Since their inception, GPS tracking systems have proved to be a boon for fleet management companies. They are a part of the Truck Fleet Management System and ensure that the drivers reach the right location at the right time.
You can track the vehicles in real-time regarding their location. It helps ascertain various problems in the system that should be addressed.
But with good comes something bad, and the GPS tracking system is not an exception. There are certain drawbacks of using a GPS tracking system, which you must know about to learn every aspect of this technology.
Drawbacks Of Using the GPS Vehicle tracking system
The major drawbacks of the GPS Vehicle Tracking System are discussed here.
Distractions While Driving
Driving is a difficult task. You need to drive in a lane, watch the vehicles in front of you, behind you, rash drivers, signals, fuel theft prevention, etc. Among these, GPS systems act as a major distraction sometimes.
The audio keeps guiding you about the turns and lefts, etc., which distracts you a lot. On the simple paths, where you can drive easily on your own, it is not a help but a handicap.
Signal Interruption
GPS vehicle tracking solutions work with the help of satellites.
Different satellites keep sending real-time data and signals to the system, which translates it to your advantage. But if these satellites are interrupted, it affects the performance.
A satellite signal can be interrupted by many reasons, such as rain, clouds, storms, and other activities in space and way above earth.
Sometimes, the system keeps showing you the same signal for a while, or it changes the location frequently, the background disappears, etc. These interruptions lead to the deteriorated performance of the drivers who rely on these systems.
You must install your GPS in a place that receives uninterrupted signals to avoid this problem.
Inaccurate Information
GPS tracking systems are often joked about due to their inaccurate locations. The satellite that sends you the information it has. Suppose you want to see where a specific road leads.
The GPS shows you the way, but it lacks the information that there is a dead-end or the way ahead is not suitable for vehicles. This inaccurate information increases the wastage of time.
Over Dependency
Workers who cover long distances in remote areas gradually start relying their faith on the proven technology. It has emerged as another problem as workers become too reliant on the GPS and find themselves lost if the system stops working.
GPS truck navigation is a machine, and it can betray you anytime. Over-reliance on the system may disappoint you and put you in unwanted situations.
Employee Resistance
It is not a common problem. Though GPS vehicle tracking offer benefits to both the management and the employees, many employees resist installing dash cams with GPS in their vehicles. They perceive it as a lack of trust in them by their employer.
A dashcam records the activity around your vehicle, and it can detect the way a driver drives, whether he drives recklessly or responsibly, etc.
When you are starting to use truck fleet management software, it is essential to communicate with your employees and tell them about the system’s usefulness. Else, your investment in the software may succumb to a few employees’ resistance.
Battery Drainage
GPS tracking system works on a battery. If there is a problem with the battery, the system stops working and sends the managers into a frenzy. It also leaves the drivers lost in an unknown place. The passive trackers cause this problem most often.
If you are buying GPS vehicle tracking solutions, ensure that they use active trackers. Active trackers put the system to sleep when your truck is idle, stopping the battery drainage.
Other solutions also include using solar-powered panels to power GPS systems. But during rain, it poses another problem.
Criminal Purposes
In companies, access to the GPS servers is given to a few trusted hands. But there is a possibility of hacking these systems. They work with the help of the internet.
If someone gets a hand on your GPS tracking system, they may use it for criminal purposes. The risk is bigger than any other problem, and it jeopardizes the safety of the truck as well as its content. With great ease comes great risk, which should be monitored.
Commercial use
Many delivery companies share the location of their drivers for the sake of transparency with their customers. For example, many food companies share their truck’s tracking ID to ensure customers that they are transporting fresh food to the markets.
Some organizations may collect this information to sell it to other organizations. Transparency can pose difficulty sometimes as it shares your driver’s location with third parties.
Conclusion
A system is beneficial if it has more advantages than disadvantages. GPS tracking has proved to be of great help in the recent past. It helps the managers properly reward the employees who are working great while also monitoring the problems that need solutions.
But one cannot turn a blind eye to the disadvantages. These are some issues which can be taken care of with proper policies in place.
So, weigh the pros and cons, learn how the system works, and buy one for your fleet management company today.