| The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a network of satellites. There are twenty-four active satellites in the system, with three in orbit as back-up units, in case there is a mechanical function failure in one of the twenty-four. These satellites are solar powered and are set up in orbits that allow every place on the earth to be observed from the sky at any given time. Each satellite makes two revolutions around the earth each day. The Global Positioning System was developed by the United States’ military in order to identify both friends and foes, and as a military navigation system for vehicles on land and sea. However, the GPS signals are now available today in the public domain.
General conversation about the GPS usually refers not to the satellites in orbit, but to the receivers used by consumers. The receiver is designed to receive signals of at least four of the positioned satellites, and then it determines the distance to each of the located satellites. The receiver uses a mathematical method called triangulation to calculate its own location.
The technology can be used in many positive ways today, perhaps most often in fleet management and tracking of company vehicles. A business that needs to know where to deliver a product or a service could profit from the information. GPS devices are capable of giving voice messages that will indicate the driver is approaching a specific destination. The business can account for the activities of employees, which could enhance both safety and productivity. More accurate estimations of arrivals and deliveries can improve the company reputation as well as its function. The company will be able to determine the times the vehicle is used, which can help eliminate unauthorized use of their company vehicle. More efficient use of vehicles is possible by choosing better routes, avoiding hazards on the roads, and warning of speed limit violations by company drivers. Cost effectiveness is sure to improve with the better data. In this way, the Global Positioning System vehicle tracking equipment is able to pay for itself within an estimated six to twelve months, and provide increased revenues in the long term.
Another reason to choose GPS vehicle tracking is to lower insurance rates. Many insurance companies offer reduced rates on vehicles equipped with global positioning devices, because the equipment enhances the likelihood of recovering insured property in the event it is stolen. This feature makes the addition of a GPS device attractive not only to businesses, but to individuals, as well.
Perhaps the primary reason individuals or families would choose to enter the realm of GPS vehicle tracking is safety. A family can gain some peace of mind about the well being of a driver who can be located by the GPS mechanism. We have all heard the ads from Onstar. Families of teenaged drivers are especially interested in the safety offered by vehicle tracking.
One method to assure the safety of your teen driver is enhanced is the establishment of safety zones. Set boundaries for where your teen driver can go with relative safety. If he or she crosses that boundary, it is possible to have alarms triggered to warn of the danger. Teens still need to be taught to use their best judgment and learn skills and knowledge that will help them be safe drivers.
One of the attractive aspects of using Global Positioning System technology is that GPS signals do not require a monthly fee. All one needs is a receiver. There are advanced tracking services that can be tailored to the needs of the consumer, such as a service for keeping up with an aging parent. Such services will have nominal fees associated with them. |
GPS TRACKING INFORMATION
