Remote asset monitoring system

A vehicle monitoring system for monitoring a plurality of transit vehicles located within a defined area comprising:

• a transmitter on each of the plurality of transit vehicles for transmitting a plurality of vehicle signals, representing the status of vehicle and cargo, from each transit vehicle, said transmitter including means for generating said plurality of vehicle signals and autonomous means, which is operative absent any receiver on the vehicle, for spontaneously transmitting said plurality of vehicle signals on a cyclic basis over an extended time period;
• at least one receiver located within the defined area for receiving at least one vehicle signal from each transit vehicle, said at least one receiver including means for determining vehicle data for each transit vehicle based on said at least one vehicle signal and means for storing said vehicle data for said plurality of transit vehicles to form a group of vehicle data;
• and
• means for processing said group of vehicle data and developing a record of transit vehicle information for each transit vehicle in the defined area.