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Package and Container Tracking
| Applications | |
|---|---|
| Title | Package and Container Tracking |
| Author(s) | GMV. |
| Level | Medium |
| Year of Publication | 2011 |
With GNSS asset tracking applications, companies can improve efficiency and control the distribution chain of their products and shipping's. These systems help to identify the location of cargo or containers equipped with GNSS receivers whilst in transit by road, rail or ships.
Usually vehicle management applications encompasses package and container tracking applications, allowing an integrated view of both cargo and vehicles.
Application Architecture
Package and Container Tracking, is closely connected with vehicles tracking. A system supporting vehicles fleet tracking can be extended to support the tracking of assets by incorporating low cost devices in the packages or containers.
The combination of GNSS technology with GSM can provide continuous real-time tracking and tracing information continually during the journey.
Application Characterization
The fleet management tracking is used for tracking of cargo, in tracks, ships or trains using the benefits for cargo management. Shipments can be located if stolen and customer service is enhanced with the ability for the shipper to accurately report delivery time.
Package and Container Tracking applications are very important for insurance companies, which can grant a tool to obtain proper data about the trail of a certain asset. The real time movements can be obtain, which allow the operators to take actions if an anomaly is detected.
Many trucks have different types of trailers, the truck's load carrying unit, (e.g., flat bed, refrigerated, curtain, box container). These units can be unfastened from the vehicle, which imply that each unit shall be monitored separately.
Shipping customers or logistic companies can analyze data to choose the most efficient shipper. Package and Container Tracking applications usually offer the following capabilities:
- Continuous assessing of real-time tracking and tracing information,
- Control of shipment in a specified route, according to the plan and authorized path,
- Incident prevention, due to the monitoring of status parameters,
- Alarm rising in case of anomaly condition detection,
- Recording and logging for regular roundup of reported incidents,
- Informing the emergency response forces for the emergency management arrangements,
- Safeguarding of expensive stolen cargo,
Tracking of Dangerous Goods
The transportation of dangerous industrial waste from its originating source to the site where it will be treated is increasing every year. Trucks carrying the waste-filled containers typically travel through several European countries for two to three days. For security reasons, and to ensure that all the waste arrives where it is intended to, GNSS is being used to track industrial waste containers throughout its journey.[1]
The safe transport of nuclear material is regulated by the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) rules. In Europe, the transport of radioactive material is also regulated by the laws regulating the transportation of dangerous goods. Such regulations classify the dangerous material such as nuclear waste and material, and establish rules for the relevant safe and controlled transportation[2].
None of these regulations specifically oblige the use of positioning technology, although the use of GNSS provide enhanced and guaranteed positioning allowing to support law enforcement and to cope with security needs.
Application Examples
In R&D field, the GSA MENTORE project is an example of how EGNOS and GALILEO will support track and trace of sensitive assets.[2]
Notes
References
- ^ ESA Portal, Satellite helps make transportation of dangerous waste safer
- ^ a b GNSS Tracking site, MENTORE project