Most fleet managers are familiar with the concept of active GPS tracking (also called real-time GPS) as a method of capturing vehicle location information. By gathering vehicle data via satellite-based GPS and sending it over a cellular network, fleet managers are able to receive real-time updates of the vehicle’s location.

The cost of this approach, however, doesn’t always match the benefit derived from being able to track a vehicle’s location in real-time. In fact, few real-time GPS tracking systems are truly up-to-the-minute. That’s because it would be cost prohibitive to make what are essentially cell phone calls every minute to convey location data. Instead, the solutions are set to transmit current location data every 10 or 15 minutes, on average.

Today, fleet managers have another option to consider when evaluating vehicle location tracking options. Called “passive GPS,” it takes advantage of newer wireless technology to obtain vehicle data without the costs associated with cellular air-time charges.

A COST-EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE

The increasing popularity and availability of WiFi (802.11b/g) networks provides an opportunity for fleet managers to capture and download data about their fleets and relay that information to a monitoring tool at no cost. WiFi, the popular term for a high-frequency wireless local area network (WLAN), is a low cost public wireless network infrastructure commonly used by airports, hotels and coffee shops to provide Internet access to customers – normally at little or no charge. Municipalities are also looking to WiFi as a means of marketing their cities to businesses, providing Internet access to under-served areas, and contributing to larger initiatives such as the U.S. federal government’s No Child Left Behind education act. In cities that have deployed WiFi networks, there are a number of wireless ‘hotspots’ that encompass entire streets, city blocks or regions.

Thus, when a WiFi-equipped fleet vehicle drives through a fleet bay or other area with WiFi coverage, information on its status and location can be automatically transmitted to a centralized application without any intervention required from the driver. The information can then be sent securely over the Internet, the fleet’s own WiFi network, or a city’s WiFi network, and delivered to a web-based business application where reports are run and actions can be taken.

This “passive” vehicle tracking method provides fleet managers with specific route data without the monthly airtime usage fees associated with real-time data transfers. By cutting out the cellular airtime costs – which typically run in the $20 and up per-month, per vehicle range – managers can obtain valuable tracking information at no additional cost. Multiple year cost/benefit analyses show that passive GPS solutions come in at a fraction of the cost of active systems because of the elimination of these ongoing monthly airtime costs.

LOCATION DOESN’T TELL THE WHOLE STORY

In addition to reducing costs, passive vehicle data collection via WiFi can provide more detailed information than would be available through a traditional cellular-based system. WiFi-based solutions can often provide more specific route data than their real-time equivalents as they can record location information more frequently than the typical five-to-fifteen-minute updates of a real-time application.

While real-time location tracking focuses primarily on collecting and transmitting GPS location data, passive tracking allows for the possibility of obtaining diagnostic information directly from the vehicle’s onboard computers as well. A Vehicle Interface Unit (VIU) connected to the vehicle’s diagnostic (OBDII) port can store diagnostic, logistic, fuel, safety and emissions data and send this information wirelessly to an Internet-based application for analysis. Managers can therefore access fuel consumption data, odometer readings, oxygen sensor status, engine coolant temperature, battery voltage, Check Engine (or MIL) status and other diagnostics data to proactively monitor vehicle health and perform preventative car maintenance.

At first blush, the passive approach may appear to be less useful for tracking purposes than a live system because of the lack of ‘real-time’ data. However, most fleet managers will agree that knowing where a vehicle is at every moment during the day is interesting, but knowing where a vehicle was normally provides them with the information they really need.

The question a fleet manager must ask is “In evaluating my daily fleet activities, am I interested in where my vehicles are or does knowing where my vehicles were provide me with the necessary information?” Also, fleet managers should think about whether they have the time to actually monitor this real-time data. Looking at – and interpreting – live data can be a time consuming effort and extra staff may be needed. A handy checklist for determining whether passive GPS would meet the data collection goals of your fleet is below:

If your tracking objectives match those listed at left, then it makes sense to investigate passive data collection for your fleet. Based on the additional diagnostic data provided and the cost benefits associated with passive GPS fleet monitoring systems, many fleet managers are re-evaluating whether real-time GPS monitoring is truly needed in their environment.

Even in cases where real-time tracking is a necessity, many fleet managers are discovering that it not always a necessity for every vehicle or at all times. While certain deliveries or vehicles need to be constantly monitored for the purposes of security, for example, the passive approach may be sufficient for many other vehicles in the fleet.

HARD COST SAVINGS

The Netistix™ FleetPulse™ fleet monitoring system takes advantage of WiFi-based data collection methods to transmit the diagnostic, logistic, fuel and safety and emissions data it collects. By eliminating the cost of sending this data over a cellular network, FleetPulse™ provides managers with a cost-effective method of accessing accurate and timely fleet tracking data. With the data provided, fleet or maintenance managers have the knowledge they need to realize further cost savings costs through route optimization, driver training and preventative maintenance.

For fleets that do require up-to-the minute location information (for dispatching or security purposes, for example), FleetPulse™ can integrate both passive and real-time GPS tracking functionality into a single fleet monitoring solution. Later this year, FleetPulse will be offering an additional active GPS option to the existing Passive GPS capabilities.

Finally, for an example of an actual fleet using the passive GPS monitoring approach, be sure to read the case study found in this newsletter (and on the Netistix web site) detailing how Medigas has reduced costs and increased driver productivity with the Netistix™ FleetPulse™ monitoring system.

Based on your fleet data, Netistix can also develop a business case analysis for the FleetPulse™ system in your fleet. To determine whether a passive or real-time tracking system is right for you, contact Netistix today for a custom business case and FleetPulse™ trial.