Be it for business or personal reasons vehicle tracking has become an essential aspect for any vehicle owner in Kenya.
By having a vehicle tracking system in place one is able to monitor the real-time location of their vehicle, speed, direction, etc.
In this article, we’ll seek to understand how vehicle tracking in Kenya works and the technology behind it.
What Is Vehicle Tracking and How Does It Work In Kenya?
Vehicle tracking is a term commonly used to refer to a system used to monitor the location, usage, and status of a vehicle.
To be able to understand how the system works let’s look at the 3 main components that make up the vehicle tracking ecosystem.
1. GPS (Global Positioning System)
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A vehicle tracking system works on the GPS platform. The platform was developed and is operated by the united states government.
The GPS system is made up of 24 to 31 solar-powered satellites that are located at an altitude of approximately 20,200 km in medium Earth’s orbit, orbiting the Earth twice a day at a speed of 14,000 km/hour.
These satellites send signals that are received by GPS receivers on the ground.
A GPS receiver uses these signals to calculate its precise location, speed, and time from at least four of the GPS satellites.
2. GPS Receivers
There are 2 types of GPS receivers
- A commercial GPS receiver. For this type of GPS receiver once it receives the GPS signals and triangulates its location it will store this information in itself. It’s equipped with a storage device such as a memory card or a hard disk drive. The storage device is then retrieved and logged into a computer for onward processing and interpretation.
- An active GPS receiver also known as a 2-way tracking device. This type of GPS receiver does not store its data, it’s capable of transmitting the data to a central server or database system.
Active GPS receivers are what are commonly used in Kenya for vehicle tracking.
These devices are able to transmit data through the internet via the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) as they are equipped with a Simcard slot.
A normal Safaricom or Airtel Simcard is used for this function.
3. Central Server / Database System
A central server hosts a tracking platform commonly known in Kenya as a Tracking App.
End users can then download the App on their phone and access the data sent by the Active GPS receiver. Which at this point has been simplified and usually displayed on a Map.
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The introduction of a database system gives the tracking device extra functionalities. For example, the data can be stored, and therefore one can be able to see past data such as the vehicle route history, where the vehicle stopped, and for how long.
One can also create a Geo-fence and get alerted every time a vehicle leaves or enters a certain region etc.
Real-time data is also available as these devices collect and send data to the server in real-time. An ideal tracking system should be able to achieve a one-point-per-second tracking technique that is, a tracking device should be able to receive, process, and transmit data every second.
However, not many tracking companies have been able to achieve these. The next best alternative that many have been able to achieve is a one point per ten seconds tracking technique meaning a tracking device is able to receive, process, and transmit data every ten seconds.
The following are some of the basic functions that a 2-way tracking device should possess:
- Realtime Tracking
- Route playback
- Geo-fencing
- Instant Alerts Such as Engine on / Off Alerts
These are just basic functionalities, advanced devices can have extra functionalities such as:
- Monitoring the driver’s behavior such as harsh braking, sharp cornering, Excessive engine idling, etc.
- Remote Engine cut off
- Alert when a door is open
- Alert in case of an oil leak
Commonly Asked Questions In Regards To How Vehicle Tracking In Kenya Works
How can you tell if someone is tracking your car?
It’s hard to tell if someone is tracking your car without having to strip parts of the car looking for the tracking device. However, regulations exist on how car tracking devices should be used. It is illegal in Kenya to track another person’s car without their knowledge.
What are the factors driving the vehicle tracking systems market?
There are 2 main factors driving the vehicle tracking systems market. The 1st one is security, vehicle owners want to secure their vehicles against theft. The 2nd factor is management, business owners are able to manage the use of their vehicles with the help of a vehicle tracking system.
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