The vehicle tracking system has brought a complete change to the fleet management process by transforming its way of business connectivity from simple to advanced. 

This type of technology system provides immediate information about the position of a vehicle, its speed, and other key data, which are all essential tools in making a fleet manager’s work more efficient, reducing maintenance costs, and enhancing safety. 

Applied to vehicles divided into active and passive systems their characteristics are quite different with some advantages and disadvantages. Here now let us examine the functions and usage of these systems, so that you can make the right choice regarding which fleet system to adopt.

Active Vehicle Tracking System 

The active vehicle tracking systems, also known as real-time operating systems, enable the fleet operators to get the info about the location and condition of vehicles in the fleet in real-time mode. 

These systems utilize GPS technology to track vehicles and an interface that transmits the data to the central server, allowing fleet managers to access it through a web-based interface or mobile apps.

To activate a tracking system in the car, you must install the gadget by inserting it into a port for it to function properly.

Following this, you can sign up for services that will allow you to receive notifications on your laptop or phone.

The following are some benefits and drawbacks of active car tracking systems:

Pros 

1. Real-time Monitoring: Among respondents, active tracking systems are known to be an effective way of tracking vehicles in real-time is that they can gather information on spots in real-time. This enables the fleet to promptly react to anomalies like routing deviation, unauthorized stops, and emergencies.

2. Improved Efficiency: Real-time tracking systems will contribute to operational efficiency by providing data analysis on driving habits, route management, and depot operations. As a result, the cost of fuel will be reduced, time focused on inquiries and delivering services will be saved, and also, productivity will be boosted in the long run.

3. Enhanced Security: Tracking in real-time, fleet managers can easily spot stolen or lost vehicles in just a short period. This helps to significantly reduce the chances of theft and up the chances of recovery.

4. Comprehensive Reporting: Integrated systems incorporating vehicle-tracking provide route-specific reports on driving conditions and parameters like mileage, speed, and free time. Fleet managers can use these reports to gather evidence for upgrading areas of application and making sound decisions about fleet operations.

Cons 

1. Cost: The strict component of active tracking systems which encompass tasks such as hardware installations and ongoing charges are generally more costly than the passive systems. Albeit, the applicable element in real-time tracking usually outweighs the costs for the majority of businesses.

2. Complexity: More complex tracking systems require proper monitoring in comparison to the passive systems which can be of a simpler installation and maintenance. There may be a need to run some training programs for fleet managers and drivers to learn how to make good use of the system.

3. Power Consumption: Real-time tracking is accompanied by continuous communication that demands data exchange between the vehicle and central server,  so the battery loses its charge more quickly.

Passive Vehicle Tracking System 

The passive vehicle tracking system which has a name suiting its characteristics, does not allow live tracking of vehicles. Unlike other systems, you can save your data on the local device such as an SD card or internal memory so that it may be retrieved and examined at a later time. 

Fleet owners must pay a one-time cost to purchase passive vehicle tracking systems and install them. These devices are highly economical and a popular option for fleets. With every purchase, you get the database, hardware, and software. It is important to remember that real-time tracking is not provided by passive tracking devices. 

Thus, this equipment would not be very helpful if you wish to see occurrences on roadways in real time. In order to address this problem, extra models are typically installed, which results in increased expenses. Real-time vehicle tracking is made possible by the add-on tools, which is useful in emergency situations like traffic accidents, roadblocks, or theft.

Here are some pros and cons of passive vehicle tracking systems:

Pros

1. Cost-Effective: The great thing about passive tracking systems is that they usually are cheaper than active tracking systems, so they can be considered for small companies or those who need low-cost tracking.

2. Simplified Implementation: The setup process is relatively straightforward compared to active systems that commonly suffer from connectivity issues with central servers when they are not near.

3. Data Privacy: However, data is stored locally and this can result in fewer worries concerning the privacy of people with passive tracking systems than two-way systems from where the data is transmitted over the Internet.

Cons

1. Delayed Data: On the downside, built-in tracking systems cannot provide real-time data. Data management plays a crucial part in the understanding of fleet performance. It can be tiresome and time-consuming for fleet managers to review and analyze the data manually leading to delays in decision-making and issue resolution.

2. Limited Features: Active systems contains more features and capabilities such as, real-time alerts, live maps, and driver behavior monitoring, that may not be available in passive systems. 

3. Less Security: As the data is stored on the device, the data could be lost, tampered with, or hacked by the attackers if the device is physically damaged or stolen

FAQs: Active Vs Passive Vehicle Tracking System: Pros and Cons

What are the environmental concerns when it comes for active or passive tracking systems?

Active tracking systems may consume more power, which could have a slight impact on the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Although sure that the environmental consequences are few of a kind, we can think that it is small.

How do active and passive tracking systems handle data storage and retention policies?

Active tracking systems often run through centralized remote servers used exclusively by the service provider and subject to their data retention regulations. While, passive systems store data locally, so their retention policies are determined by how you manage the data on the device.

Out of the two technologies, which can be tampered or hacked more easily? 

Both types of tracking systems have security risks, but passive systems may be more vulnerable to physical tampering since the data is stored locally.

Conclusion 

When choosing between active and passive vehicle tracking systems, it’s important to take into account your individual business requirements, financial constraints, and technological resources. Businesses that require continuous 24/7 data monitoring and advanced functionalities often prefer an active live tracker over other options.

Conversely, if you have a smaller number of vehicles or do not necessitate real-time monitoring, a passive system could be a more economical choice. Regardless of the performance system that you get to choose from, by installing vehicle tracking system, you can do away with the weaknesses and at the same time, enhance the strong sides of your fleet operation.