Real-Time Tracking with GPS Connectivity Solutions for Fleets

It is obvious that managing a whole fleet as an individual manager is hectic. Fortunately, with advancing technology, fleet companies have been able to manage every task at hand due to the availability of GPS connectivity for fleets.

All fleet operations that use GPS connectivity solutions can now obtain their vehicles’ locations, the amount of fuel used so far, as well as information about vehicle conditions anytime they need to. So, what exactly is GPS for fleets? How exactly does it work? If your fleet business requires it, how will the equipment be installed? What are the benefits of using GPS in a fleet? Let’s find out.

GPS Connectivity

GPS is an abbreviation for the global positioning system. This is a system that is linked to navigational satellites and also ground stations. It is used to locate a vehicle with an installed GPS device or anything else with a GPS receiver like a smartphone or even a smartwatch. GPS is an essential part of navigation in modern life.

How Does It Work?

The system works through a method known as trilateration. To navigate, a GPS-enabled device requires a minimum of four satellites and unobstructed sightlines. Then, the device makes all the other calculations concerning the location and the GPS receiver’s time.

Three satellites produce the location of the GPS receiver on the surface of the earth. The last one is commonly used to confirm information from the other three satellites. The fourth satellite is also responsible for calculating the altitude of a receiver, moving us into the third dimension.

How to Install GPS Connectivity

As a fleet manager, you need to understand how to install GPS connectivity in your fleet. This is simple. Mainly two methods are used.

·   Use a plug-and-play device – This method requires power. It can only be found in a fleet vehicle's OBD port. The process is easy. You just need to know where the OBD connector is. Then, you plug in the GPS device, register, and finally start tracking your vehicles.

·   GPS management software – This software helps fleet managers to monitor the real-time locations of the vehicles, their speeds, and many other functions. The good thing is that the software, which mostly comes as an app, can be installed on smartphones.

Eyeride LLC is a company that sells GPS connectivity solutions like internet-enabled GPS trackers and cameras that your business requires to manage the fleet. It is the best place to purchase this equipment.

Advantages of GPS

There are a lot of advantages that come with the real-time tracking of your fleet using GPS.

·   Cheap – This system is very affordable, unlike other navigation systems, which require a lot of money to buy and install.

·   Easy to use – GPS makes the fleet’s navigation easier as it will tell drivers all the directions and all the turns to take to reach the right destination.

·   Helps in fleet management – It is easy to manage your fleet using GPS no matter how many vehicles your fleet has. 

Conclusion

If you were wondering whether or not to start real-time tracking with GPS for your fleet, now is the time. Your business productivity will increase, and the whole management process will be easier.

How to Safely Share the Road with Big Trucks

Big trucks are always on roadways across the nation. If they are involved in an accident, it can be much more severe than accidents involving only passenger vehicles.

In one recent year, just tanker trucks specifically were involved in 5,733 crashes. Of those, 372 were deadly. This doesn’t even take into account all the other types of big trucks on the road.

Trying to avoid big trucks can be an important part of staying safe on the road, as can defensive driving techniques.

The following are things to keep in mind when it comes to safely share the road with big trucks or even staying away from them as much as you can.

Give Them Space

The most important thing you can do on the roadway is given big trucks, as well as buses and RVs, plenty of space. Give them significantly more space than you would even another passenger vehicle.

When you give big trucks more space, you’re shielding yourself from a lot of potential risk of sharing the road with them. It’s one of the single most effective tactics to protect yourself, along with remaining vigilant and alert.

You should aim to give regular passenger vehicles a three-second distance at least, so with big vehicles and trucks, go for at least five.

Also, as a side note, if you can’t see the truck driver’s face in their mirrors, they can’t see you.

Along with generally leaving enough space when you’re near a big truck, ensure that you leave enough room for trucks to change lanes when they need to and never pull over in front of big trucks. A truck driver doesn’t have the ability to stop quickly, especially if they’re pulling a heavy load.

Be Cognizant of Cargo

It’s not just the truck itself that can be potentially dangerous to share the road with when you’re driving. You need to watch out for the cargo too.

For example, if you’re driving too near a flatbed truck with oversized cargo and the load falls, it can cause severe injuries to people nearby in a passenger vehicle.

As far as 18-wheelers with closed trailers, if you see the trailer doors looking partially open or perhaps moving, then it could mean they aren’t secured the right way. You should move out of the way.

Give Room for Turns

A lot of accidents involving big trucks occur when they are trying to turn. Watch out for a truck’s signals.

If a truck driver is signaling they need to turn right, don’t pull up to the trucks’ right side. They need the space for a wide turn.

Know Trucks’ Blind Spots

By understanding the blind spots of a truck and the driver, you’re more prepared to make safe driving decisions.

For example, truck blind spots can include areas on either side of the truck and the area that’s right in front of it. The area right behind a truck is also a blind spot.

Don’t spend time in a truck’s blind spots if at all possible. You might need to slow down or speed up to get out of a blind spot.

Overall, try not to ever drive right next to a truck.

Pass Quickly

If you have to pass a truck, do so as fast as you can. Due to the blind spots listed above, truck drivers might not be aware of what you’re doing or even that you’re there in the first place. If you’re going to pass a truck, ensure you have ample space.

Use Your Turn Signals

Turn signals are something that is so important for all drivers. If you’re going to be changing lanes or turning, use your signals. Truck drivers need those signals to know what they should do next.

Be Mindful of Driving

When a truck driver is tired, texting, or even under the influence of substances, you might notice them drifting between lanes. Trucks can also drift when the winds are high and the vehicle is pushed around, especially if the truck isn’t fully loaded.

Watch for indications a truck is drifting, and stay as far away as you reasonably can.

Overall, following defensive driving guidelines will be best to avoid getting into an accident with a big truck. There are certain things you can’t control on the roadway, but you can fully control your own driving behavior and decisions.

Avoid any sudden lane changes or movements and give notice if you need to make a change.

HGV Driver Tips

If you’ve just started out as an HGV (heavy goods vehicle) driver your first journey can be daunting. The first thing you need to do before setting off, just like with a car, is insure your truck with a reputable broker. Driving an HGV takes more skill and caution than driving a car though. You are going to be taking up a huge amount of space on the roads in a very heavy vehicle and you therefore need to be extra careful when it comes to other drivers. Here are some tips that will help make HGV driving that little bit easier for you.

Plan Your Journey

With such a tight schedule to stick to, a long journey ahead, and such a troublesome vehicle to drive it is crucial to thoroughly plan each journey before you undertake it. Firstly, take a look at travel news to plan a route that avoids current traffic build-ups. You want your journey to be as stress-free as possible so that you can focus on driving safely. For information on traffic cameras, toll cameras and vehicle height cameras take a look at this ALPR camera database. Learn more about ALPR cameras. 

For the first time you’re going to have to start getting into the habit of considering the kinds of roads you can drive on. They will need to be nice and wide with even surfaces and no potential obstacles such as bridges, which could completely halt you in your tracks. In an HGV you’ll also struggle to make it around tight bends so bear this in mind too when you’re planning your route.

You will also need to schedule in regular fuel stops so that you don’t run out, as this could be disastrous. Rest stops are also important especially for an HGV driver who must be extra vigilant at all times, so make sure you factor in plenty of these too.

Your Load

Before setting off, make sure you do a thorough visual check of your vehicle to look out for any potential problems that could arise while you’re driving. Trying to fix a flat tyre on an HGV for example, is a much bigger task than on a car. It’s also really important to check that your load is firmly secured. Having a loose load can be incredibly dangerous for other drivers around you. If you pull up for a rest and your vehicle is empty, leave the doors open to show that there is nothing inside for opportunists to try to take.

Physical and Mental Health

Physical and mental health are a particular concern for HGV drivers. Your job is quite one-dimensional and you are sitting in one spot for hours on end day by day. In order to look after your health, try to make sure you exercise during your breaks by taking a stroll and keeping your circulation going. It can be tempting to eat convenience foods at service stations too, but this can lead to your diet becoming very unhealthy. Either make sure you choose healthy options or try to take pre-prepared meals with you. Keep your mind active while you’re driving as well in order to avoid depressive thoughts for example, listen to the radio, music, and podcasts.

There is more to HGV driving than simply hopping into the cab and setting off. It takes careful preparation of your vehicle, your route, and careful consideration of the potential effects on your physical and mental health.