After the demo
Most fleet managers first see real-time fleet tracking in a demo. Vehicles are moving, alerts are coming through and the map shows exactly where everything is.
Once the system is installed, different questions start coming up. Why does that van look like it is in a field? Who was driving? What happened during those eleven minutes?
So what can fleet managers actually see with real-time fleet tracking? Position, stops, mileage and driver behaviour. What the system can tell you beyond that depends on how it is set up, including whether driver identification is included.
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What is on the screen
Live position
- A vehicle’s location on the map, along with its speed, direction of travel and ignition status.
Geofences
- Set areas around depots, sites and yards, with alerts when a vehicle enters or leaves.
Journey history
- Departure and arrival times, stops made and how long each stop lasted.
Driver behaviour
- Harsh braking, acceleration and cornering, plus speeding events.
Mileage and idling
- Mileage and idling time by vehicle, day or journey.
Vehicle data
- With a connected unit, the system can also show data reported by the vehicle, such as fuel levels and engine hours.
Four things real-time fleet tracking does not show
These are limits to be aware of before choosing a tracking system.
It shows where, not what happened
Tracking tells you where a vehicle was and how long it stayed there. If it stopped in a lay-by for eleven minutes, the tracking data will show the stop. It will not show what happened during that time. Cameras can provide that extra detail.
Who was driving depends on the setup
A tracker follows the vehicle. Identifying the driver requires the system to have driver identification set up. Without that, you cannot assume who was behind the wheel.
If tracking data is used to monitor workers or support decisions about their performance, data protection requirements also apply. The ICO specifically includes work vehicle tracking within its guidance on monitoring workers.
The live map runs behind
Tracking positions update as new data is received, so the point on the map may be slightly behind the vehicle itself. This is usually less noticeable on longer journeys but can be more obvious on short urban routes. Ask the supplier how often positions update.
It does not tell you why
Three harsh braking events at the same corner show a pattern. They do not tell you what caused it. The cause could be the driver, the road, the load or the sensor. The system flags the event. The fleet manager still needs to work out what happened.
Where cameras add more detail
Tracking shows where the vehicle was. Cameras can show what was happening at the time.
With LiveDrive, fleets with cameras fitted can access live and recorded footage alongside location, route and speed data. The system records routes and speed data and allows recorded footage to be played back remotely.
If a harsh braking event is recorded at 14.32, the fleet manager can check the footage as well as the vehicle location and speed. This gives more information when reviewing an incident or dealing with a claim.
Explore TrafficAngel’s LiveDrive Platform
Why fleets stop looking at it
Tracking systems are more useful when somebody is responsible for checking the data and acting on it.
Too many alerts can quickly become background noise, especially if routine events are reported alongside the ones that actually need attention. The same can happen with weekly reports if they are sent to several people without anyone being responsible for reviewing them.
A better approach is to choose the events that matter to the fleet, switch off unnecessary alerts and give one person responsibility for checking them.
What you are allowed to see
Legitimate interests rather than consent
Tracking data linked to an identifiable driver is personal data, so the operator needs a lawful basis for using it.
The Information Commissioner’s Office guidance on monitoring workers says consent is usually not appropriate in an employment relationship because workers may feel they have little choice. Legitimate interests may be suitable, but the operator needs to consider why the tracking is needed and balance that against the driver’s privacy.
If legitimate interests is used, the decision should be recorded in a legitimate interests assessment.
The impact assessment
A Data Protection Impact Assessment helps the operator identify privacy risks before monitoring starts.
The ICO says a DPIA is required where monitoring is likely to present a high risk. This can include vehicle tracking used to monitor driver behaviour or driving style.
The assessment should cover what information is collected, why it is needed, who can access it, how long it is kept and what measures are in place to protect drivers.
Out of hours and private use
Private vehicle use needs separate consideration.
The ICO says employers will rarely be able to justify tracking a work vehicle while it is being used privately. If private use is allowed, drivers should have a way to stop tracking outside working hours.
Decide how this will work before the system is installed.
None of this prevents a fleet from using tracking. It means the operator needs to decide why the data is being collected, document the decision and tell drivers what is being monitored. TrafficAngel supplies and supports the technology, not legal advice, so operators should take their own data protection advice where needed.
“I can confirm the solution is functional and our drivers are satisfied to use it daily. I would also like to appreciate the approach of your employees, the installation deadlines, and the final documentation processing, thanks to which we had no problem successfully registering the vehicles. We had several technical problems, which were always resolved to our satisfaction, and I am convinced that our cooperation with TrafficAngel will continue on this level.”
Jiří Laurenc – Operational Manager
What real-time fleet tracking shows on your own vehicles
That depends on the units fitted and what your vehicles report about themselves, so ask for a demo using the types of vehicles you actually run.
TrafficAngel fits and supports real-time fleet tracking across vans, HGVs, plant and trailers. Call us on 01825 768555 or email sales@trafficangel.co.uk to arrange a demonstration.
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Frequently Asked Questions
That depends on the unit fitted. Some trackers can store journey data while they are out of mobile coverage and upload it when the signal returns. The live position will not update while the unit is offline, so ask what happens on the system you are being quoted for, particularly if your routes regularly cross areas with poor coverage.
Yes. Drivers need to know what is being recorded and why before the system goes live. If you later start using that data for a different purpose, such as performance monitoring, the information given to staff should be updated too.
Yes. A driver can make a subject access request for personal data the business holds about them, which can include tracking records and footage. Somebody in the business needs to recognise a request when it arrives, as organisations normally have one month to respond.
