Taxi GPS tracking systems – and GPRS tracking systems, how do they work?

Indeed, taxi GPRS taxi tracking systems rely exclusively on mobile telephony networks. GPRS is a packet switched data transfer standard (the exact meaning of GPRS being General Packet Radio Service) which uses the GSM network. GPRS tracking is done using mobile telephone networks (GSM) and a server updated in near-real time with the data transmitted by the vehicle beacon, which can be either a simple mobile phone or a dedicated device. This mobile network technology is now quite dated and has since been replaced by 3G and 4G, also for geolocation appliances.

Taxi GPS tracking systems use GPS trackers which connect to the network of satellites of the same name (Global Positioning System) to locate the vehicle in which they are installed. Mobile telephony networks are used, but only to transmit this data to supervisors.

Regardless of the technology used, taxi tracking systems make it possible to optimise rides by offering the following features:

• Schedules and route optimisation,
• Taxi fleet monitoring and the selection of the nearest vehicle to the customer,
• Detection of course changes or delays and alternative route proposals,
• Calculation of wait time and real-time customer information,
• Liaison with a dispatch centre and with other vehicles, reception and sending of assignment orders,
• Statistical monitoring: loading time, travel time...

You may also check the article in our guide dedicated to vehicle tracking systems for passenger transport.