Traccar – Open Source GPS Tracking System
Traccar is an open source GPS tracking system for various GPS tracking devices. This Maven Project is written in Java and works on most platforms with installed Java Runtime Environment.
System supports more than 80 different communication protocols from popular vendors. It includes web interface to manage tracking devices online… Traccar is the best free and open source GPS tracking system software offers self hosting real time online vehicle fleet management and personal tracking… Traccar supports more than 80 GPS communication protocols and more than 600 models of GPS tracking devices.
To start using Traccar Server follow instructions below:
- Download and install Traccar
- Reboot system, Traccar will start automatically
- Open web interface (http://localhost:8082)
- Log in as administrator (user – admin, password – admin) or register a new user
- Add new device with unique identifier (see section below)
- Configure your device to use appropriate address and port (see section below)
Device Unique Identifier
For most devices you should use IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number as unique identifier. However, some devices have vendor specific unique identifier, for example TK-103 devices use 12-digit identifier.
If you don’t know device identifier you can configure device first and look at server log file. When server receives message from unknown device it writes a record containing unique identifier of new device. Look for records like “Unknown device – 123456789012345”, where 123456789012345 is your device identifier.
Address and Port
To host Traccar server your computer must have public IP address. Most ISPs provide such feature for extra fee.
To select correct port find your device in the list of supported devices. If you own a cheap Chinese GPS tracker please read this information. Port column of corresponding row contains default port number for your device. If you want to use different from default ports you can change them in the configuration file.
Traccar web interface supports multiple different map tile servers. Default map layer can be selected for the whole server by an admin user. Server-wide setting can be overridden for each user. Below you can find more information about all map layers available in Traccar GPS tracking server:
OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a collaborative project to create a free editable map of the world. OSM layer is the default one in Traccar. It’s completely free, doesn’t require any API keys and can be used for any commercial purposes.
Quality of map data varies in different areas because most of the data is collected by volunteers performing systematic ground surveys using tools such as a handheld GPS unit, a notebook, digital camera, or a voice recorder. Some government agencies have released official data on appropriate licenses which increases the quality in some geographical areas.
Bing Maps
Bing Maps is a web mapping service provided as a part of Microsoft’s Bing suite of search engines and powered by the Bing Maps for Enterprise framework. It requires API key and subject to Microsoft terms and conditions for the service. API key can be set in the server settings.
Two layers are available:
- Road view – displays vector imagery of roads, buildings, and geography
- Aerial view – satellite imagery
Custom
Custom layers allows Traccar to use any tile server to retrieve map tiles. It requires URL in special format set in the server settings by admin user. Note that map data provided by third parties is a subject to terms and conditions and in some cases it might be illegal to use third party tile server without special permission or license from the service provider.
Custom map layer will be available starting from Traccar version 3.2.
Examples of tile servers:
- Google Road:
http://mt0.google.com/vt/lyrs=m&hl=en&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}&s=Ga - Google Satellite:
http://mt0.google.com/vt/lyrs=s&hl=en&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}&s=Ga - ArcGis Topo:
http://services.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/World_Topo_Map/MapServer/tile/{z}/{y}/{x}.png - ArcGis Imagery:
http://services.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/World_Imagery/MapServer/tile/{z}/{y}/{x}.png - Yandex (not supported yet because of the different projection – EPSG:3395):
http://vec04.maps.yandex.net/tiles?l=map&v=2.26.0&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}&lang=ru-RU
Traccar Client
Turn any smartphone into a GPS tracker
Source && Download
