Geofencing for Fleet Management
Geofencing creates virtual boundaries around physical locations, enabling automated alerts and actions when vehicles enter or exit.
Types of Geofences
Circular Geofences
- Simple radius around a point
- Best for: Customer sites, depots, fuel stations
Polygon Geofences
- Custom-shaped boundaries
- Best for: City zones, coverage areas, complex properties
Route Corridors
- Buffer zone along a route
- Best for: Detecting route deviations
Common Use Cases
1. Arrival/Departure Notifications
- Alert customers when vehicles are approaching
- Track job site arrivals for billing
- Monitor employee attendance
2. Unauthorized Use Detection
- Alert when vehicles operate outside approved areas
- After-hours movement notifications
- Theft prevention
3. Speed Zone Management
- Enforce slower speeds in residential areas
- School zone speed compliance
- Warehouse yard speed limits
4. Automatic Status Updates
- Mark deliveries complete on arrival
- Clock drivers in/out automatically
- Update customer portals in real-time
5. Compliance Tracking
- Ensure vehicles service required locations
- Track time spent at each site
- Generate proof of service reports
Best Practices
Sizing Geofences
- Too small: False negatives (missed entries)
- Too large: Premature triggers
- Rule of thumb: 50-100m radius for standard accuracy
Naming Conventions
Use clear, consistent names:
- CUSTOMER-ABC-Warehouse
- DEPOT-Main
- ZONE-NoGo-Industrial
Regular Review
Geofences need maintenance:
- Remove obsolete fences
- Update customer locations
- Adjust sizes based on performance
Implementation Tips
- Start with high-value locations
- Test thoroughly before enabling alerts
- Train dispatchers on alert handling
- Document the purpose of each geofence
Geofencing transforms raw location data into actionable business intelligence.