 GPS
for Tracking Fleet Management
 History and Development
Initiated in 1973, the Global Positioning System (GPS), formally known
as the Navstar Global Positioning System, was designed as a dual-use
system with the primary purpose of enhancing the effectiveness of U.S.
and allied military forces. Today, GPS is also rapidly becoming an integral
component of the emerging Global Information Infrastructure with applications
ranging from mapping and surveying to international air traffic management
and automatic vehicle location (AVL). This has also proved to be a very
effective way of using GPS for tracking fleet management.
Components
GPS has 3 parts: the space segment, the user segment, and the control
segment. The space segment consists of 24 satellites, each in its own
orbit 11,000 nautical miles above the Earth. The user segment consists
of receivers, which you can hold in your hand or mount in your car. The
control segment consists of ground stations (five of them, located around
the world) that make sure the satellites are working properly.
How GPS Works
GPS is the only system today able to show you your exact position on
the Earth anytime, in any weather, anywhere. GPS is accurate to within
approximately 150 feet, but in practice accuracy is often far more precise,
usually within 25 feet or less. GPS tracking satellites are continuously
monitored by ground stations located worldwide. The satellites transmit
signals that can be detected by anyone with a GPS receiver. Using the
receiver, you can determine your location with great precision which
is especially useful with GPS for tracking fleet management.
Military Uses for GPS
Although the GPS satellite constellation was completed only recently,
it has already proved to be a most valuable aid to U.S. military forces.
GPS has become important for nearly all military operations and weapons
systems. In addition, it is used on satellites to obtain highly accurate
orbit data and to control spacecraft orientation.
GPS Uses in Everyday Life
- GPS tracking fleet management: GPS Fleet vehicle tracking
systems are being used by commercial and private trucking
companies tracking cars, trucks, buses and other equipment.
These systems are referred to as AVL in association with
GPS for tracking fleet management.
- Emergency management: Dispatchers for police, fire, and
emergency medical service units use GPS vehicle tracking
systems to determine which police car, fire truck, or ambulance
is nearest to an emergency.
- Consumer vehicles: GPS technology is being used as a
theft recovery solution as well as for in-vehicle navigation
systems. This is a very important feature with GPS for
tracking fleet management.
- Wildlife management: scientists use to track population
patterns.
- Engineering: used to help ensure the two ends of the
tunnel between England and France met.
The future of GPS is as unlimited as your imagination. New applications
will continue to be created as the technology evolves.
AVL and GPS: What's the difference?
AVL stands for Automatic Vehicle Location. Any system that uses technology
to locate the position of vehicles (rather than data collected by human
interaction) could be classified as AVL. GPS is one specific way to locate
vehicles and is often part of a GPS for tracking fleet management of
a larger wireless fleet management application.
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