Gps

[underground quester]

Okay, need some inside info from those of you who have GPS in their company vehicles.

We have just recently had units put into our trucks.

So, besides the obvious, knowing where you are now
and the historical data they can accumulate on where you have been and how long for how long,
what else can they gather from the GPS.

Speed including fast accelerations?
Braking?
Idling time?
Start ups and shut downs when it is not supposed to be used?
(I sometimes move it out of the driveway to get my personal vehicle out of the garage and I know they know this because of a comment I received).

What else....any thoughts??? Just want to know what they know,or, could know.


ThanX in advance for the input guys!

[Dave72]

Congrats on getting your Big Brother Box.

Some of those units have alot of inputs, and they can put nearly anything into them. Starts, idle time, speed etc. They could possibly put in a detector for WOT to monitor if ppl are goosing the truck. I wonder how many of them bother to hook up an input for an airbag detector to provide instant alert of an employee crashing. Sadly, I bet they dont bother with that one.. they'll just be getting ready to give you heck for sitting still for so long (lol).

It wont be too long before it will be legal for them to have a camera trained on you for your shift.

[GWJ_CAS]

The GPS systems in our trucks monitor everything.

Location, speed, hard acceleration, hard stops, idle time, key on, key off, fuel mileage, all on-board diagnostics, etc. These are probably the same for all systems of this type.

Our system also does the following;

Pre-set usage times, normal hours from 7am to 7pm, alerts of use outside those times are sent to supervisor via email and text message. Geofencing (use within pre-set geopgraphic boundaries), Night Park (where is the vehicle supposed to be parked after working hours?) if it is parked outside its assigned location. Speeding alerts (sends email and texts if pre-set speed threshold is exceeded, smart speed for different roads, Multi-Lane Highways are 77 mph, Rural Highways are 71 mph, surface streets are 61 mph. Geofencing for assigned work area, notices sent for vehcile leaving assigned area, mileage alerts if fuel mileage is substantially different from observed averages (could indicate stealing of fuel).

It also monitors engine performance, if the computer indicates a misfire, bad sensors, or anything else the OBD system can report.

The system creates a "track" of the drivers daily activities that can be replayed from stop to stop, location point to location point, etc. Provides a daily "Stop Report", "Idle Report" and "Mileage Report" for each vehicle.

It reports over the GPRS network (AT&T) and as long as it is in a coverage area, we can send door unlock commands (can be useful). The provider can send a vehcile shut down command if the vehcile is stolen and being followed by police.

From the console (Office PC), we can see all vehicles and with the integration of our ticket management system, we can see the closest unit to an Emergency and dispatch that way if necessary.

It really is Big Brother...But, from the Owner/Employer viewpoint it is a valuable tool for keeping track of the $$$ assets I have driving around.

[OVUS1]

Same with us. We installed a WEX Unit that plugs into the OBD (On-Board Diagnostic) port under the dash of our vehicles. Although these units basically monitor all of the things listed above, we mostly use it to monitor the vehicle performance. We had a couple of new trucks that were shifting funny, and the WEX units alerted us to have them checked. Sure enough, the problem was quickly identified by a local dealer and fixed before it caused major issues.

I understand the perception of Big Brother, but the reality is that every time you key up a radio or make a call on a cell phone, every time you log onto an internal system from a remote location (either wi-fi or through an air-card), any company can easily determine where you are. As an employee, if I am doing what I am supposed to be doing, I would have little issue with GPS or even a truck camera unless they tried to install something on (or in) my body. We live in a world where everybody wants to sue somebody for something, and a company logo on a truck whizzing down the road at 80 makes for an easy target..........As an owner I have a duty to protect my assets (including my employees), so if we see our truck out on a Saturday night when they aren't on-call, or get an alert that one of our vehicles has exceeded the speed threshholds set by ADMIN we will notify them and require immediate compliance with established employment criteria.

[yahoo]

ours will record anything that the vehicle computer reads and stores as data!!!!! that means everything as stated above!!!!

[underground quester]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input.

I personally have no fear of the GPS unit as I have already been told that I am where I should be, when I should be. Don't drive it after hours and don't abuse it. I also answer my phone when it rings.

I had to continue on with a locate that a fellow locator did not have time to complete. Apparently, it takes eight hours to locate one telephone line and 1 gas line for one block. When I questioned this with the supervisor, he pulled up the GPS records and discovered the guy had gone home for 5 hours and booked time. Now, what kind of an asshat would do something like that knowing he had GPS in his truck. Perhaps he does not understand the basic concept of GPS, I don't know.

Anyway, I was just curious what could be tracked. I like the idea of vehicle maintenance and being able to track it if stolen.

I know we already use it to dispatch emergencies and have been already.

At some point in the future, it will be used for dispatching tkts but apparently they have some stuff to work out.

In a development today, they surprised me with a 2009 ranger sport extended cab. Was driving a ranger sport 2006 with no problems. AND, no GPS. When I asked about this the big cheese just said you don't need it at this point.
Okay by me..

[phoenix827]

UQ, We ha a couple "asshats" like that here, notice I said HAD. Ours "supposedly" track everything above speed, area, etc. I know for a fact that I have NOT had one hooked up like that, but they LOOK capable of it. (rs232 port on the side). I have no prob with them, I understand why they are there, and have seen them help AND hang locators.

[underground quester]

Another new development:


So, I am driving the new Ranger and start fidling with the radio (they got SIRIUS radio for us)

Come across Margaritaville radio station. Listened to Jimmy Buffet all day. AHHHHHHHHHHH, a really fine day, fine tunes and new air conditioning...darn near forget to get my locates done.


Life's a bitch...

I can hear SCAP now....who the hell is Jimmy Buffet????

Well Scap, ya gotta be over 50 to know who he is....

[beyond help]

Another new development:


So, I am driving the new Ranger and start fidling with the radio (they got SIRIUS radio for us)

Come across Margaritaville radio station. Listened to Jimmy Buffet all day. AHHHHHHHHHHH, a really fine day, fine tunes and new air conditioning...darn near forget to get my locates done.


Life's a bitch...

I can hear SCAP now....who the hell is Jimmy Buffet????

Well Scap, ya gotta be over 50 to know who he is....

Just remember to "Pass the god damn salt."

[RD_Wrangler]

I can hear SCAP now....who the hell is Jimmy Buffet????

Well Scap, ya gotta be over 50 to know who he is....

I have to contest that statement... I often enjoy a cheeseburger in paradise in route to margarittaville before I get drunk and screw...and I'm 33...so neener neener!!!

[scap]

Ours has a little square box on the dashboard, all the way almost up under the inspection sticker. Pretty sure that's the GPS. As far as Buffet goes, I've heard of him (Who hasn't) but never took the time to try to find his music, or point out songs of his if I've heard them. Surely if I hear some stuff of his, I'll recognize it , as he was a popular artist.

I'll tell you though, I do like some old stuff. There's a movie that's in my top five called 'The Harder They Fall' with Bogart from the 50's that I've seen 61 times. When I run I have some Howlin' Wolf on my ipod.


Whooooaaaaaaa, asked her for water.....

whooooaaaaaaa she brought me gasoline......

whhhoooooaaaaa asked her fo water.....

whoooooaaaa she brought me gasoline....

http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.14153124
(scroll down, click on 'play' on #6)

[Oldtimer]

The company I work for froze our wages this year and took away all our bonuses but started calling us in to install GPS on our trucks this week.

Makes everyone pretty mad that they said they couldn't afford raises or bonuses but found enough money to order and install GPS's in all our trucks.

[TheCableVine]

GPS systems are expensive. If they don't have the money for wages and bonuses, then where did they get the money for the GPS system. It just doesn't make any sense.

I wonder if any of those people have the nuts to explain themselves... HONESTLY?

[beyond help]

That was a crock of shit for them to do that!!!

[scap]

thank corporate beancounters.