According to a recent study conducted by MiX Telematics and Bobit Research Services on ELD compliance and use by U.S. trucking fleets, one in eight trucking fleets are not ELD compliant.

The survey was conducted in April; 194 individuals responded.

Key results include:

• Three-fourths of companies surveyed have already implemented an ELD solution in compliance with the ELD mandate. Among those who have implemented, four-fifths consider their ELD solution to be full-featured, offering compliance alongside many other features. The balance consider their ELDs to be entry-level, compliance-only tools.
• One-fourth of companies surveyed have not implemented an ELD solution. Among the 12% (1 in 8) who have not yet implemented, three-fourths plan to do so by December. The remaining 13% who have not implemented are not subject to the ELD mandate.
• Nearly all fleet professionals who were collecting data were using their ELD solution to collect HoS (Hours of Service) data. Fewer focused on data relating to vehicle location, vehicle mileage and vehicle speed statistics.
• When asked if they expected to achieve positive ROI on their ELD investments this year, 59% of those using full-featured ELDs said yes, while only 37% of those using entry-level tools said yes.

“We are encouraged that most fleets have implemented an ELD solution and many are using the data they are collecting for things other than HOS compliance,” said Adam Bruttell, vice president of sales and marketing of North America for MiX Telematics. “However, the fact that one in eight fleets are still not ELD compliant and many are not collecting and leveraging ELD data on aspects such as safe driving and fuel economy tells us there is still a lot of work to do. Improved driver safety and fuel economy are significant benefits of using ELDs.

“Done right, close to 100% of full-featured solutions should achieve ROI. The relatively low expectations seen in the survey demonstrate that fleets can and should do more to leverage the data they are collecting,” he continued. “That’s why MiX works closely with its customers to ensure they are getting the most out of their ELD investments.”

Previous research conducted by MiX Telematics has found that the ROI for a typical 100-vehicle fleet can be $134 per vehicle/per month after taking into account the ELD investment, the company says. The gains are from compliance, safety and efficiency (for instance, savings on fuel, maintenance, insurance, crash avoidance and fine avoidance).