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Wireless Tracking System For Metro Govt. Cars

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Satellites may soon be keeping tabs on taxpayer dollars.

Some local officials want to install global positioning systems on government cars.

"You can go and type where you want to go and it shows you what direction," said Garrett Spitler, a driver.

His copilot fits in the palm of his hand.

"I'd be lost without it," he said.

Before buying his $300 GPS, he downloaded directions from the Internet. There was a downside. 

"If you're on the road, a lot of times you'll be out driving decide you want to go somewhere and you don't know where you're going," he said. "You'd have to go home, get directions, and then head back out.  This way it's right here in front of you. And you have it."

The GPS uses satellite technology to tell a driver where they are and how to get to their destination.

"And this really caught my eye," said Metro Councilman Charlie Tygard.

Recently Tygard learned other cities are finding direction and saving taxpayer dollars with GPS systems.

"These devices literally pay for themselves in a matter of months if you use them correctly and monitor them correctly so," he said. "I think it would be a very good investment," he said.

Tygard's asked officials to study the cost of putting GPS systems in many of Metro's 3,500-car fleet.

Tygard said the system would save fuel and keep employees using city owned cars honest.

"But hopefully it will be used in a positive way to create efficiencies and not be used as a punitive act," he said.

"It takes a minute. Once it computes here show us your arrival time," Spitler said.

From a taxpayer perspective, Spitler said he supports the plan.

"Absolutely, absolutely 100 percent," he said.

He just hopes the Metro Council can make it happen.

Metro's General Services department is studying the possibility of putting GPS systems in cars.

The director of that department said they'll look at how those systems are used in other cities and how much they cost.

They'd also have to decide which Metro departments would see the biggest benefit from the technology.

The Metro Council will discuss the GPS resolution during their next meeting on Tuesday night.