Yes, you can track a truck location without GPS, but there are certain limitations, and the methods vary in cost and effectiveness. Any business owner with a fleet knows how crucial consistent visibility is. It’s a matter of security and efficiency, and any compromise poses a significant risk.
South African businesses continue to face difficulties when it comes to truck safety. Fleet vehicles are 56% more likely to be targeted for vehicle crime than personal vehicles, and truck hijackings have shown a sharp year-on-year increase. This strongly highlights the fact that businesses can’t afford to lose sight of their fleets. Loss of visibility means vulnerability!
When GPS fails, what are your options? If your tracking unit has been tampered with, is there anything you can do? In this guide, we’ll take you through your tracking technology alternatives, the pros and cons of these options, and how the Cartrack Tag is the safety net you need to maintain control over your fleet’s visibility.
Yes, it’s possible to track a truck’s location without GPS, but there’ll be some restrictions. When tracking using alternative means, you won’t get the accuracy and reliability of tracking with GPS. Some of these alternative methods include cellular network tracking, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth locating services.
There are numerous reasons why you might need to track a truck without GPS, and they’re almost always connected to issues of safety and risk management.
Consider these actual-world scenarios:
FreightNews reported that truck hijackings rose by 6.6% over the decade from 2004/05 to 2013/14, with a 5.1% increase in 2013/14 alone. This is according to former South African Police Service (SAPS) commissioner Ria Phiyega. Analysts note, however, that general crime figures may be underreported, so the true scale could be even higher.
As a redundancy and precaution, consider using alternative locating technologies to protect your fleet of trucks if GPS fails.
Look at these practical protective measures:
Tracking without GPS introduces limitations that include coverage difficulties and fragmented insights.
Consider these limitations:
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There are numerous methods of tracking a truck without GPS, and these include SIM triangulation, Bluetooth-based location services, and Cartrack’s Tag. Every option works differently and has its own pros and cons. It’s important to clearly understand each of them so you can decide which works best for you as a backup strategy.
Cellular Network Tracking (SIM triangulation) helps you understand where a vehicle is by detecting the SIM card’s signal strength in relation to surrounding cellphone towers. This helps pinpoint a location where the signals intersect.
Pros:
Cons:
RFID is wireless technology that uses electromagnetic or radio waves to track and identify tags located in the vehicle. An RFID reader is typically used to process data, and readers are often found at particular checkpoints or depots.
Pros:
Cons:
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-based location services estimate a truck's location by using Wi-Fi access points and Bluetooth beacons and determining signal strength.
Pros:
Cons:
ANPR uses cameras and optical character recognition (OCR) to detect and read number plates on vehicles. This information tracks movements and typically processes data for traffic management and law enforcement. Alerts are immediate, and ANPR can pick up on ‘blacklisted’ plates.
Pros:
Cons:
The Cartrack Tag is a wireless unit that doesn’t depend on any cellular connectivity, working as an anti-jamming and tracking device. It can be discreetly fitted onto various vehicles and assets. It also uses a proprietary radio frequency (RF) network that provides better protection and improved recovery efforts.
Pros:
Cons:
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Use this table as an easy way to understand and compare your various backup tracking options.
Take a look:
The Cratrack Tag keeps visibility on your fleet even when there isn’t any GPS connection. We’d argue that our Tag is one of the best options for complete and maximum security, offering you additional protection and filling the tracking gaps when you need it.
The Cartrack Tag is triggered the moment a GPS signal is lost. Because it’s an anti-jamming device first, the Tag is usually triggered by tampering/jamming of a primary GPS tracking device. Once the primary device detects jamming and can’t communicate using the GPS signals, it’ll switch to the Cartrack Proprietary Radio Frequency (CPRF) Network, which is unaffected by jamming.
Cartrack Tags send out a ‘pulse’ to nearby primary tracking devices, which respond by effectively saying, “I’m here.” This constant exchange keeps the vehicle visible within the network. The Tag also has a large power source, giving it an estimated 5-year battery life.
Your fleet of trucks gains complete visibility and protection from the Cartrack Tag, especially when you know it’s a fully supportive addition to your GPS tracking device. You won’t have to worry about fragmented solutions. Accurate GPS tracking is reinforced by our Tag’s constant protection against signal interference and tampering.
Here’s more on what you can expect:
It’s possible to track a truck without GPS by using alternative methods like cellular triangulation, RFID, or ANPR. These methods come with limitations, though, and they include lesser accuracy and dependence on external infrastructure. While they can offer additional insights, they can't replace GPS for comprehensive fleet visibility.
Your best solution is to combine GPS tracking with the Cartrack Tag. This dual-layered approach ensures complete coverage, delivering maximum security and true peace of mind.
Keep your fleet visible 24/7. Don’t let jamming, tampering, or signal loss put your trucks at risk. Contact our experts to see how Cartrack can keep your business moving.
Q: Can I track a truck location without GPS online?
A: You can track a truck location without GPS online, but your choices are fairly limited. A few systems use structures like signal towers or checkpoints, though they won’t give you the constant feed that you’d need. In practice, if you want regular updates, the safest bet is still GPS with a backup tracking device.
Q: Is it legal to track a truck without GPS in South Africa?
A: Yes, it’s legal to track a truck without GPS in South Africa if you’re following the rules and staying in line with privacy protection laws. Remember: always be transparent with your drivers and ensure you have their consent. Staying compliant is easy with Cartrack, so you can focus on running your fleet without having to worry about potential legal issues.
Q: Are number plate recognition systems widely available across South Africa?
A: Number plate recognition systems are only really available across major highways, toll gates, and some urban areas, but it’s important to note that coverage isn’t nationwide. These won’t provide continuous tracking and will likely have gaps in data feedback. This makes ANPR helpful for authorities carrying out checks, but not necessarily for you, a fleet manager needing full visibility.
Q: Can someone else track my truck if the GPS is off?
A: No, someone else wouldn't be able to track your truck if the GPS is off because a truck with no GPS won’t be detectable. This is the case for criminals who rely on GPS tracking for nefarious activities. Ensure you have a reliable backup system in place, like the Cartrack Tag to have eyes on your fleet at all times.
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Worried about keeping an eye on your trucks when GPS fails? Discover non-GPS methods and how Cartrack Tag keeps your operations moving securely.
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