Applications of GPS Tracking Technology
In recent years, Global Positioning tracking has become embedded in a growing number of devices ranging from cellular phones to commercial tracking beacons, similar to RFID chips. Tracking technologies both provide opportunities for efficiency gains, as well as presenting privacy concerns that must be addressed through public policy.
One common form of GPS tracking is a memory logger which stores location data that may be retrieved for later analysis. Typical uses of these data logs range from performance measurement in competitive sports to geo-targeting in devices ranging from cameras to automobiles. For competitive athletes, GPS logs can provide a way of analysing their performance in detail to find sources of improvements and to track changes over time. With GPS data logs, athletes can compare their times against a simulate benchmark of their goals to help them reach target times. For security projects, GPS logs are capable of tracking vehicle positions, which has created growing privacy concerns as well as a wide-range of legitimate commercial uses ranging from car sharing, automobile rentals, vehicle security and anti-theft devices. As with any technology, proper regulations are necessary to ensure responsible implementation.
Using the same tracking principles, push GPS technology is more advanced and provides real-time positioning information on a variety of devices. Many fleet companies, ranging from cabs to supply chain delivery, utilise GPS push receivers to track their fleets in real time. This technology can improve efficiencies in the supply chain, and help reduce shipping costs when fuel costs are rising. As international trade grows, global commercial tracking, whether seaborne or via trucking, has gained in importance. In the same manner, wildlife researchers and managers are able to tag animals for migration and behavioural patterns using the technology. Wildlife tracking has enabled biologist to greatly improve their understanding of migratory patterns, as well as the impact of climate changes upon animal behaviour. Software packages communicate with embedded GPS chips to plot the movement of animals over the seasons, whether domesticated or migratory. Real-time tracking technology has provided a vast source of data to improve research studies and augment our understanding of natural patterns.
A wider concern arises with the use of push devices by law enforcement, which creates more serious potential for privacy violations. Civil libertarians have raised concerns about the lack of transparency accorded to use of such devices. On the other hand, it is also possible for legitimate monitoring, ranging from parents tracking the location of their children to law enforcement maintaining the positions of probationary felons. Generally, laws require search warrants for the implementation of GPS tracking technology to gain information. Private organisations and citizens have increasingly raised concerns about wide-spread tracking capabilities, which has led to an international privacy movement. Institutions such as the United Nations have considered treaties involving a global agreement on privacy standards, although no standardized set of rules has been agreed to yet.