Electronic logging devices, commonly referred to as ELDs, have become a hot topic since its implementation by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) mandating their operation for Records of Duty Status (RODS) reports.
With the diversion of focus on ELDs, many fleet managers have queries about these devices, their functionality, and how to obtain and implement them.
A Detailed Breakdown Of ELDs
From the details mentioned below, you can grab on the basics of ELDs and some tips to choose the right one for your fleet.
- ELDs – Definition, and Purposes
An ELD is an electronic solution that enables professional truck drivers and commercial motor carriers to track Hours of Service (HOS) to be filled in RODS reports.
Fleets that require ELD
The FMCSA has enforced HOS regulations that you, as a fleet manager, need to follow if you own a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).
A CMV is any vehicle that deals in business related to interstate commerce and fits these descriptions –
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Designed or used for transporting sixteen or more passengers
- Transports hazardous materials that involve placards
Not complying with HOS regulations can lead to fines, penalties, and a tarnished reputation for your business.
- Details Logged In By ELDs
If your ELD meets all the minimum requirements the FMCSA has established for ELDs; then it must track –
1. Vehicle Locations at Checkpoints Throughout a Duty Shift
An ELD must log the following details on an automobile –
- When the engine started or turned off;
- Every time there is a change of duty status;
- At the start of personal use and yard moves
2. Idle Time/Prolonged Stops
If the vehicle is at a halt for five consecutive minutes and the driver has not answered to a system prompt for over a minute, then the ELD must log a default duty status of “on-duty not driving.”
This process can help log when a driver has stopped the vehicle for prolonged periods, such as when the driver is loading/unloading the cargo.
Frequent unscheduled stops could indicate a problem with the obedience of your driver to route or schedule.
3. Data Tampering
Any ELD rule-compliant device must track any alterations made to the data recorded by the ELD. ELDs must also log data inconsistencies that might show tampering with apparatus or information.
The entire implementation of ELDs can still intrigue you as you might have questions brewing up in your mind.
ELD And Asset Tracking
The FMCSA electronic logbook device rule instructs that the apparatus in the cabs of trucks that would replace paper logbooks must have GPS tracking equipped in them.
Therefore, you need a GPS tracking solution that complies with the ELD regulations to stay updated with the status and location of your fleet while in transit.
- Insightful Intelligence on your Fleet
You can empower your fleet with innovative technology, customizable features, and anytime visibility on your fleet without the hassle.
With ELD solutions equipped with GPS tracking, you can obtain an eagle-eye view of your entire operation with interactive maps, vehicle health and driver behavior monitoring, and the ability to locate the closest vehicles to a particular point.
- Meticulous and Interactive Maps
Rather than wondering where your fleet is, get a fleet tracking ELD tool and start tracking with detailed, dynamic interactive maps that come equipped with various telematics providers.
By using GPS tracking tools, you can monitor the whereabouts of your fleet and also maintain supervision of locations set as off-limits by you, including bars or adult entertainment facilities.
- Robust Reporting
You can streamline your fleet management and meet the day-to-day intelligence demands of your business with data-rich and customizable reporting tools.
Ranging from comprehensive reports on your entire fleet to individual driver scorecards, fleet management solutions equipped with GPS tracking can provide you with the numbers that need direct administration.
You can receive real-time temperature reports, monitor speed and safety reports for your drivers while driving, or learn details on miles driven per state to track fuel taxes.
- Asset and Vehicle Theft Protection
Safeguard your assets with 24/7 visibility, off-hours operation alerts, theft detection as-well-as unauthorized movement alerts.
Real-time fleet tracking also offers you the ability to protect your vehicles and valuable assets while being on the road. It is a reliable safety program for fleets.
Automobiles using GPS tracking systems experience swift theft recovery and minimal damage than those who do not avail fleet tracking ELD systems.
- Enhanced Customer Service
Every time you improve the function of your business, it immediately becomes visible to customers.
With efficient asset tracking, you can significantly improve customer service with on-time deliveries and negligible to no delays.
Asset tracking software enables you to keep a record of the assets of customers all the time with GPS and dashcam support to monitor your drivers and how close they are to the destination.
You can track the efficiency of your fleet via internal processes and discover opportunities for improving productivity and streamlining transit.
You can notify customers ahead of the delivery via an SMS or a phone call by keeping track of the movements of your fleet.
- Boost Productivity and Mitigate Labor Waste
An asset tracking application can track how many items are passing through your departments. With this data, you can calculate an asset’s life cycle.
If you tag your assets with RFID tags, you can scan them automatically as they move across various stages of the process.
Using an asset tracker frees your employees from routine tasks and have them focus on other expertise of your business that improves the core functionality of your operations.
- Better Maintenance Tracking
Managing your assets is paramount for the efficiency of distinct processes.
Advanced asset tracking software gives you the ability to set repeat alerts for efficient maintenance of the equipment employed in your business.
The software lets you set alerts based on your intelligence about an asset’s past usage or condition.
You can even integrate some asset tracking applications with ticketing software to let you know the person in charge of maintenance, expected completion date, and other factors.
Final Words
With implementing ELDs and asset tracking, fleets can take advantage of the insightful data produced on their fleet, about which they had no previous knowledge.
As companies seek to boost overall efficiency and safety, the data from ELDs or asset tracking solutions like telematics can help gain competitive leverage.
Data is a vital resource for digital transformation as you can manipulate it to optimize routes or reduce fuel intake facilitates companies to explore diverse ways to manage their fleet.