Car trackers are resilient devices but not immune to issues.
Major vehicle telematics firm Cartrack explains that as reliable as GPS tracking devices are, they remain a form of technology and as such, come with a few challenges that can have significant implications.
“GPS tracking issues can lead to a wide range of consequences, such as delayed emergency responses, resource wastage, loss in revenue, and legal implications,” said Cartrack.
“Understanding these issues and how they may affect you is essential.”
Connectivity and signal issues
GPS tracking devices usually consist of two modules, a GPS module that connects to satellites and determines the vehicle’s location, and a GSM module that relies on a SIM card and cellular network to send location information to the GPS tracking platform.
“This means if you are in a remote area, where the mobile signal is weak, some updates might be missed or very delayed,” said Cartrack.
GPS signals also struggle with concrete and metal, but can penetrate materials like glass and plastic.
“For a GPS module to function properly, there must be a clear view of the sky,” said Cartrack.
“For this reason, signal loss may occur when vehicles go through tunnels or tall buildings. Severe weather conditions, such as heavy rain, may also affect the signal.”
The solution to this is cloud-based technology that provides precise, real-time location updates, ensuring seamless monitoring even in challenging environments.
In areas of little or no coverage, cloud-based devices continue to update and record up to 5,000 data points such as location and travelling speed.
“This ensures continuous tracking even in challenging environments,” said Cartrack.
“Once the signal is back, you will receive all the data you need about what was happening in that area.”
Cross-border tracking issues
Due to international roaming restrictions, many GPS tracking systems stop working or experience limited functionality when vehicles are outside the country.
“This can be troublesome for businesses such as logistics companies that have drivers who frequently travel in and out of the country,” said Cartrack.
To circumvent this bottleneck, it’s advised to look for a device that supports international roaming.
This feature ensures continuous and accurate tracking across borders and may enable the tracking company to recover vehicles that are stolen and smuggled out of the country.
GPS device malfunctions or hardware failures
Tracking devices built from low-quality materials can be fragile and easily affected by things such as extreme temperatures, blown fuses, and general wear and tear that can affect functionality, resulting in frequent replacement cycles.
Additionally, faulty wiring during installation may cause device malfunction.
When shopping for such a device, look for one that is weatherproof and built with higher-quality materials that can withstand wear and tear.
Also opt for a company with a proven track record as they are more likely to have skilled technicians who perform meticulous installations.
Signal jamming and interference
In an effort to prevent the ability to locate a vehicle, criminals use signal-jamming devices to block or interfere with radio communications, such as GPS tracking systems.
“As a result, if your vehicle is stolen, the recovery service will not see where it is and therefore cannot recover it,” said Cartrack.
“It also gives the criminals more time to search for the device and cast it away.”
Cartrack’s way of negating this issue is a new innovation called the Cartrack-Tag.
When paired with a tracking device, the tag can detect and alert control room services of any signal interference that may occur when a vehicle has been stolen.
Through this, Cartrack is still able to find a vehicle despite attempts by criminals to block it from receiving information.
GPS device tampering
GPS tracking devices that are not strategically hidden can be easily located and tampered with.
Common reasons for tampering include:
- Criminals stealing vehicles
- Employees evading monitoring
- Hackers manipulating GPS tracking data for illegal activities.
Tracking companies thus install their devices in highly discreet, hard-to-reach places to reduce the chances of tampering.
They have also developed solutions such as power event notifications, which send an alert to a central control room if the battery is disconnected as this could indicate tampering.
Software glitches and compatibility issues
Technical glitches are common with every software, and in the tracking industry, they can lead to data inconsistencies and huge delays.
These glitches are caused by outdated software, fleet management tools that do not work directly together, or technical bugs that can cause system failures.
“For example, if the data on a fleet management platform is outdated, fleet dispatchers may not receive live updates,” said Cartrack.
“This results in drivers getting dispatched for delivery jobs that are further than the ones that they are closest to.”
Regular software updates curb this issue and allow the tracking devices to stay up to date with the latest technological innovations.
Overwhelming amount of data or alerts
Constant GPS tracking updates can result in an overload of data, rendering it difficult for users to manage and prioritise information.
Not all alerts are relevant to a specific user, which leads to the person ignoring all notifications and missing the critical ones.
Allowing users to customise alerts is one solution car tracking firms have found.
“For example, a big concern in fleet management is driver behaviour,” said Cartrack.
“Fleet managers can set up alerts on speeding to ensure drivers are practising safe driving habits on the road.”
Privacy concerns
As GPS tracking data has become more advanced over the years, so has the information it can provide about one’s personal life.
Many users worry about how their sensitive information is collected, stored, and used. Improper handling of tracking data can lead to privacy violations and security risks.
As such, using a service provider that is POPIA compliant guarantees your personal data remains secure.
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