To get an idea for how fleets are implementing eDVIR solutions, Fleet Equipment (FE) caught up with Saia LTL Freight’s Vice President of Maintenance and Property, Cris Burgum, to dive into the details.
FE: How do you ensure that drivers physically walk around and check the truck as opposed to sitting in the cabs and filling out an electronic report?
Burgum: The expectation is certainly that drivers are completing an accurate eDVIR, which includes physically inspecting various parts of the truck. We determine the thoroughness of the driver’s eDVIR by either watching them perform inspections and reviewing inspection reports to determine if they are being done appropriately. Maintenance can determine whether or not these are being done well, too, when equipment is brought in for preventative maintenance. If there are a number of issues that need to be addressed during a PM, then it’s likely the drivers are not performing effective eDVIRs and thus operations is alerted. From time to time, we will also perform gate checks, which give us instantaneous feedback on the quality of a driver’s pre-check eDVIR.
RELATED: Dive into the data details of inspection reports
FE: How are mobile devices integrated into the solution? Are they used in the creation of the reports?
Burgum: No, the reports are completed electronically on our telematics devices fixed inside the cab of the truck. The drivers are expected to take notes as they walk around the truck and then input the information into these devices.
