GPS Vehicle Tracking

GPS (Global Positioning System) vehicle tracking uses satellite technology to plot a vehicle’s global position. This is the most accurate way for a tracking unit to identify its location and is generally accurate within 10 metres.

How does it work?

GPS vehicle tracking works through satellites in space transmitting a time and location signal. The tracking device that is installed into the vehicle receives this signal from multiple satellites (usually a minimum of 4) and uses the information to calculate its longitude and latitude. The tracking device then sends this information at set intervals via the mobile phone network to a secure server where it is available to the user via the tracking application.

GPS Technology:

GPS Antennas need to receive signals from a minimum of 4 satellites to be able to accurately locate their position. The GPS constellation always has a minimum of 24 satellites operating which means that there is always a minimum of 4 satellites within line of site at any time, any where on Earth. There are currently (March 2009) 32 active satellites in the GPS constellation which means that GPS receivers are able to receive more signals improving the receiver’s accuracy. It used to be that when vehicles (fitted with a tracking system) were travelling through forested areas or cities with high rise buildings the signal would reflect of tall objects and could result in the tracking system miss locating its position. Improvements in today’s technology have overcome this issue through improved GPS antennas.

GPS Restrictions

GPS vehicle tracking can be restricted when in certain locations/environments or when installed incorrectly. When vehicles enter locations such as tunnels, underground car parks and vehicle depots the GPS signal can be obstructed and is not received by the antenna. This results in the vehicles location being reported back as ‘unavailable’ or ‘unknown’ etc. This does not normally cause a problem as the tracking unit will start reporting its location again as soon as it is clear of the obstruction.

Many tracking applications are able to plot the vehicles position on a satellite image overlay and where possible you can see a satellite ‘birds eye’ view of the vehicles last know location i.e. just before a tunnel or outside a vehicle depot/warehouse etc.

It is essential that the antenna is installed in a suitable position by the engineer installing the tracking system. This is a location where the antennas ‘line of sight’ will not be obstructed by a metallic object usually directly under the top of the vehicles dashboard. Some vehicles have polarized or heated front windscreens; these types of windscreens are metallic and can obstruct a GPS signal. Where this is the case the engineer needs to install the antenna in a more suitable position in the vehicle.

GPS vehicle tracking is the most common type of vehicle tracking system on the market today due to the its ability to quickly and accurately record the vehicles location and record the vehicles mileage and speed precisely. GPS is a free service and no subscription is required.

User Comments:

From: John Reading

This is probably one of the most in depth easy to understand articles about how vehicle tracking actually works.
From: Anna Cooper

Until I read this I had no idea that GPS tracking systems worked off satellites to ascertain their location. I feel educated after reading this article.
From: Geoffrey Skinner

You said that tracking systems can be blocked by a polarized windscreen. Is it possible to block the GPS by other methods? In other words could someone say block a GPS signal on their works van and therefore get away without being tracked by their employee?
From: John Station

Geoffrey, you can but the employer would soon know that there was something wrong when they could not track their vehicle. They would inspect the vehicle and it would not take long to work out what the problem was and rectify it.
From: Barry Obrien

Also there are solutions being released now to stop vehicle tracking systems from being jammed.
From: Sue Campbell

Yes there are tracking systems which stop them from being jammed.
From: Ron Harrod

I did not realise tracking systems also used the mobile phone network. GPS tracking systems appear to be very sophisticated.
From: Sid Hector

It’s quite amazing how they have overcome such issues as picking up GPS signals in areas where there are high rise buildings. It would be interesting to know what other developments you foresee happening in the next few years.
From: Michael Patterson

I have heard that there are solutions being worked on at the moment to overcome some of the GPS restrictions which vehicle tracking currently has.
From: Simon Blacksmith

This is an in depth, yet easy to understand explanation of how vehicle tracking works. Also as someone who is new to tracking it highlights some useful points about tacking which I will consider before choosing a tracking provider.
From: Jane Heath

Yes it is one of the more clear explanations of how vehicle tracking works. Does anyone know anything about geo fencing?
From: Tom Melson

Great article on vehicle tracking and how it works. I would like to make the point that many of the more modern tracking systems are much better at keeping location of the device in difficult situations such as multi story car parks. Although there is still a lot more work to be done in this area.
From: Kevin Henley

Yes Jane I know about geo fencing. This is a feature that many vehicle tracking systems have which enables you to plot in certain areas into your vehicle tracking software. Basically you set pre determined areas on the map and if any of your fleet enter or leave these areas you are alerted by email, sms or both.
From: Gary Wilson

It will be interesting to see how vehicle tracking develops over the next 5 years. I suspect it will become much cheaper and in turn much more popular.
From: Jim Carr

It is a possibility that eventually car manufacturers will even fit fleet tracking systems. If it does happen it will more than likely be an extra and not be fitted as standard.
From: Kathy Warrington

Jim I don’t think that car manufacturers will install fleet tracking systems as standard. The reason being is that every tracking system has to be tied in with a vehicle tracking supplier and each supplier has its own hardware. If people choose to swap supplier at a later date they will have to have the tracking system uninstalled anyway. Therefore I think that fleet tracking will probably not become a standard fixture. Anti theft tracking may become standard, but not fleet tracking.

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