GPS Confirmation

GPS confirmation is the recording of geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) at the moment a package is scanned as delivered. This location data provides proof that the delivery driver was at or near the recipient’s address when marking the package as delivered.

How GPS Confirmation Works

The Process

1. Driver arrives at delivery location
2. Scans package barcode with device
3. Device captures GPS coordinates
4. Data uploaded with delivery scan
5. Coordinates logged in tracking system

Data Captured

Delivery Record:
─────────────────────────
Time: 2:34:17 PM EST
GPS: 40.7589° N, 73.9851° W
Accuracy: ±5 meters
Address: 123 Main St
Status: Delivered - Front Door
─────────────────────────

GPS Accuracy Levels

Typical Accuracy

Factors Affecting Accuracy

• Urban canyons (tall buildings)
• Weather conditions
• Device quality
• Satellite visibility
• Indoor vs. outdoor

GPS in Carrier Systems

UPS

• GPS logging on all deliveries
• Part of driver device (DIAD)
• Integrated with tracking
• Used for routing optimization

FedEx

• GPS on scanner devices
• Coordinates with delivery scan
• Available in detailed tracking
• Supports delivery verification

Amazon

• Driver app captures GPS
• Combined with delivery photo
• High accuracy required
• Performance metric for drivers

USPS

• Expanding GPS capability
• MDD (Mobile Delivery Device)
• Coordinates logged
• Growing implementation

Benefits of GPS Confirmation

For Recipients

• Proof delivery occurred at address
• Disputes false “delivered” claims
• Verifies correct location
• Supports missing package claims

For Carriers

• Driver accountability
• Fraud prevention
• Route verification
• Delivery accuracy metrics
• Dispute resolution

For Shippers

• Delivery confirmation
• Customer service support
• Claim investigation
• Quality monitoring

GPS vs. Other Proof Methods

Combined Verification

Complete delivery proof:
✓ GPS coordinates (where)
✓ Timestamp (when)
✓ Photo (what/how)
✓ Signature (who)

Using GPS in Disputes

When GPS Helps

• “Package never delivered”
• Wrong address claims
• Stolen package investigation
• Driver accountability

Requesting GPS Data

1. Contact carrier
2. Provide tracking number
3. Explain dispute
4. Request delivery coordinates
5. Compare to your address

Interpreting GPS Data

Your address: 123 Main St
GPS shows: 125 Main St

Possible explanations:
- Misdelivery (2 doors down)
- GPS drift (normal tolerance)
- Multi-unit building
- Driver error

GPS Limitations

Technical Limitations

• Not 100% accurate
• Indoor delivery challenges
• Device variability
• Signal interference

What GPS Doesn’t Prove

• Package still there after delivery
• Correct recipient received it
• Package wasn’t stolen later
• Contents were intact

Privacy Considerations

Driver Tracking

• GPS tracks driver location
• During working hours
• Used for route optimization
• Performance monitoring

Recipient Privacy

• Location only at delivery
• Not continuous tracking
• Stored in carrier systems
• Subject to privacy policies

GPS and Smart Delivery

Advanced Applications

• Real-time driver location
• Accurate ETA predictions
• Geofence notifications
• “Driver nearby” alerts

Geofencing

When driver enters zone (500m):
→ Notification: "Driver is nearby"

When driver at address (50m):
→ Notification: "Driver arriving"

GPS Data Access

How to View

• Detailed tracking (some carriers)
• Customer service request
• API access (business accounts)
• Carrier investigation

What’s Available

GPS Quality Requirements

Carrier Standards

• Minimum accuracy thresholds
• Signal quality checks
• Timestamp synchronization
• Data integrity validation

When GPS Fails

• Indoor deliveries
• Parking garages
• Dense urban areas
• Poor weather

Fallback: Manual address entry, driver notes