of the aircraft’s various systems.
Here’s the BBC Asia Article:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-26544554
Suspected Thief Forgets He’s Wearing a GPS Tracking Ankle Bracelet
A suspected thief in Washington state either seriously underestimated the precise information provided by his GPS ankle bracelet via GPS tracking software or, more likely, forgot to remove it before allegedly embarking on a spree of theft from an Eagles fraternity lodge. GPS tracking data confirms that the man made multiple trips between the lodge and a nearby motel. Approximately $2,000 was stolen, and the man is now suspected in past thefts based on evidence found at the scene. The police, confirming that truth is sometimes stranger than fiction, stated that “You can’t make this stuff up.” Video surveillance from the night of the alleged crimes has been turned over to authorities, and a second suspect has been identified based on evidence.
Source: http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/yhr/friday/1988790-8/burglary-suspect-leaves-trail-of-gps-evidence
According to the LA Times, a California appellate court ruled on Thursday that holding a cell phone while driving for the purpose of viewing GPS tracking applications is legal. The appeals case is the result of a Fresno man contesting a ticket he received for using the GPS tracking software application on his cell phone (in hand) to figure out how to avert being caught in a traffic jam. After receiving the ticket, the man argued that the 2006 law banned only talking on cell phones while driving–unless a hands-free device is used. After losing in lower courts, the appellate court reversed the earlier decisions, citing that the 2006 law came into effect during a time when cell phones were largely used for talking only–not the myriad of available cell phone apps, including GPS tracking apps, used today. In addition, the appellate opinion stated that banning handling of a cell phone to use a GPS tracking app while driving could also lead to “ridiculous” outcomes, including making it illegal to check a phone for the current time, or simply moving the phone around in the car, for example, from a dashboard to a seat while driving.
Source: http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-cellphone-court-20140228,0,3881509.story#axzz2uejZggdq
The US federal government has recently released funding to aid in purchasing GPS trackers for autistic children at high risk for wandering away and becoming lost. The average cost of GPS tracker for a child ranges from $80-$100 before the addition of data costs/subscriptions for monthly GPS tracking software service.
The release of federal GPS tracking funding comes on the heels of incidents where children have become lost by leaving their homes or their schools. While some children are eventually found unharmed, other incidents have resulted in the deaths of children. Autistic children can be easily sidetracked with curiosity or panic quickly in a new situation. GPS tracking systems do not replace parental supervision but are a valuable extra layer of security when needed.
For more information about GPS trackers or GPS tracking software, please visit http://www.trackingtheworld.com.
Source: http://www.wjactv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/program-help-gps-track-autistic-children-1644.shtml
Similar to just about every other electronic device, GPS tracking devices are becoming smaller and smaller with each advancement in technology. With the decreased sizes of GPS trackers, consumers are able to track smaller devices such as electronics like cameras and laptops.
Recently, an Arizona man realized the value of tracking smaller items of value after his home was burglarized. During the burglary, approximately $10-thousand dollars in jewelry along with a camera and other electronics were stolen. Due to the micro GPS tracking devices installed on the stolen camera, and satellite imagery provided by GPS tracking software, the victim was able to view the location of the suspect’s car and even identify in which area of the suspect’s home his belongings were being stored.
Although authorities were able to recover most of the victim’s belonging based on the GPS tracking information, some of his wife’s jewelry was not recovered. Authorities suspect it could have been pawned shortly after the crime. A suspect is in custody.
Source: http://www.kctv5.com/story/24512811/gps-tracking-device-on-stolen-items-leads-to-arrest
