Accuracy and Validation of Geotab GPS Fleet Tracking Devices for Medium Duty Trucks
2022-01-0160
03/29/2022
- Event
- Content
- Fleet management companies have implemented tracking devices in their vehicles that employ Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in near real time for optimizing fuel consumption, determining smart routes, and for monitoring driving behavior. For this purpose, Geotab Inc. has developed the OBD-II connected Geotab GO device. These devices are capable of recording vehicle position and speed data using GPS. The present study seeks to validate and compare Geotab recorded data to reliable reference data collected from a VBOX 3i RTK DGPS for vehicle position and speed for medium duty trucks. Additional data logging characteristics such as LTE connectivity, Geotab’s proprietary curve logging algorithm, near-real-time vehicle data, speed interpolation, and data recording threshold were analyzed. This study considered two Geotab models, the GO8 and GO9. Both devices were connected in parallel using two sets of two-way splitters connected to the test vehicle’s OBD-II port and fixed to the vehicle’s structure. The GO8, GO9, and VBOX 3i RTK logged data simultaneously and independently. The present study was performed to provide insight for accident reconstructionists investigating crashes involving vehicles equipped with Geotab GO devices. Several different test scenarios were conducted with a medium duty truck to validate the recorded data. The intent of these scenarios was to simulate emergency type situations that would not normally be experienced through everyday driving. Scenario 1 consisted of accelerating the vehicle to a given speed and then applying the brakes quickly and with as much pressure as physically possible. Scenario 2 consisted of accelerating the vehicle to a given speed and driving over a speed bump. Scenario 3 consisted of accelerating the vehicle by pressing the accelerator pedal to 100%. Scenario 4 consisted of accelerating the vehicle to a given speed and performing a turn at a relatively high angular velocity. The results for all scenarios were analyzed, with average positional error and average speed error calculated. The tests conceived and performed were intended to breach the threshold for data recording to then determine what said threshold is. Knowing what the threshold for data recording is for these types of scenarios will provide accident reconstructionists with justification for acceleration rates experienced by vehicles involved in accidents that are using Geotab devices.
- Citation
- Morales, R., "Accuracy and Validation of Geotab GPS Fleet Tracking Devices for Medium Duty Trucks," SAE Technical Paper 2022-01-0160, 2022, .