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Prevent Theft in Construction Projects with Vehicle GPS Tracking

PUBLISHED

July 19, 2021

READING TIME

Key Takeaways:

Track vehicles and heavy equipment in project areas using geofencing to detect usage outside of working hours
Monitor fuel sensors and mechanical feature activity to prevent fuel theft and the misuse of heavy equipment
Combine a Driver ID Tag and an immobiliser to ensure that only authorised operators can operate the vehicle

Managing a construction project without the support of the right technology can pose a significant challenge to business continuity. Construction sites—especially those large enough to be difficult to monitor—are frequent targets for theft, ranging from tools, timber, and steel to heavy machinery. GPS tracking technology, comprising both hardware and software, helps minimise the risk of theft on construction sites and protects your business from undetected profit leakage.

1. Vehicle Tracking

Ensure your heavy equipment vehicles are operated during the correct hours by installing a GPS tracker and activating vehicle misuse alerts. Monitor all vehicles through fleet management software and also create a project geofence so you are notified when a vehicle leaves the project area.

2. Asset Tracking

Unlike vehicle trackers, asset trackers are designed with a very long battery life to track non-powered, open assets. An asset tracker allows you to view your non-powered assets in real-time on a map (within fleet management software). You can also create an geofence to help you monitor asset movements within defined boundaries.

3. Tracking of Vehicle Mechanical Features

Heavy equipment vehicles have specialised features such as concrete mixers, cranes, and bulldozer blades, which are used for specific operational functions. By installing tracking sensors (such as mixer sensors and power take-off sensors) on these features, you can monitor usage outside of instructions. For example, mixer sensors allow you to track the time, duration, and location of cement loading and unloading. Similarly, power take-off sensors (PTO) can also provide information on the time, duration, and location of mechanical feature activation and deactivation.

4. Fuel Activity Tracking

Fuel theft from vehicle tanks can be monitored by installing fuel sensors. You will be notified when there is a sudden drop in fuel volume by activating fuel loss alerts. You can also detect fuel fraud through Fuel Filling Reports and Fuel Efficiency Reports, which are automatically available in the fleet management software. This allows you to see the actual fuel volume filled and identify which vehicles are the least fuel-efficient.

5. Driver Tracking and Starter Disabler

To prevent your heavy equipment vehicles from being used by unauthorised drivers, you need to install a Driver Identification Tag (DID) combined with a starter immobilisation system. To operate the vehicle, the driver must tap the tag on the reader before starting the engine. If this is not done, the starter cannot be engaged even with the vehicle key. In addition, you can remotely disable the starter (via a mobile application or website) if theft or unauthorised vehicle use is detected.

How can you have all of this? Simply send us a message here so we can provide a Cartrack solution tailored to your construction fleet management needs. The Cartrack fleet management system offers more than just vehicle GPS tracking, such as geofence, alerts, and more than 100 types of automated reports. For enhanced visibility and security, you can also add asset trackers, PTO sensors, fuel sensors, as well as a driver ID tag and an immobiliser. Contact us now and get a FREE DEMO to learn more about the Cartrack fleet management system!