• Tracking of drivers and vehicles can be helpful in measuring both workflow and productivity.
• If a vehicle is carrier owned, it is generally acceptable to monitor it continuously, and, if the tracking device is mounted to the vehicle, the carrier might not even need to get the driver’s consent.
• To get driver buy-in on tracking, the carrier should demonstrate the technology, share the benefits of tracking, and set clear expectations by developing and distributing a vehicle tracking policy.

Tracking the location of drivers is helpful in measuring workflow and productivity. It is also easier than ever, thanks to electronic logging devices (ELDs) and other technologies with built-in geofencing and GPS tools.

GPS data can be used to measure productivity and manage risk in numerous ways:

• Verify the driver took the most effective route, did not make any unplanned stops, and is productive while on-site. GPS data can be used to compare the actual length of time at a location/stop compared to the expected time. By identifying delays immediately, the carrier can investigate the causes and determine corrective actions, including driver detention pay for lost productivity at a shipper, or, if at a work location, what caused the job to take longer than expected.
• Verify that the routes used are rated for the truck’s weight and that the driver didn’t speed on the way to Point B. Avoid fines and tickets by reviewing trip history captured by the GPS. Whether the GPS is built into an ELD, a telematics solution, or working independently as a freestanding device, it can help ensure safety.
• Verify vehicle location. From insurance to customer satisfaction, a carrier needs the ability to say definitely, “I know where every vehicle is at,” and be able to estimate arrival times, pick-ups, and deliveries.
• Immediate visibility of vehicle activity. From a leadership perspective, GPS data is powerful because it’s delivered in real-time, or near real-time, depending on the solution. What company can wait until the end of the week (a month or quarter) for soft productivity reports or fallout from customers? GPS data allows leadership to uncover root causes of poor service closer to the event, shoring up greater success for corrective action or accolades.

Many carriers are already practicing tracking on large trucks thanks to ELDs, but what about smaller commercial motor vehicles, a company-owned fleet of sedans, or even an employee-owned vehicle used for sales calls? Before going GPS crazy, take a moment to consider the implications.

Vehicle tracking considerations

It’s important to distinguish between tracking the location of vehicles versus drivers.

• If a vehicle is company property, it is generally acceptable to monitor it continuously, no matter what size or type of vehicle. And, if the tracking device is mounted to the vehicle, the carrier might not even need to get the driver’s consent. Consider doing so anyway as a best practice to build trust with drivers.
• If the tracking device is not vehicle-mounted, such as a phone app that might track the driver even outside the vehicle, things get a little messier. Make sure drivers are fully trained on how and when to use it, what data will be captured, and how that data will be used. And, again, be sure to get written consent before implementing such a program.
• Tracking a vehicle that is not company owned brings up additional concerns. First, in many states, it’s illegal to track a privately owned vehicle without explicit consent from the owner. In addition, monitoring a private vehicle might infringe on the drivers’ privacy when off duty. So, before requiring a salesperson to mount a tracker on the family van, be sure state laws have been investigated thoroughly and that employees’ rights are not being violated.

Other options might be risky

As previously mentioned, many apps and tools exist to track employee location while on duty. These apps might seem like a clever alternative to expensive vehicle-mounted GPS options, but they might also cause more headaches than anticipated.

Before going this route, consider that these apps will probably capture employee information when outside the vehicle, such as on breaks. This type of tracking is likely to make drivers uncomfortable and give the impression that the carrier doesn’t trust them. In addition, if a driver forgets to disable it when off duty, the carrier might also end up collecting far more private information than you bargained for.

3 tips on getting driver buy-in

Try these techniques to help drivers get comfortable with the idea:

• Demonstrate the technology — Before drivers head out on a GPS-tracked run for the first time, demonstrate how the technology works and how it can help throughout the day. Then get written consent as a best practice.
• Share the benefits of tracking — GPS data can protect drivers in an emergency or if falsely accused of bad behavior like late deliveries or reckless driving.
• Set clear expectations — Develop and distribute a policy so that drivers know exactly how the GPS data will be used, where it will be stored, and when it will be deleted. In addition, if there will be consequences or rewards based on the data, spell out exactly why, when, and how this will occur.