GPS for Truck Drivers

Has your GPS taken you down a restricted route lately? Just where are the GPS units that tell you this road is off-limits? It's really more a question of where is the truck-specific map data available. The road network has been comprehensively captured digitally, for the most part. 

What's scarce, is data that warns truckers of physical and legal restrictions that bar trucks and other oversized vehicles from passing on certain roads.   

You have two GPS options as the owner of a Truck or RV: Portable Navigation Devices (PNDs) like the Garmin Nuvi or Laptop / GPS receiver combo with software, for example ALK Technologies Copilot Truck.

 

Truck-Specific Map Data

The GPS software for a trucker should provide routes that take into account physical and legal restrictions for 18-wheelers and the like. Highways, tunnels, bridges and narrow roads can prove to be challenging and sometimes costly for you when driving your truck. 

Truck route restrictions should include

  • Steep grades
  • Low clearances (height)
  • Weight restrictions.
  • Width restrictions.
  • Length restrictions
  • Speed limits for trucks
  • Turn restrictions
  • Dangerous bends
  • Hazmat routing
  • Loading and unloading restrictions

And the ability to

  • Input weight, length, width and height of truck
  • Locate truck facilities and services
  • Recommend state level routes

In addition, the portable GPS unit should come with a remote control - it comes in handy if your windshield is far away.

 

Digital Map Providers

Navteq and Tele Atlas are the two primary sources of digital maps and navigational software for the portable GPS units on the market as well as the automotive industry. Garmin and Magellan, for example, use maps from Navteq.  TomTom, on the other hand, uses Tele Atlas maps.

Within recent years, Navteq and Tele Atlas have both stepped up their efforts to acquire truck-specific map data in the US, as stated in this truck gps article  by Kantele Franko , The Associated Press. As a matter of fact, since November 2005, Navteq announced the availability of truck attribute data for manufacturers as seen in this press release: Navteq Offers Truck Attribute Data.

Yet the most popular portable GPS units on the market have  been slow to incorporate  the new truck attribute data. The reasons for this are not clear. I do know that Navteq plans to deliver its core Map Data with the new truck-specifc data in one bundle in Q4 2008. Maybe this advancement will see a plethora of GPS units with truck-specific data on the store shelves.

 

PNDs vs Laptop with GPS Receiver

You have two GPS options as the owner of a Truck or RV:

  • Portable Navigation Devices such as the Garmin Nuvi 5000 or  TomTom GoGo 930.
  • Laptop / GPS receiver combo with software e.g.
    • ALK Technologies Copilot Truck 11.

Portable GPS units offer a convenient and simplistic all-in-one package.  The price tag for one of these Garmin or TomTom units, particularly with large screens, can cost you over $400 though.

Laptop systems, on the other hand, may cost you half the price of a PND - assuming of course you already own a laptop.  It maybe rather inconvenient though to be driving around with your laptop even on a truck laptop mount.

 

PNDs

It goes without saying, accurate GPS navigation is the primary feature of any GPS unit. To this end, Garmin StreetPilots and the newer Nuvi line really shine. Unfortunately, Garmin is yet to offer any true truck GPS units.

Even though the Garmin StreetPilot and Nuvi series may have models that possess a routing mode for trucks, it's not quite what it seems.

Garmin, as a matter of fact, states on its web site's Q&A:

Question:  Does the mapping software in my unit have truck routes?
Answer: Garmin mapping software does not contain truck routes or low clearances. From the settings in the Navigation icon, you can put the unit in truck mode (under vehicle type). This means that the unit will navigate on major roads as much as possible. However, if there is only one way to get to your destination and it is going down a street on which trucks are not allowed, the unit will plan to navigate that road.

Despite being devoid of truck routes, there're some StreetPilots and Nuvis that attempt to fulfill the needs of truckers and RV owners.

 The Garmin Nuvi 5000, as well as the StreetPilot 7200, allows you to specify roads or areas to avoid when planning your trips. This feature is called Customized Routing. Hence, for known restricted roads or bridges, this is a great means for truckers to plan suitable routes.  For the unknown ones however, you'll still need to use your Rand McNally Truckers' Atlas.

These units also include avoidance options for tolls and u-turns - a big plus when driving your RV or truck.

The Nuvi 5000 and the StreetPilot 7200 also sport very large screens. The latter measures 7" diagonally and the former 5", for easy visibility on distant windshields.

 

Laptop + GPS Receiver + Software

ALK Technologies CoPilot Truck 11 is chock-full of GPS features for truck drivers.  It boasts of routing options that include Toll Avoidance, National Network, 53' Trailer and HazMat.  HazMat include  General, Caustic, Explosives, Flammable, Inhalants and Radioactive. The Points of Interest (POI's) database contains Truck Stops and Rest Areas.

One caveat on Toll Avoidance, is that you can possibly end up spending more money on fuel than paying your toll. So be meticulous  with your trip planning! 

Like the newer Garmin or TomTom PNDs, the CoPilot's USB and Bluetooth GPS receivers come with the SiRFstarIII chipset.  It's far more sensitive to satellite signals than the SiRFstarII, which results in a more reliable GPS.

On the downside, the CoPilot Truck 11 with its GPS receiver is not on par with the Garmin Nuvis when it comes to its primary functionality. Not only are the maps less accurate, but also the routing engine seems to be less efficient as well.

 

Conclusion

Developments in the trucking industry mapping-landscape are abound.  I'm sure in the very near future we can expect  a plethora of truck GPS units that fulfill our basic trucking navigational needs and more. In the meantime, the choice from the current crop of Garmin and TomTom PNDs or Laptop based GPS systems leaves us yearning for more.