Fleet Management & Vehicle Tracking Glossary

Need quick clarity on fleet management and vehicle tracking jargon? Here’s your no-nonsense reference for everything from accelerometers to ULEZ—bookmark it and dive in below.

A

Accelerometer

Measures changes in a vehicle’s velocity, capturing details of harsh acceleration, sudden braking, and rapid cornering. This data helps the show reveal harsh acceleration or braking events for driver-style analysis.

Application Programming Interface (API)

Enables seamless communication between systems by allowing data and features to be shared. For example, an API can automatically send telematics data to fuel-card or insurance platforms, streamlining administrative tasks and reducing manual data entry.

Explore our use of APIs.

B

Backhaul Jobs

Refers to planning return trips with loaded cargo rather than travelling empty. This practice cuts down on wasted fuel and time, maximising overall efficiency and reducing operational costs. Learn more about backhaul jobs.

BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)

A vehicle powered solely by an electric motor that draws energy from onboard batteries. BEVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, and tracking them helps manage charging cycles, route planning based on range, and performance monitoring in real-time. Learn more about how Quartix serves BEVs with electric vehicle tracking.

Bobtailing

The practice of driving a truck without its trailer attached. This can affect handling, braking, and fuel efficiency, and tracking these trips can help in analysing fuel usage and scheduling maintenance accordingly.

C

CAN bus (Controller Area Network bus)

An internal network system in vehicles that allows microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other. This real-time data exchange ensures that vital components, such as the engine and transmission, operate in harmony and can be monitored for faults.

Commercial Dashcams

Vehicle-mounted cameras that continuously record on-road events. These devices not only provide crucial evidence for insurance claims but also serve as tools for driver training and monitoring, ensuring accountability and enhancing safety. Discover more about commercial dashcams.

Connect & Track

A self-install tracker designed for quick deployment and easy transfer between vehicles. It connects directly to the vehicle’s battery, offering a flexible alternative to hardwired units without compromising on tracking accuracy or reliability. Learn about Connect & Track.

Cyber Essentials

A UK government-backed certification that confirms a business has met essential cybersecurity measures. For telematics systems, this means sensitive vehicle and driver data is protected against common online threats, ensuring the integrity of your tracking operations. Find our Cyber Essentials listing here.

D

Deadheading

Describes a situation where a vehicle operates without carrying cargo or passengers. Minimising deadheading is key to reducing wasted fuel, lowering costs, and improving overall fleet productivity by ensuring every journey is revenue-generating.

Digital Tachograph

An electronic device that logs key data such as speed, distance travelled, and driver hours. These records help ensure compliance with driving regulations and provide a reliable audit trail for fleet managers during inspections or after incidents. Find out more about how digital tachographs work here.

Driver Behaviour Monitoring

Tracks metrics such as speeding, harsh braking, rapid acceleration, and idling. The insights gained help in adjusting driver training programmes, reducing fuel costs, and improving overall road safety by promoting better driving practices. Learn more about how Quartix can improve driver behaviour here.

Driver ID

Driver ID is a system that assigns telematics data to a specific driver, enabling businesses to accurately track who was operating a vehicle at any given time. This ensures that all reports—such as speeding, harsh braking, and route history—are linked to the correct driver rather than just the vehicle.

Unlike traditional Driver ID systems that require installing hardware like a magnetic receiver in the vehicle’s dashboard and using key fobs or PIN entry, Quartix offers a hardware-free, app-based solution. With the mobile app, drivers can be identified without needing physical fobs or dashboard modifications. This eliminates installation costs, prevents potential vehicle damage from drilling hardware, and removes the risk of lost or unassigned key fobs. It provides a seamless, cost-effective way to track driver behaviour without requiring additional peripherals.

Driver Privacy Protection

Privacy Protection safeguards personal and location data while maintaining essential tracking for business purposes. With Quartix’s app-based Privacy Mode, drivers can easily check out of business activity without requiring additional hardware, such as a dashboard-installed button. This eliminates installation costs, prevents vehicle modifications, and removes the risk of hardware failure or misuse.

When activated, Privacy Mode hides personally identifiable location data, ensuring GDPR compliance while still preserving essential mileage records. This allows businesses to track total distances traveled without accessing private journey details—ideal for accurately reporting private mileage and calculating benefit-in-kind contributions.

E

Eco-driving

Encourages driving techniques that reduce fuel consumption and emissions. This involves smooth acceleration, steady speeds, and minimal idling, which not only conserves energy but also extends the vehicle’s lifespan and lowers operating costs.

Electronic Logging Device (ELD)

A digital recorder that automatically logs driving hours and engine data, ensuring adherence to legal working time regulations. This reduces the risk of fatigue-related incidents and simplifies compliance checks during fleet audits.

F

Fleet Manager

The individual or team responsible for coordinating routes, scheduling maintenance, and overseeing overall fleet performance. With detailed tracking data, fleet managers can make informed decisions that improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance safety. Learn more about how Fleet Managers benefit from Quartix.

Fleet Management

Involves using tools and reports to monitor aspects such as vehicle performance, maintenance needs, and driver behaviour. Effective fleet management systems enable businesses to reduce costs, boost productivity, and maintain regulatory compliance. More on fleet management here.

First Notice of Loss (eFNOL)

The initial digital report submitted immediately after an incident. eFNOL speeds up the claims process, allowing insurers to quickly assess damage and arrange repairs, thus minimising vehicle downtime.

FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme)

A voluntary accreditation for fleet operators, promoting best practices in safety, environmental standards, and efficiency. Achieving FORS certification can enhance a company’s reputation and demonstrate its commitment to industry-leading standards. Check out our comprehensive overview of FORS for operators.

G

Galileo

The EU’s satellite navigation system, designed to complement other systems like GPS and GLONASS. Galileo enhances location accuracy, ensuring that fleet tracking is precise and reliable even in challenging environments.

Geofencing
Creates virtual boundaries around specified areas. When a vehicle enters or exits these zones, the system triggers alerts. This feature is particularly useful for monitoring high-value assets or ensuring that vehicles remain within designated areas. Learn more about Quartix geo-fencing features.

GLONASS
Russia’s satellite navigation network, often used alongside GPS for improved positioning accuracy. By integrating GLONASS, telematics systems can deliver more reliable location data, especially in regions where one system might have limited coverage.

GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System)
An umbrella term covering all satellite navigation systems, including GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS. Using multiple systems together enhances tracking accuracy and reliability, especially in areas with potential signal obstructions.

GPS (Global Positioning System)
A US-managed satellite network providing real-time location and timing data. GPS is the backbone of modern fleet tracking, delivering the precise coordinates needed for route optimisation and asset management.

H

Hardwired Tracker
A tracking device that is permanently connected to a vehicle’s electrical system. Its fixed installation makes it less susceptible to tampering or removal, providing a secure and reliable solution for continuous monitoring. Explore our hardware options.

HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle)
Refers to trucks or lorries that exceed a certain weight threshold, typically used for long-haul freight. Tracking HGVs helps manage fuel efficiency, driver behaviour, and compliance with regulatory standards across extensive routes.

Hours of Service (HOS)
Regulations that limit the total number of hours a driver can be active in a vehicle, aimed at reducing fatigue-related incidents. Accurate HOS monitoring ensures compliance and helps prevent overworked drivers, thereby enhancing road safety.

I

Idling
When a vehicle’s engine runs while the vehicle is stationary. Idling wastes fuel and contributes to unnecessary emissions, making it important to monitor and manage for both economic and environmental reasons.

Installation
The process of fitting a tracking device into a vehicle. Whether it’s a hardwired solution or a self-install option like Connect & Track, efficient installation minimises downtime and ensures that tracking starts immediately. Find out more about the Quartix installation process.

L

Latitude
A geographic coordinate that indicates a location’s north-south position on Earth. When paired with longitude, it provides a precise pinpoint for vehicle tracking and route analysis.

LGV (Large Goods Vehicle)
A term often used interchangeably with HGV, referring to vehicles designed for transporting significant cargo loads. Accurate tracking of LGVs is essential for ensuring compliance with weight regulations and optimising delivery routes.

Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV)
Typically vans or pickups that fall under a specific weight limit and are often used for local deliveries or service calls. Tracking LCVs helps manage fuel efficiency, maintenance schedules, and route performance in urban settings.

Longitude
The geographic coordinate measuring a location’s east-west position. Together with latitude, it enables precise mapping and tracking of vehicles, crucial for effective fleet management.

M

Miles per Gallon (MPG)

A measure of fuel efficiency that calculates the distance a vehicle travels per gallon of fuel consumed. Tracking MPG helps fleet managers identify inefficiencies and implement strategies to improve fuel economy, ultimately reducing costs and emissions.

N

NAVSTAR GPS

The official designation for the US Global Positioning System. NAVSTAR GPS remains the industry standard for reliable location tracking, forming the foundation for most telematics systems.

O

OBD (On-Board Diagnostics)
The vehicle’s diagnostic interface, typically found under the dashboard, that provides real-time location much like Connect & Track or Hardwired trackers but without the wires or direct battery connection. Devices like Plug & Track use the OBD port to access essential data without complex installations.

Odometer
A device that records the total distance a vehicle has travelled. Odometer readings are critical for scheduling maintenance, calculating depreciation, and monitoring overall vehicle usage.

P

PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles)
Vehicles that combine a traditional internal combustion engine with an electric motor, allowing for flexible, energy-efficient driving. Tracking PHEVs is simple with Quartix, find out more.

Plug & Track
A self-install tracking solution that plugs into a vehicle’s OBD port. It offers flexibility by being easily transferable between vehicles while still providing comprehensive telematics data without the need for permanent installation.

Privacy Mode
Suspends or limits location tracking during personal vehicle use while still recording total mileage for business purposes. This mode helps ensure driver privacy without compromising on essential data for tax or compliance purposes.

PSV (Passenger Service Vehicle)
Vehicles licensed to carry passengers for hire, including buses, coaches, and minibuses. Accurate tracking of PSVs is vital for ensuring passenger safety, meeting regulatory standards, and maintaining operational efficiency.

R

RFID Fob
A small handheld device that drivers use to log into the vehicle tracking system. By linking trips to individual drivers, these fobs ensure accountability and accuracy in recorded data without requiring complex hardware setups.

Note: While many systems out there use RFID-based fobs, our approach eliminates the need for RFID technology. Instead we opt for a magnetic fob solution that is more cost-effective, easy to install, and perfectly suited to our hardware-free, app-based system.

Route Optimisation
Using smart algorithms to work out the quickest, most cost-effective routes, reducing fuel use and travel time. While Quartix doesn’t offer this feature directly, we integrate seamlessly with platforms like Maxoptra to provide comprehensive route planning solutions.

S

SafeSpeed Database
A Quartix-specific dataset that compares a vehicle’s speed against historical averages. This tool helps identify risky driving behaviour and promotes safer driving practices by flagging deviations from normal speed patterns. Find out more about the SafeSpeed Database.

SaaS (Software as a Service)
A general term for cloud-based software delivery model accessed via subscription. The Quartix SaaS solution offers scalable, always-up-to-date information that can be accessed from anywhere on any device including our mobile app.

SIM Card
Enables the tracker to communicate through mobile networks by sending vehicle data back to a central system. A reliable SIM card connection is essential for real-time tracking and remote data analysis.

Stop
Any instance where a vehicle comes to a halt with the ignition on. For telematics purposes, stops lasting longer than 2 1/2 minutes are flagged as ‘idling’ periods, which can then be analysed for fuel wastage and operational inefficiencies.

T

Telematics
An umbrella term for technologies that combine telecommunications and data collection. Telematics systems like Quartix gather and transmit real-time data on vehicle location, performance, and driver behaviour to improve fleet management.

Telemetry
The process of collecting and transmitting data from remote vehicles to a central hub. Telemetry allows fleet managers to monitor vehicle diagnostics, fuel efficiency, and other performance metrics in real time.

Temperature Monitoring
Real-time tracking of the internal temperature of a vehicle or cargo area. This is particularly crucial for perishable goods or sensitive equipment, ensuring that conditions remain within required parameters throughout transit. Find out more about temperature monitoring.

Tracking Device
A physical unit installed in a vehicle—whether hardwired or OBD-based—that collects data on location, speed, and usage. This device forms the backbone of any fleet tracking system, ensuring continuous and accurate monitoring.

Trailer Tracking
Involves monitoring the location and status of a trailer, even when it is not attached to a vehicle. This is vital for reducing theft risk and improving asset management, particularly for companies that operate detachable trailers.

Trip
Defined as the period from ignition-on to ignition-off, including any stops made along the way. Detailed trip data provides insights into route efficiency, fuel consumption, and driver performance over each journey.

Truck Tracking
Specialised telematics for trucks that focuses on monitoring routes, fuel usage, and driver behaviour. Given the unique challenges of long-haul freight, truck tracking ensures compliance with regulations and optimises operational efficiency.

U

ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone)

Designated areas—such as central London—where strict emission standards apply or where high-polluting vehicles incur charges. Tracking vehicles in ULEZ zones helps companies manage compliance and avoid unexpected fines. Find out more about how Quartix supports businesses around ULEZ.

V

Van Tracking
Real-time monitoring of vans, typically used for local deliveries or service fleets. By tracking van movements, companies can optimise routes, reduce fuel wastage, and ensure that vehicles are used efficiently. Discover ways Quartix supports business tracking their vans.

Routine inspections that verify a vehicle’s roadworthiness and legal compliance. Quartix Check, our dedicated vehicle inspections app, harnesses tracking data to flag maintenance needs, identify potential issues, and ensure all safety standards are met. Explore Quartix Check for a streamlined approach to vehicle inspections.

Vehicle Tracking
A GPS-based system that continuously reports a vehicle’s location, speed, and overall activity. Effective vehicle tracking not only reduces operational costs but also enhances security and improves fleet oversight by providing actionable insights in real time. Find out about Quartix vehicle tracking solution.

Y

Yield Management
Involves optimising vehicle scheduling and utilisation to reduce idle time and boost profitability. By analysing tracking data, businesses can ensure that every vehicle is used to its maximum potential without unnecessary downtime. Explore our trip reporting capabilities.