Advances in GPS fleet tracking have changed the trucking industry for the better. Although GPS tracking has existed for many years, the onset of the internet of things and connected devices has improved the effectiveness of tracking systems. Especially in the trucking industry.

With GPS, fleet managers can track all the vehicles in their fleets in real time. View past location records to improve operations. And utilize various data points and key insights to increase efficiency and profitability.

GPS fleet tracking has truly become essential in the day-to-day operations of fleets of all types and sizes. In this article, we’ll highlight the multiple benefits of GPS tracking.

What is GPS fleet tracking?

GPS or global positioning system is a worldwide radio-navigation satellite system. It helps you remotely track the location of your drivers and vehicles.

The system relies on a transmitter inside a phone or a navigation device. It sends out a signal received by multiple satellites in space.

Read: What is GPS fleet tracking technology?

Top 10 benefits of GPS tracking and geofencing

GPS fleet tracking can help improve business productivity and streamline operations. Essentially, it makes life easier for drivers and fleet managers.

Here are some important benefits of GPS tracking systems and geofencing:

1. Smarter route planning

GPS fleet tracking can also help identify the best and worst roads by reviewing details for past trips using the location history map. Fleet managers can optimize routes by identifying busy roads with location-based historical data.

Optimizing routes can directly increase how efficient and productive drivers can be.

2. Safety against cargo theft

In 2018, there were 592 cargo thefts in the U.S. worth $142,342.

GPS tracking and virtual geofenced parameters can help prevent vehicle and cargo theft. Fleet managers can keep track of the location of all vehicles in real time. And take quick action if a vehicle deviates from its path.

3. Prevent unauthorized vehicle use

With real-time GPS fleet tracking and location history records, fleet managers can quickly identify if a vehicle is being misused for side jobs or personal use.

4. Reduced administrative burden

Fleet managers also reduce administrative burden by eliminating manual paperwork and minimizing phone calls to drivers.

A fleet administrator can get real-time updates just by looking at their fleet management dashboard.

5. Automated real-time alerts

As GPS tracking can track vehicles in real time, fleet managers can create virtual parameters to set up geofenced alerts whenever a vehicle enters and leaves a job site.

You can plan your operations and daily tasks more productively when you don’t have to manually keep track of your vehicles. Knowing where all your vehicles are and receiving automated notifications when they enter or exit important destinations can help reduce administrative burden.

For instance, it’s a huge benefit of GPS tracking to be able to inform customers of delays. Similarly, fleet managers can also notify shippers or receivers based on geofenced alerts. That is, if drivers are about to reach the facility. Early notifications can speed up processes, increase productivity, and reduce detention time.

6. Usage-based invoicing

GPS tracking helps you know where your vehicles and assets are and how long they’ve been there. This is especially helpful for oil and gas companies. Accurately calculating time on site is important for invoicing and getting paid.

Fleet administrators can easily manage billing, invoicing, and payroll with location-based data.

7. Better customer service

GPS fleet tracking and real-time vehicle location data can help you provide improve your customer service and get a leg up on your competitors.

When you know exactly how far away your vehicles are from their destination, you can deliver accurate estimated times of arrival to your customers.

8. Increased productivity

Another benefit of GPS tracking is that you can become more competitive by tracking performance against delivery service level agreements. A service-level agreement (SLA) defines the level of service you expect from a vendor and lays out the metrics. It also includes remedies or penalties if the level of service level isn’t met.

For example, if your SLA says you’ll deliver a package by 10 a.m., you can prove that you were there on time or before the expected delivery time with GPS.

9. Reduced detention time

Detention time can cost fleets up to $1,280 per driver per year. Moreover, according to a DAT survey, only 3% of drivers receive detention fees for over 90% of their claims to shippers.

That’s why it’s important to reduce the possibility of detention time with GPS tracking and geofencing.

With real-time vehicle tracking and automated geofencing alerts, you can easily identify when a driver enters and exits a facility. This information can help you identify unproductive shippers and receivers that detain drivers for too long and too frequently.

Motive customers can also use Facility Insights, which shares detailed warehouse information. This includes average dwell time and peak hours.

10. Reduced fuel usage

According to a 2018 ATRI report, the operational cost of trucking increased by 7.7% from 2017. Of all the different types of operational costs, fuel costs recorded the highest year-over-year growth. A jump of 17.7%.

Fuel can be one of the biggest operational expenditures for most fleets. By optimizing fuel usage and reducing waste, fleet managers can focus on profitability.

Fleet managers can compare multiple routes with GPS tracking and historical reports. Identify the amount of fuel each route takes. And pick the most efficient route to minimize fuel wastage.

With more visibility into operations, location history, and smarter route planning, you can cut down on operating expenses.

Improve productivity and profitability with GPS tracking

The Motive’s fleet management solution comes with a built-in GPS tracking system that allows fleet managers to view each driver’s real-time location on an interactive map.

Additionally, fleet managers can view the location history for any driver or vehicle to find out exactly where they were at any point in time.

Learn more about GPS fleet tracking. See how it can help your business become more efficient, productive, and profitable.