ELDs are a critical piece of technology for any truck fleet. They improve driver safety, enforce more vital compliance with Hours of Service regulations, and streamline engine fault reporting.
An ELD is a hardware that tracks vehicle movement, location, driving hours, and miles. It then records and transmits that data to truck drivers and fleet managers via a mobile app.
Safety
The ELD mandate set by the FMCSA requires most trucking companies and drivers to install an electronic logging device, which automatically tracks and records driving hours, vehicle location, and other information. This simplifies record keeping and improves driver safety, reducing fatigue and improving fleet efficiency.
Additionally, the robust reporting provided by electronic logging devices enables fleet managers to identify areas for cost savings and efficiency improvements. For example, drivers or vehicles can track idling time and harsh driving events, allowing fleets to coach drivers to drive more efficiently, save fuel costs, and prevent theft.
While there are many benefits to using ELD devices, they are not without challenges. They can be expensive to purchase and install, and some truck drivers may find real-time tracking and GPS technology invasive or violate their privacy. For these reasons, it’s essential to research before purchasing an ELD to ensure it meets your business needs.
Real-Time Data
Fleet vehicles equipped with ELDs automatically record various data and send it to the fleet management system via a cellular connection or Bluetooth. This data includes engine fault reporting, location information (including unauthorized areas), and more. Fleets that use ELDs in their trucks gain a competitive advantage by providing more reliable service to customers. This is especially true for less-than-truckload and passenger transit fleets, which can share live ETAs with customers, increasing customer satisfaction.
Fleet telematics systems also improve productivity and safety by eliminating time-consuming paperwork and helping drivers adhere to FMCSA guidelines. For example, according to the FMCSA, ELDs can save truck drivers 19 hours yearly by removing the need to keep paper logs of their driving time. They can reduce fuel consumption, cut maintenance costs, and improve route optimization with real-time data insights.
Compliance
Fleet operators must comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Hours of Service rules to keep their drivers safe, improve fleet productivity, and boost vehicle longevity. ELDs automatically record HOS and driver status and enable robust reporting that keeps fleet managers in compliance.
Many carriers choose a complete ELD solution with a device with a preloaded mobile app or a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) solution with a smartphone or tablet they already own and can install. ELD solutions must meet FMCSA technical specifications and be certified and registered.
While there are various options, choosing an ELD provider that offers a simple setup and flexible installation process is essential. Choosing the right device can save time and money and ensure your fleet’s compliance with the FMCSA’s ELD mandate. Integrated data also speeds up work processes like payroll and maintenance to make operations run more efficiently.
Efficiency
ELDs automate tedious paperwork and streamline information gathering, which makes fleet management faster, more efficient, and more effective. Rather than manually reviewing and communicating with drivers to determine their status, for example, when they’re over their driving hours or not taking breaks as required, fleet managers can use automatic data entry to identify the driver and take appropriate action quickly.
Integrated data also eliminates doubt and confusion about hours worked or falsified records, which helps reduce wasted time and costs from rework, mistakes, and litigation. Additionally, sharing real-time vehicle and driver locations provides a competitive advantage, whether for less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers sharing live ETAs with brokers or passenger transit fleets providing live ETAs to their customers.
