tracked

Tracked is the past participle of track and an adjective used in several domains. In everyday language, to track is to follow the course or progress of a person, animal, process, or object; something that has been tracked or is capable of tracking may be described as tracked.

In transportation and heavy equipment, tracked refers to propulsion by continuous tracks rather than wheels. A track is a belt of linked segments that loop around wheels at the front and rear. Tracks distribute weight over a larger area, reducing ground pressure and improving flotation on soft, uneven, or loose surfaces. They provide stability and traction in conditions such as mud, snow, and sand. Equipment that is typically tracked includes tanks (military), excavators, bulldozers, and snow machines. Drawbacks include higher rolling resistance on hard pavement, slower speeds, higher maintenance, and greater susceptibility to damage from obstacles and debris.

In data, logistics, and software, tracked describes systems designed to monitor, log, or follow events. Tracking systems record the movement or status of shipments, assets, or users, often using identifiers and timestamps. Tracked data is used for analytics, inventory control, route optimization, and security. The term also appears in wildlife and forensic contexts, where investigators or researchers track animals or suspects to determine routes and behavior.