New Project Begins: I'm Building a Real-Time Lorry Tracking System

The Problem on Site

On a busy production site in London, lorries arrive continuously to collect finished goods. Once a lorry checks in, it moves through several stages on site — waiting, loading, and eventually checking out.

Despite how critical this process is, there was no reliable system in place to track lorries after check-in.

At the same time, it’s essential to closely monitor each collection — where a lorry is on site, what stage of loading it’s at, and how long it has been there — due to limited space and tight turnaround times.

Handwritten Notes and Constant Interruptions

Right now, status updates are handwritten (if they’re recorded at all). On such a fast-paced site, these updates are often missed, incomplete, or outdated.

As a result, supervisors and managers frequently have to interrupt staff via radio, mobile phone, or face-to-face just to get verbal updates on where things stand.

Why This Becomes a Bigger Issue

Without a reliable tracking system, it’s difficult to monitor loading times, spot delays, or consistently ensure compliance with the required two-hour turnaround window.

There’s no clear visibility, no accurate timestamps, and no dependable historical data. Decisions are often made based on assumptions rather than facts.

What I’m Building

I’m building a full-stack web application that provides real-time visibility by tracking each vehicle from check-in through loading to check-out.

Every status change is logged with clear timestamps and accountability, supported by role-based access so that staff, supervisors, and managers each see what they need.

The system also includes alerts when loading time is approaching the maximum allowed window, along with statistics, reports, and operational metrics.

More Than Just an App

The goal isn’t just to build an app. It’s about reducing interruptions and manual guesswork, improving transparency, and creating reliable data for better operational decision-making.

This project reflects the kind of problems I enjoy working on most — real-world systems with practical constraints that require thoughtful solutions.

What’s Next

The project is currently under active development. I’ll be sharing progress, design decisions, and lessons learned as it evolves.

Feedback and insights are always welcome.