GPS Tracking Goes Dumpster Diving

Some industries are well-known for their use of GPS tracking to assist in the daily operations of their fleet vehicles. Construction vehicles, buses, taxis, police vehicles, long-distance truckers and many others use the technology to make sure each vehicle is where it’s supposed to be and to monitor their activities throughout the day. But one industry that may not be considered very often is the refuse industry. That’s right–garbage trucks.

CC Image courtesy of Ruin Raider via Flickr

Most people don’t think about garbage trucks very often, but they perform an important function: keeping our towns, neighborhoods, and homes free of refuse. And thanks to a new type of scale designed by Air-Weigh, keeping accurate records in the refuse industry just got a whole lot easier.

What Does GPS Tracking Have to Do With Garbage Collection?

One of the most important functions performed by garbage collection trucks is keeping tabs on the dumpsters that are distributed around town. That means lifting, weighing, emptying, and replacing every dumpster on a regular basis, both the permanent and the temporary ones. Each of those dumpsters has a weight limit which, if exceeded, will result in extra charges. So who keeps track of all those bins and the weight of each one? The drivers do, and until recently, they had to do it manually using custom equipment.

Enter the BinMaxx XL onboard scale. Designed to take the work out of manually recording every dumpster’s location and weight, the Bin Maxx XL uses a GPS tracking device to pinpoint and record the location of each lift. Automating the process reduces the potential for error and helps ensure that data gets recorded accurately.

The BinMaxx XL allows operators to:

• Accurately record the location, time, and weight of each dumpster lift


• Download a daily report of the lift information for each truck


• Use Bluetooth receivers to quickly retrieve the information from each truck from a central location


• Store information in an easy-to-use format

It may not be the most glamorous innovation for GPS tracking, but it certainly makes a significant difference to the accuracy and ease of reporting for fleet managers in the refuse industry.

What Else Can Fleet Managers Do With GPS Tracking?

GPS tracking is gaining traction with regard to fleet vehicle management across many industries. Some of the most popular uses include:

Monitoring routes and stops: Both city buses and school buses often use GPStracking to monitor the location of each individual bus as it drives its route. This information can let people know if the bus is running on schedule or will be a few minutes late (which is great to know especially during inclement weather).

Protecting against theft: Construction vehicles and other expensiveequipment can be fitted with GPS tracking devices to ensure that the vehicle can be recovered in the event of a theft. Police departments also use the technology to monitor “bait cars” if they suspect a car theft ring is operating in the are

Reducing fuel usage: One of the greatest perks of GPS tracking for fleetvehicles is that it can help reduce the amount of fuel used by helping drivers choose shorter routes and practice more fuel-efficient driving habits. Many devices can monitor idle times and stops as well as location, helping managers encourage drivers to turn off the engine or plan deliveries using a more direct route.

Handling vehicle maintenance and break-downs: GPS tracking can help managers monitor vehicle usage and plan for regular maintenance. If a breakdown occurs, the tracking device can provide the information needed to get it taken care of quickly and efficiently.

Most companies that purchase GPS tracking devices for their fleet vehicles do so because of the associated savings. Teaching employees to practice better driving habits and plan their routes more efficiently can save thousands of dollars every year.

Taking the Guesswork Out of Record-Keeping

The BinMaxx XL will allow fleet managers in the refuse industry to keep better records with much less margin for error. When records must be kept manually, there is always the possibility of someone forgetting to write down a number, going back and making guesses rather than remembering exact numbers, and transcribing numbers incorrectly. The GPS tracking device included in the BinMaxx XL will make sure each dumpster lift location gets recorded and that the pertinent information for that lift is accurate. This information can then be easily transferred to an office PC and stored for later reference.

GPS tracking devices have revolutionized the prospect of managing a fleet of vehicles. Rather than guesses and estimates, GPS tracking gives hard data to managers, allowing them to create better company policies and to enforce those policies more effectively. Whether the fleet consists of high-

visibility police cars or less-visible refuse collection vehicles, GPS tracking can help managers save money, enforce policy, train new drivers, and handle break-downs and thefts more efficiently.

GPS Tracking Goes Dumpster Diving