Why, When, and How Does Trux Use GPS Tracking

The ability to track loads and deliveries as they make their way from the plant/quarry to the job site/destination is a key benefit for our contractor and material producer customers. But it’s actually a key benefit for haulers too! Here are some common questions and answers about GPS tracking in Trux Drive.

Why does Trux Drive use GPS tracking? Hauler Benefits

Trux relies on tracking to bring the work to you. By knowing your truck's location, we are able to:

• help you navigate to job start/end locations with your favorite navigation app
• alert the job site or plant when you are nearby or have arrived and are ready to haul
• let the job site know your ETA so that they can clear the area and be ready to receive your delivery (and not waste your time making you wait)
• verify for how long you have been at plant/job site. This is can help you calculate and verify standby/wait times on jobs where you are paid for this extra time
• let the plant know when you are nearby and available to take more loads (and make more money!)
• verify load delivery time and location in case of a dispute - this protects you!

When am I “being tracked?”

The GPS tracking through Trux Drive is only activated from the time you punch-in until the time you punch-out or at the conclusion of the last load of your last assignment. Your truck is not tracked when you’re not actively working and are “off the clock.”

How does Trux Drive track location?

The app makes use of your smartphone’s Location-Based Services (LBS) for real-time geographic data. Some apps use LBS to allow users to check in at restaurants, coffee shops, stores, and other places or events. Many popular apps make use of LBS, including ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft, navigation/mapping apps like Google Maps and Waze, and weather apps.

What’s required to get accurate location data?

Tracking accuracy is dependent on several things:

• You must be logged into Trux Drive on your mobile device. This does not mean you have to have the app up and showing on the screen at all times. The app can be “minimized” or in the background with other apps running in the foreground (e.g., allowing you to navigate with a GPS app or place/accept a phone call, etc.).
• You must have punched in to your job
• You must have Location-Based Services enabled (read more about enabling LBS here).
• You should not have Power Saving Mode (Android) or Low Battery Mode (iOS) enabled. Or at  least add Trux Drive to the Do Not Sleep apps (read more about adding Trux Drive to this list here.)

If any of these conditions are not met, you will not be able to see and accept available jobs or be able to punch-in to your jobs.