Omnitracs and ERoad, a transportation technology services company, have announced the completion of a newly updated Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Inspection Bulletin on U.S. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs).
Omnitracs, in partnership with ERoad, identified a need to revamp the current Inspection Bulletin on U.S. Electronic Logging Devices that was penned in 2017, concurrent with the implementation of the ELD Mandate. Inspection Bulletins are used by law enforcement to ensure consistency during inspections and determining regulatory violations, so the companies say this update by will alleviate common pain points around enforcement actions for both drivers and law enforcement officials.
The companies say the standardized data files from ELDs are transferred and decoded in the FMCSA’s eRODS system, and the format in which eRODS data is displayed has been difficult for law enforcement to interpret. Data displayed in eRODS sometimes produces issues and presents different results than on the ELD, which appear to be citable offenses. For example, when there are co-drivers or multiple drivers switching vehicles without powering off the vehicle, shipping documents or trailer numbers may not be captured on eRODS due to missing power-cycle events.
When improperly deciphered, the eRODS may display ELD data in a way that leads to invalid violations, longer inspections and stress for drivers and fleet managers, the companies say. The updated bulletin contains added clarification around the proper approach to interpreting data on eRODS, as well as recommendations for alternative methods for verifying mandatory data elements. The collaboration also provided more transparency around specific errors that may occur, for instance when reviewing odometer jumps, missing vehicle identification numbers, and miles driven, in addition to clarifying ELD exemptions as part of this effort, the companies say.
“There are cases where – for no fault of the driver, carrier or the inspector – the ELD data transferred to eRODS does not show the complete picture,” said Soona Lee, director of regulatory compliance at ERoad. “In supporting our drivers and customers with inspection DataQs, we’ve been able to identify the most common technical limitations an inspector may find with ELD data transferred to eRODS and provide guidance through this refreshed inspection bulletin.”
