What is GPS Tracking & How Does it Work in Waste Management?

January 6, 2024
4 minute read

Imagine streamlining every collection route to perfection, dispatching fleets with laser precision, and cutting costs while caring for the planet. That's how GPS tracking works for the waste hauling industry.

This technology has revolutionized the way waste management operates, providing a sophisticated solution to monitor and optimize the collection and disposal of waste. 

With pinpoint accuracy, GPS technology empowers your waste management fleet. It transforms every vehicle, bin, and container into a meticulously coordinated symphony of efficient waste collection and management. Additionally, it gives you real-time data for planning your victory over wasted time and resources.

Keep reading to learn more about GPS tracking and how it works, revealing its core functions and transformative impact in the waste management industry.

What is GPS Tracking in the Waste Industry?

GPS tracking in the context of waste management involves utilizing GPS-enabled devices to track the exact location of assets or personnel. Embedded on garbage trucks, dumpsters, and street sweepers, these devices allow waste management companies to monitor their fleets and assets in real-time, ensuring operations run smoothly.

The leap to GPS tracking software marks a significant advancement for the industry. It enhances service quality by empowering fleet managers with the ability to oversee their vehicles at all times. In turn, it enables businesses to optimize routes and streamline operations for greater efficiency, cost savings, and environmental responsibility.

How Does GPS Tracking Work?

GPS trackers connect to a constellation of satellites circling the Earth, constantly capturing the tracker's precise coordinates. These devices employ a process known as trilateration, which requires signals from at least three satellites in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network to ascertain a pinpoint location.

You'll find it straightforward when you learn how to operate a GPS tracker. The tracker in your vehicle either:

  • Draws power from the onboard diagnostics (OBD-II) port
  • Can be plugged into a cigarette lighter or accessory socket
  • Operates on an internal battery

The locational data the tracker collects is then sent to a central software system, allowing you to consolidate and scrutinize this valuable information. With the locational information in hand, you can optimize operations and make informed decisions for your waste management business.

Should You Use GPS Tracking in Your Waste Hauling Business?

GPS tracking technologies and fleet tracking systems have many advantages, especially for waste hauling businesses. Let's look at some of the top reasons to track your assets with GPS:

Improved Time Management

With the proper GPS fleet management software at your fingertips, you hold the power to track the current location of your vehicles and their journey history. You can also track the duration of travel between specific points. Such granular insight invites a deeper analysis of driver efficiency along routes.

By harnessing this information, you transform your waste management GPS system into a robust tool for time management. This strategic oversight ensures your drivers remain concentrated on their tasks, effectively diminishing wasted time, labor, and fuel while they're out in the field.

That said, not all GPS tracking technologies allow such precise management. You need access to a GPS device complemented by fleet management software to achieve this level of control.

Accurate Route Planning

GPS asset and fleet tracking systems enable waste management companies to create highly accurate and efficient routes, resulting in numerous benefits. One key advantage is real-time data collection.

GPS tracking systems continuously monitor the location and movement of waste collection vehicles. This allows companies to access up-to-the-minute information on their fleet's whereabouts, proving to be invaluable for route optimization.

Advanced algorithms analyze this real-time data, considering factors such as traffic conditions, historical route data, and vehicle performance. These algorithms can generate optimized routes that minimize travel time, fuel consumption, and vehicle wear and tear. This optimization reduces your operational costs and lowers the fleet's environmental impact.

Accurate route planning also enables your waste company to provide more reliable and consistent waste collection services. Customers can rely on timely pickups, reducing complaints and enhancing overall satisfaction.

Furthermore, GPS tracking systems allow for dynamic route adjustments as conditions change. If a road is closed or traffic becomes congested, managers can reroute vehicles in real-time to avoid delays and ensure efficient waste collection.

Improved Fleet Management

As a waste hauler, selecting the best garbage trucks isn’t all that matters. Staying on top of maintenance schedules, driver behavior, and asset utilization is also essential for efficient operations. GPS tracking technology equips you with the tools necessary to cultivate a more proficient and profitable business landscape.

Through the implementation of GPS trackers, you can gain insights into:

  • Route adherence with geofencing alerts signaling when a vehicle deviates from its assigned path
  • Vehicle speed, aiding in the enforcement of safety standards
  • Unauthorized use of vehicles after-hours, thereby safeguarding company assets

Additionally, real-time monitoring of vehicle diagnostics allows you to schedule preventive maintenance before costly breakdowns occur. This extends the lifespan of vehicles, reducing replacement costs and improving overall fleet performance.

Better Customer Dispute Management

Using GPS tracking enhances transparency and accountability by providing accurate and real-time data about the location and activities of waste collection vehicles. In the event of a dispute over missed pickups or service delays, your company can access historical tracking information to verify the timing and location of service visits.

This data serves as concrete evidence to address customer concerns, resolve disputes, and provide accurate explanations. Additionally, GPS tracking enables companies to proactively communicate with customers, sending alerts or notifications about service delays or changes.

Such proactive communication helps manage customer expectations, build trust, and reduce the likelihood of disputes. Ultimately, GPS asset and fleet tracking systems enhance operational efficiency and improve customer dispute resolution and overall customer satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

Incorporating advanced GPS tracking into your waste management operations streamlines your fleet activities and fortifies customer relations. With GPS tracking technologies, meticulous route monitoring, preventive maintenance, and enhanced customer communication are at your fingertips. 

Looking for a GPS tracking technology that helps you safeguard assets, resolve disputes effectively, and establish transparency and trust?

At Basestation, we help you enjoy easier asset and fleet management with our cloud-based software. Our platform enhances GPS tracking for waste hauling businesses by streamlining data collection and giving you real-time insights into your fleet's performance, ensuring you're always a step ahead in scheduling, routing, and customer service.

 

WRITTEN BY
MAX BENAYON