Geofences
Introduction
This module allows you to create and manage geofences within the BlueTrax system.
Geofences are virtual boundaries defined within a geographic area, used to trigger certain actions or alerts when a asset enters or exits the designated area.
We have three types of geofences in BlueTrax
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Circle Geofence:
- A circle geofence is defined by a central point and a radius.
- It creates a circular boundary around the central point.
- Any location falling within the specified radius from the center is considered inside the geofence.
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Route Geofence:
- A route geofence is defined by a sequence of connected points forming a route or path.
- It creates a boundary along the specified route.
- Any location that falls within a certain distance from the route is considered inside the geofence.
- Route geofences are useful for tracking movement along specific paths, such as roads.
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Polygon Geofence:
- A polygon geofence is defined by a series of interconnected points forming a closed shape.
- It creates a boundary in the shape of the enclosed polygon.
- Any location falling within the polygon’s boundary is considered inside the geofence.
- Polygon geofences offer flexibility in defining irregular or complex areas, such as building perimeters or property boundaries.
Adding Geofences
To add and manage geofences, navigate to Geofences under Tracking
You will see three types of Geofences at the top left of the map. Select the geofence type you wish to create by clicking on it and follow the steps below
A. To add a Circle Geofence
- Click the Circle icon at the top of the screen.
- A default circle will appear in the center of the map, based on your current zoom level.
- To resize the geofence, drag any of the four dots located on the circle’s edge.
- To move the circle, click and drag the dot in the center to your desired location.
- If you make a mistake, use the undo icon to revert changes like resizing or moving the circle.
B. To add a Route Geofence
- Click the Route icon at the top of the screen.
- A window will appear where you can enter the start and end locations. These locations are auto-populated as you type, based on Google Maps data.
- You can also add checkpoints to force the route through specific locations. For example, when creating a route from Nakuru to Mombasa, you can force the route to pass through Mai Mahiu instead of taking the main highway.
- To add multiple checkpoints, click the Plus icon.
- Keep in mind that using a location name for the start or end point will select a general area, such as Mombasa CBD when specifying “Mombasa.”
- For more precision, click the map icon next to the start or end point text box, then select your desired location on the map. This will auto-populate the text box with the exact coordinates.
- You can rearrange the start, end, or checkpoint locations by dragging them using the six-dot icon next to each point.
- Once all points are added, click Plot to display the route for preview.
C. To add a Polygon Geofence
- Click the Polygon icon at the top of the screen.
- Select the starting point for your geofence by clicking on the desired location on the map.
- Continue clicking on additional points to outline the area you want to cover.
- To complete the polygon, click back on the first point. The system will automatically detect this and close the shape.
Configuring geofence details, settings, parameters, and actions
This applies to all types of geofence above
- Name – The geofence name you would like to give it
- Assigned to – The list of vehicles who’s the geofence will be applied to. Select all vehicles if you need it applied to all vehicles
- Zone trigger action
- On Enter:
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- This trigger action is activated when an asset crosses the boundary into the defined geofence zone.
- Typically used to initiate actions or alerts when a asset enters a specified area.
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- On Exit:
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- This trigger action is activated when an asset moves outside the boundary of the defined geofence zone.
- Used to initiate actions or alerts when an asset exits a specified area.
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- While Inside:
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- This trigger action is activated continuously while an asset remains within the boundaries of the defined geofence zone.
- Used to monitor and trigger actions based on the asset’s continuous presence inside the specified area.
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- While Outside:
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- This trigger action is activated continuously while an asset remains outside the boundaries of the defined geofence zone.
- Used to monitor and trigger actions based on the device’s continuous presence outside the specified area.
Once you select the Zone Trigger, select the action
Zone trigger actions are often associated with geofencing to specify what actions should be taken when certain events occur within a defined geofence zone:
Send Email:
- When this trigger action is activated, the geofencing system sends an email to one or more specified recipients.
- Emails will contain relevant information such as the event that triggered the action, the location of the asset, and any other pertinent details.
Send SMS:
- Similar to sending emails, this trigger action involves sending a text message (SMS) to predefined recipients.
- SMS messages can provide real-time notifications or alerts to users’ mobile devices.
- This action is often used when immediate communication is necessary or when recipients may not have access to email.
Immobilize:
- This trigger action involves taking control of a asset, typically a vehicle, to immobilize it or restrict its movement.
- Immobilization will involve remotely activating a vehicle’s immobilizer system, which prevents the engine from starting or disables certain functions.
- This action is commonly used for security or safety purposes, such as preventing unauthorized vehicle use or responding to theft attempts.
Accessing and Editing Geofences
You can access and edit geofence by clicking on the geofence tab and checking the left panel
