GPS Tracking Systems
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All GPS tracking systems use the Global Positioning System to determine and regularly record the location of a person, vehicle or other asset. The systems are popular with government and law enforcement officials, and have many civilian applications. Generally, these fall into the following areas: tracking, mapping, navigating, locating and obtaining precise timing. People involved in hiking, boating, biking and many other activities benefit from this technology. Even farming is enhanced. Farmers use GPS to guide farm equipment in precise rows for farming, fertilizing, and spraying operations. This helps reduce the cost of producing crops.
The Global Positioning System is a network of satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. Although intended for military use, the government made the system available for civilians in the 1980's. Some civilian applications track cars or fleets of vehicles, or monitor packages or equipment to assure delivery or retrieve stolen assets. Monitoring people for medical reasons -- like keeping an eye on Alzheimer's patients -- and finding lost pets are other non-military options. GPS works anywhere in the world, and the information is available 24 hours a day. The government does not impose subscription fees to use the system. However, private companies may charge fees for a GPS car tracking device or data plan. Costs are related to the number of times a vehicle's position is checked or the frequency of monitoring. The devices may not be used to violate local, county, state or federal statutes regarding privacy issues.
A variety of types of equipment is available. Passive devices record information about the car's travels for future downloading and analysis. Another type of GPS car tracking device gives real-time feedback, and records information about the car's speed, direction, and whether the vehicle stops on the way. Combined with earth mapping software, this gives a visual picture about the vehicle's progress. Some GPS tracking systems offer other services, such as monitoring the car for mechnical problems, providing directions and even remotely unlocking the car doors if one has left the keys inside. Another service will cause the car's horn to beep, in order to indicate the location of the vehicle if it is 'lost' in a parking lot! Panic buttons are part of some packages as well, offering medical or police notification in case of emergencies. Some monitoring centers have assisted victims of carjackings by recognizing the situation and alerting the police.
Business owners, especially those with a fleet of vehicles, will certainly appreciate the depth of information which is available through GPS tracking systems. These take the information which is transmitted by satellites and use triangulation to calculate the user's location. Some systems can pinpoint location within about 6 feet. A GPS receiver needs information from at least two satellites to calculate a 2-D position (latitude and longitude), but with four or more satellites, a 3-D picture (latitude, longitude, and altitude) can be obtained. After that, speed, bearing, distance to a destination and other information may be calculated. With special software, an animated picture may be imposed over a street map or satellite image or displayed in a report format. A GPS car tracking device can operate on a battery pack, or can be connected to a vehicle's 12 volt power supply. Depending upon the type of system, information is recorded for future download or transmits live details of a vehicle's progress. Owners use these systems to improve productivity, track service calls for accurate billing, and prevent workers from using vehicles for personal excursions. Using cell phone options, vehicles can also be dispatched or recalled efficiently.
Some types of businesses which could benefit from these services are contractors, distributors, municipal vehicle managers (snowplowing, street-sweepers) and those who deal with perishable commodities. Safety or security issues can be minimized when transporting fuels, chemicals or any type of hazardous materials. Even for everyday transportation needs, GPS tracking systems may be useful for removing careless drivers from a business' fleet. Overtime claims can also be verified. Limousine or bus companies benefit from determining the best times and routes for the vehicles. One type of GPS car tracking device allows a vehicle to be disabled remotely.
Construction businesses may wish to attach GPS tracking systems to equipment which may be tempting to thieves. Construction equipment costs thousands of dollars, so it is worth investing in a number of simple tracking devices which may be magnetically attached to these items. The tracking device is water resistant, so some splashing will not affect the device. However, continual contact with water can cause damage which is not covered by warranties. Because of the nature of tracking systems, most are non-returnable, except for repair.
Some parents use a GPS device for keeping track of novice drivers. Developing trust is an important part of relationships with teens, yet such a device may be useful in times when teens do not arrive home on time and repeatedly neglect to answer a cell phone. Although these situations happen regularly and do not necessarily indicate an emergency, locating the car by means of a tracking system can be a better alternative than trying to track a teen by calling his or her friends or alerting authorities. Drivers known for their need for speed can also be monitored and have their driving privileges suspended until they can handle such responsibility. Let the teen know that the GPS car tracking device has been installed in case of emergency, rather than secretly monitoring the young driver. This can eliminate recriminations and may serve to deter foolish choices. The teen will protest anyway, but openly discussing the matter may help prevent misunderstandings or a tragic alternative. In Psalm 139:9-10, David says, If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Regardless of which GPS system they have, many parents find this the most comforting thought of all.
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