By RAM Tracking on 23 Aug 2023

Construction fleet tracking

GPS technology has woven itself into the fabric of our daily existence, with most individuals utilising it both within their vehicles and across their personal devices. Should you misplace your phone or find yourself struggling to remember the location of your parked car, the aid of GPS tracking swiftly comes to the rescue, enabling you to pinpoint their whereabouts.

The advantages offered by GPS extends far beyond the scope of personal navigation. This technology's utility is readily apparent within the construction industry as well. While the common perception of GPS often revolves around navigation apps on smartphones or dashboard displays, its functionality goes beyond offering directions.

How GPS tracking is used in the construction industry

GPS tracking plays a fundamental role in the construction industry, revolutionising the way construction companies manage their equipment, assets, and projects. Here are some keyways in which GPS tracking is utilised in the construction sector:

• Fleet management: Construction companies often have a diverse fleet of vehicles, including trucks, cranes, bulldozers, and more. GPS tracking allows these companies to monitor the location, movement, and usage of their vehicles in real-time.
• Safety monitoring: GPS tracking can enhance worker safety by providing real-time information about the location of personnel. In case of emergencies or incidents, responders can quickly locate individuals who might need assistance.
• Site security: Construction sites are often vulnerable to theft and vandalism. GPS tracking can be employed to monitor vehicles after working hours, ensuring that unauthorised use is detected, and appropriate action is taken.
• Geofencing: Geofencing involves setting virtual boundaries around specific areas. With GPS tracking, construction companies can establish geofences around job sites or restricted zones. If equipment or vehicles equipped with GPS trackers enter or exit these areas, alerts are triggered, enabling swift responses.
• Efficiency and productivity: GPS tracking provides data on the movement and utilisation of resources. By analysing this data, companies can identify inefficiencies, streamline workflows, and allocate resources more effectively to enhance overall productivity.
• Documentation and compliance: GPS tracking generates a trail of data that can serve as documentation for work performed, routes taken, and compliance with regulations. This information can be valuable for audits and legal purposes.
• Cost management: GPS tracking allows construction companies to closely monitor fuel consumption, maintenance schedules, and overall equipment usage. This data assists in controlling operational costs and making data-driven decisions to optimise spending.

In essence, GPS tracking can transform the construction industry by providing real-time visibility, enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring site security, and promoting better resource management. It's a technology that has become indispensable for modern construction companies striving for increased productivity, safety, and profitability.

How does GPS asset tracking work?

GPS asset tracking works by utilising Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to monitor and track the location, movement, and sometimes other relevant information of assets such as vehicles, equipment, and valuable items.

Within the world of GPS asset tracking, numerous categories of assets are carefully monitored to streamline operations, enhance security, and elevate efficiency. Some key asset tracking categories include:

Equipment tracking:

In the scope of heavy-duty machinery and construction equipment, the tracking of vital assets plays a crucial role. Through GPS technology, the precise locations of equipment can be continuously monitored, enabling construction companies to manage their fleet with precision. This level of oversight assists efficient resource allocation, minimises downtime through proactive maintenance scheduling, and optimises workflows to ensure that equipment is consistently deployed where and when it's needed most.

Trailer tracking:

For organisations that rely on trailers to transport goods across various routes and destinations, trailer tracking becomes an invaluable asset management tool. Regardless of the journey trailers may take, the ability to remotely monitor each trailer's location and status from a central hub or even while on the move via mobile apps provides thorough control over fleet logistics. This translates into optimised route planning, reduced transit times, and heightened visibility into operations.

High-value asset tracking:

The tracking of high-value assets involves a range of items, from specialised tools to critical machinery components. This category of asset tracking grants peace of mind to businesses by ensuring that essential tools are available where they're required. This level of oversight minimises delays caused by misplaced or unavailable equipment, streamlines project execution, and fosters a continuous flow of operations.

Whether it's the robust machinery of the construction site, the trailers navigating motorways, or the indispensable tools of the trade, GPS asset tracking empowers organisations to navigate modern businesses with confidence and precision.

How can GPS tracking improve driver safety?

Reckless and aggressive drivers pose a significant liability to your construction enterprise. A single accident has the potential to inflict substantial financial losses upon your business, whether it results in bodily harm or vehicle damage. It’s important that any vehicles affiliated with your company stick carefully to safety protocols, a mandate that becomes even more critical when these vehicles bear your company logo.

Even the most adept and safety-conscious drivers can find themselves tempted to accelerate when pressed for time or momentarily let their focus waver. An accident can materialse in the span of a mere second's distraction.

Employing a GPS device on your vehicles can create a culture centered around safety consciousness. Your employees become aware of the fact that their actions are being monitored and logged. Instances of aggressive driving or taking unassigned routes to job sites will not go unnoticed. Often, this realisation alone is sufficient to encourage better behaviour.

With the data gathered from the GPS device, you can introduce alerts to provide real-time coaching, allowing improving of driving habits. This approach permits you to hold drivers accountable for unsafe behaviour and extend opportunities for enhancement, mitigating the need to rely on;

• Customer complaints.
• Observations from other motorists.
• Reports from their peers.

Conclusion

In the realm of modern construction business, where safety, efficiency, and accountability are paramount, the integration of GPS tracking technology helps businesses move towards success. By embracing GPS tracking, construction companies can surpass the challenges posed by reckless driving and irregular asset management. This technology empowers businesses to foster a culture of safety awareness among employees, optimising fleet operations, and streamlining project execution. The ability to monitor, analyse, and react to real-time data not only safeguards against potential liabilities but also nurtures a proactive approach to risk mitigation and resource allocation.