Introduction

Knowing where each vehicle is at any given time can assist with fleet scheduling, route optimization, and fuel consumption management. TomTom helps build fleet management solutions by providing location and routing information to developers through easy-to-use APIs.

Real-time fleet tracking allows users to know where a vehicle is at any given point in time, past or present. Combined with other data, such as routing and traffic information, real-time fleet tracking provides valuable insight into estimated time of arrival (ETA), vehicle range, and more.

Knowing where each vehicle is at any given time can assist with fleet scheduling, route optimization, and fuel consumption management. It can also ensure that just-in-time-delivery and service-level agreements are met. In short, vehicle tracking provides logistics professionals with the information they need to make practical real-time decisions.

What are the components of fleet tracking?

When we look at fleet management, we are focused on optimizing vehicle use for a specific purpose. This purpose might include:

• Freight or long-haul delivery between factories and distribution centers
• Food pickup and delivery while meals are still hot
• Postal or regional delivery services
• On-demand delivery with independently contracted drivers

Regardless of the use case, fleet tracking capabilities play a fundamental role in maximizing efficiency, safety, and cost control.

Fleet GPS tracking

Fleet GPS tracking is the core of any fleet tracking system. It uses GPS technology to monitor:

• Vehicle location
• Travel direction
• Speed

While primarily used to track vehicles, GPS tracking can also monitor drivers and other assets such as packages.

Telematics

Telematics software builds on GPS tracking by collecting additional data such as:

• Fuel consumption
• Engine and system status
• Driving behavior

This data is collected and transmitted in real time, enabling informed and timely decision-making.

Fleet vehicle tracking and visualization

Fleet vehicle tracking consolidates data from all vehicles into a single centralized view. This allows fleet managers to:

• Visualize the entire fleet on a map
• Zoom in and out to assess specific areas
• Monitor speed, movement, and ETAs
• Anticipate congestion at pickup or delivery locations

This holistic view enables better coordination and proactive planning.

On-board diagnostics (OBD2) fleet tracking

OBD2 tracking provides insight into vehicle health and driver behavior by monitoring:

• Fuel consumption
• Vehicle system status
• Maintenance indicators
• Driving patterns (braking, acceleration, idling)

When combined with location and routing data, OBD2 tracking helps answer key operational questions:

• Is the vehicle obeying speed limits and mandated breaks?
• Is it deviating from the planned route?
• When and where should maintenance occur?

By monitoring these factors across the entire fleet, managers can avoid costly mistakes and downtime.

Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) tracking

HGV tracking focuses on trucks and lorries, where fuel costs represent a significant portion of operating expenses.

Key benefits include:

• Monitoring fuel usage
• Optimizing driver behavior (speed, braking, acceleration)
• Reducing fuel waste
• Managing tax and fine implications where applicable

Even small improvements in driving behavior can result in substantial cost savings.

Vehicle tracking software

Vehicle tracking software transforms raw location and vehicle data into actionable insights. Different solutions focus on different operational questions, but most share the ability to collect, analyze, and visualize fleet data.

Common vehicle tracking features

Real-time vehicle location

Provides up-to-date information on:

• Speed
• Direction of travel
• Current location

Fleet managers can see how vehicles relate to one another and to their surroundings, helping them react to traffic incidents and coordinate responses.

Geocoding and routing

Geocoding translates addresses into map coordinates, while routing determines the optimal path between locations. Together, they:

• Optimize pickup and delivery times
• Improve efficiency across individual vehicles and entire fleets

Package delivery confirmation

Tracking confirms that a vehicle reached its destination and records:

• Arrival time
• Stop duration

Combined with photos or signatures, this provides proof of delivery.

Driver behavior monitoring

Tracks behaviors such as:

• Speeding
• Frequent lane changes
• Route deviations

This data helps:

• Reduce accident risk
• Lower insurance premiums
• Discourage inefficient or unsafe driving

Pickup and drop-off pattern detection

Analyzes:

• Time spent loading or unloading
• Time spent idling
• Location type (retail, warehouse, residential)

These insights contribute to accurate cost and performance analysis.

Stolen vehicle recovery

Real-time tracking enables rapid recovery by sharing vehicle location, speed, and direction with law enforcement. This is critical for protecting both vehicles and cargo.

Location-based alerts and geofencing

Geofences are virtual boundaries defined by distance or travel time. Alerts can trigger when a vehicle enters or exits a geofenced area, enabling:

• Warehouse preparation before arrival
• Reduced unloading time
• Improved delivery coordination

Building vehicle tracking systems with TomTom

Fleet tracking relies on more than GPS alone. It requires accurate maps, geocoding, routing, and real-time traffic data. TomTom collects and maintains this information and provides it through APIs.

Routing

TomTom Routing APIs use real-time and historical traffic data to:

• Optimize routes
• Avoid tolls or restricted roads
• Support trucks and electric vehicles (EVs)
• Account for range, charging needs, and charging locations

Geocoding and reverse geocoding

TomTom Search APIs translate between:

• Human-readable addresses
• Geographic coordinates

This enables routing, navigation, and map display while keeping interfaces user-friendly for customers and drivers.

Geofencing and notifications

TomTom Geofencing allows developers to:

• Define virtual boundaries around vehicles or locations
• Trigger alerts based on distance, time, or range

Use cases include delivery preparation alerts and notifications for route or service-area deviations.

Location history

TomTom Location History stores vehicle positions over time, enabling:

• Fleet activity analysis
• Better vehicle staging
• Improved route planning
• Reduced deadheading

Next steps

TomTom provides real-time tracking and mapping APIs for web, iOS, and Android, enabling developers to build powerful fleet management solutions.

To learn more:

• Visit TomTom Fleet Management and Logistics
• Explore the TomTom Developer Portal
• Try the asset and vehicle tracking demo
• Contact TomTom for inquiries

These tools help developers bring together routing, tracking, geofencing, and analytics into a single, efficient fleet management system.