The increasing need for vehicle security, fleet monitoring, and real-time location awareness has driven innovations in tracking technologies. This paper presents the development and implementation of an IoT-based GPS vehicle tracking system that integrates satellite navigation, microcontroller processing, and dual-mode data communication via Wi-Fi and GSM networks. The system employs a NEO-6M GPS module to acquire real-time geolocation data, which is processed by a NodeMCU ESP8266 microcontroller and transmitted to a remote monitoring interface using the Blynk IoT platform. A SIM800L GSM module provides an alternative communication channel, sending location data via SMS when internet connectivity is unavailable. Field tests were conducted in urban, semi-rural, and remote areas to evaluate system performance based on key metrics: Wi-Fi update time, SMS delivery latency, and GPS accuracy. Results show that while Wi-Fi ensures fast updates in well-connected zones, the GSM module guarantees reliable fallback communication in low-coverage environments. GPS accuracy remained within acceptable limits, ranging from 2.5 meters in urban areas to 4.8 meters in remote regions. The system’s architecture demonstrates a low-cost, scalable, and energy-efficient solution suitable for personal and commercial vehicle tracking applications. Its dual communication capability enhances robustness and reliability, making it adaptable to diverse deployment scenarios. The results validate the potential of IoT-driven vehicle tracking systems in improving transportation safety, logistics efficiency, and asset monitoring.
Jimoh et al. (Wed,) studied this question.