A Systematic Design of a Low-Cost Real-Time Vehicle Tracking System for Enhanced Security and Location Monitoring

The rapid development of vehicle tracking technology has significantly enhanced the safety and security of vehicles worldwide. This paper presents the design and implementation of a real-time vehicle tracking system utilising Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) technologies, based on the Arduino Uno platform. The proposed system enables vehicle owners to continuously monitor their vehicle's location, receiving instant SMS notifications for unauthorised movement, speed violations, and historical location data. The system's core components include an Arduino Uno microcontroller, interfaced with a SIM900A GSM module and a NEO-6 M GPS module, enabling real-time tracking via SMS alerts and Google Maps integration. Key features include automatic alerts for unauthorised car startups, exceeding speed limits, live tracking requests, and location history retrieval. The system stores the last five GPS coordinates in EEPROM memory and offers a user-friendly interface for retrieving data via SMS. The integration of Google Maps enhances the tracking experience by providing a visual representation of the vehicle’s location. This solution offers a cost-effective and reliable means of vehicle monitoring, contributing to improved vehicle security and owner peace of mind.