Vehicle location data is the big data collection of vehicle locations, including automatic vehicle location data, a core feature of any vehicle tracking system. This usually includes times and often photographs as well, a practice known as video telematics. The process of collecting this data from remote assets via telemetry is a core component of telematics, often managed by a telematic control unit. Its application in the commercial sector forms the basis of fleet digitalization and is central to any fleet telematics system.
Common methods of data collection include automatic number plate recognition from cameras, such as a Dashcam, and radio-frequency identification (RFID) from transponders. In commercial contexts, a dedicated GPS tracking unit is often used for this purpose, forming part of a wider tracking system. Databases of this information are maintained by both government and private entities. For businesses, this data is essential for fleet management tasks like Track and trace, enabling vehicle repossession, and consumer profiling through methods like Driver scoring. Government databases have been subjected to legal orders for location data, and access may be granted in both criminal and civil cases.