Vehicle Tracking Terms You Need to Know

The device by which the acceleration or deceleration of a moving vehicle is measured.

Connect & Track is the name of the Quartix self-install tracking device that connects to the vehicle’s battery via two wires. It can be moved between vehicles with ease, as it is not hardwired.  Not to be confused with our Plug & Track option.

A way of assigning telematics data to a specific driver by use of a key fob affixed to a reader in the dashboard and connected to the tracking unit. With Driver ID, each driver is assigned a unique key fob which, when placed on the reader, registers the driver in that vehicle. The unit will then record all trip-specific data.

The term ‘Eco-driving’ refers to energy-efficient driving techniques that reduce fuel consumption and maximize fuel efficiency, like reducing idling.

Geofencing is the term used to describe setting up virtual perimeters around a specific geographic area. These areas are called geofencing zones. Quartix Geofencing lets you establish rules for each zone, and provides real-time alerts when vehicles enter or exit the zone.  This can be used to establish mandatory or prohibited zones.

The period when a vehicle’s engine is running, but it’s not in motion. Stopping at a red light is an example of idling.

The Quartix IFTA Calculator is a means of establishing taxable gallons for use in filing IFTA taxes. The tracking device records miles travelled in each IFTA jurisdiction. When overall gallons purchase for the vehicle in the relevant time period are inputted, the calculator establishes how many of them are taxable.

Installation is the process of setting up a tracking unit in a vehicle. For a hard-wired unit, this can take 30 to 45 minutes; for Plug & Track and Connect & Track, a matter of minutes.

An OBD is a vehicle’s self-diagnostic port, typically located under the driver’s side dashboard.

Plug & Track is the name of our self-install tracking device that plugs into the vehicle’s OBD port and can be transferred between vehicles with ease.  Not to be confused with Connect & Track.

Quartix has various methods to suspend location and speed monitoring when vehicles are in personal use. Our Privacy Mode option can include periods when miles are logged without any location information or times when no monitoring is enabled at all.

Any location where a vehicle makes a stop and start.  Sites that are visited regularly can be set up as custom location on the Quartix system and will show up in reports as that chosen name, rather than an address.

An integrated circuit that stores the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number and its unique key, which are used to identify and authenticate subscribers on mobile devices. Tracking units contain one to receive and transmit GPS data.

When a vehicle is stationary with its ignition on for a period of time, for example, in traffic or while loading/unloading.

Refers to any device which merges telecommunications and data acquisition. Telematics includes anything from GPS systems to navigation systems.

A communications method where data is collected at remote or inaccessible points and transmitted to receiving equipment.

The tracking device is the physical device that is installed into a vehicle and connects to either the power source, ignition or OBD port. Quartix units contain a SIM card and GPRS modem for transmitting data to our databases, so the vehicle information is available typically within a few minutes.

A trip is measured from when the vehicle ignition is turned on (Departure) and when it’s turned off (Arrival). Should the unit detect the vehicle is stationary for a period of time then a break in the trip will be shown as “Stopped with ignition on” in the logs and reports.