If you build software for public safety, municipal services, or fleet management, you’re probably used to a strict rule: No using Google Maps Platform for emergency vehicles. For years, developers were forced to use alternative, less accurate basemaps just to comply with the old terms. But the rules just changed.

With a recent update to Google Maps’ Terms of Service, organizations are now allowed to track emergency vehicles in real time. 

What’s now allowed vs what’s still prohibited

With its latest updates, Google Maps is drawing the line between high-risk routing and general asset management for emergency vehicle tracker applications.

Here’s what’s allowed now:
Google Maps allows users to track and manage the real-time location details of emergency service vehicles, including ambulances, fire trucks, and police cruisers. Service providers can use these vehicle locations on Google Maps for administrative, tracking, and logistical oversight. 

Here’s what’s still prohibited: 
Emergency service providers are prohibited from using Google Maps to actively route (or dispatch) vehicles in real-time emergencies. This is because an API-enabled delay can create a real life-and-death scenario.

What’s the big opportunity for fleet tech companies?

The latest Google Maps updates are a big opportunity for fleet companies, which have previously tried using this platform as their location-based application’s basemap but abandoned the idea due to compliance concerns.

By switching their UI tracking to Google Maps, service providers can deliver a gold standard in data mapping for the benefit of their customers. Some of the features enabled in Google Maps fleet tracking include rich visual detailing, accurate geocoding, and an easy-to-learn UI for their dispatchers and fleet managers.

How Onix can help you make the switch

When it comes to navigating Google Maps vehicle tracking, service providers may face a compliance minefield. This is where Onix can make a difference.

As a Google Maps premier partner, Onix has helped location-based service providers to migrate their basemaps to Google Maps with cost efficiency, minimum hassle, and without compliance violations. Here’s how Onix can elevate your services:

• License optimization: to ensure that your location tracking application is 100% compliant with the latest Google Terms of Service (ToS).
• Cost control: providing immediate access to OnSpend, Onix’s exclusive FinOps tool, to monitor and optimize your API spending, so that you don’t have any surprise bills.
• Architectural expertise: our geospatial engineers can help you integrate Google Maps as your basemap, while keeping your routing logic separate.

Have you stopped using Google Maps due to compliance concerns? We can help you build your location-based service using our customized geospatial solutions. Contact our geospatial team to know how.