Skip to main content

Shipper TMS - Carrier GPS Tracking

Sam
Updated

Introduction

Carrier GPS tracking in Super Dispatch provides real-time location updates for active loads, helping dispatchers and shippers track shipments without the need for constant calls or texts. Shippers using Shipper TMS can see a carrier's GPS status, estimated arrival times, and last known location on a live map — directly on the Orders list and the Order page, in addition to the Online BOL.

What is Carrier GPS Tracking?

Carrier GPS tracking allows dispatchers and shippers using Super Dispatch to monitor a driver's location and estimated arrival times (ETA).

  • Tracking is only active when a driver has active loads.
  • Drivers can turn GPS tracking off when they are off duty.
  • Real-time updates reduce the need for manual communication between drivers, dispatchers, and shippers.
  • Shippers using Super Dispatch can view tracking information through their Shipper TMS, including:
    • Whether a carrier's GPS is active or inactive for an order.
    • The driver's estimated arrival at pickup and delivery (when the driver provides it).
    • The driver's last known location on a live map.

How Carriers Set Up GPS Tracking

Step 1 — Open the Tracking Page

In Carrier TMS, click on the Tracking icon in the left-hand menu.

Tracking icon in Carrier TMS

Step 2 — Add a Driver for Tracking

  1. Click the Add Drivers button at the bottom of the screen.
  2. Locate the driver's name in the list, select the checkbox next to their name, and click Add.
Add driver list in Carrier TMS

Step 3 — Driver Accepts Tracking Request

  1. The driver will receive a request in the Driver App to allow tracking.
  2. The driver must tap Continue to proceed.
Driver App tracking request

Step 4 — Enable Location Services

  1. The driver will be prompted to allow location services on their device.
  2. Once the driver enables location services, their live location will appear on the Tracking page in Carrier TMS — and become visible to the shipper in Shipper TMS.
Device location services prompt

Tracking Loads in Shipper TMS

Shippers using Shipper TMS can monitor a driver's GPS status, ETAs, and last known location whenever GPS tracking is enabled. You can do this in three places: the Orders list, the Order page (including map view), and the Online BOL.

GPS Status and ETAs on the Orders List

The Orders list shows GPS information at a glance for each order, so you can scan the status of all your active shipments without opening each one.

  • GPS status — each order shows whether the carrier's GPS is Active or Inactive:
    • If GPS is currently inactive, the order shows the last active time (when GPS was last on).
    • If GPS has never been active for the order, the order shows GPS Inactive with no "last seen" information.
  • Estimated arrival — when the driver provides an ETA, the list shows the estimated arrival at pickup and estimated arrival at delivery. If an ETA has already passed, the list continues to show the last ETA the driver provided.
  • Sort by ETA — you can sort the Orders list by upcoming ETA to prioritize shipments arriving soonest.
  • Map view toggle — the driver's city/state on the Orders list is a link that opens the map view for that order, so you can jump straight from the list to the driver's location on a map.

Viewing Live Location on the Order Page

Open an order to see its full GPS details and a live map.

  • The Order page shows the driver's last known location (city/state).
  • It displays the same GPS status (Active / Inactive, with last active time when applicable) and ETAs (estimated arrival at pickup and delivery) shown on the Orders list.
  • For active shipments where the driver has GPS enabled, a map displays the carrier's last known GPS location along with the ETA the driver provided.

If an order has more than one driver:

  • The map opens to the driver assigned to the first vehicle in the order by default.
  • You can click each driver on the map to see that driver's vehicle and distance information.

When the map view is unavailable:

  • If GPS has never been active for the order, the map view is disabled.
  • If all vehicles in the order have been delivered, the map view is disabled.

When GPS Tracking Starts and Stops

GPS tracking turns on and off automatically based on the shipment's progress, which is why you may sometimes see an order's GPS as inactive.

  • Tracking automatically begins when the driver enters the pickup geofence, or when the shipment status changes to Picked Up / In Transit.
  • Tracking automatically stops when the shipment status changes to Delivered.

Viewing Location on the Online BOL

  1. Locate the load — search for the load in Shipper TMS that you want to track, then click View Online BOL.
  2. View driver location on the BOL — once the Bill of Lading opens, the driver's real-time location is displayed. The system updates location details regularly, so check back to get the latest status.
View Online BOL link in Shipper TMS
Driver location on Online BOL

Troubleshooting Missing or Inactive Location Data

If a driver's location is not showing or is not updating, check the following:

  • GPS shows Inactive or "last seen" instead of a live location — the driver may be off duty or have GPS turned off. Note that tracking stops automatically once a shipment is marked Delivered, and the last active time will be shown.
  • Map view is disabled — this is expected when GPS has never been active for the order, or when all vehicles in the order have already been delivered.
  • No location at all — contact the carrier to confirm that location services are enabled on the driver's device, and that the driver has been added under Tracking in Carrier TMS.

Next Steps

Learn more about managing your orders and carriers in Shipper TMS:

Related articles