Even more ELD buying advice

Even more ELD buying advice

Orbcomm-ELD-Device-Spanish
Sometimes looking at data can feel like reading a foreign language. Don’t worry, this one is supposed to be in Spanish.

Our top technology sources provided far more ELD buying advice ahead of the Dec. 16 full compliance date, which means that AOBRD are no longer a compliant ELD mandate device. Check out even more tips for ELD buying below and then head over to our first round of ELD buying advice by clicking here.

There is massive value in the data

ELDs aren’t just logging hours. Many devices are also fully capable telematics systems that you can leverage to boost your efficiency and productivity. Transflo, for example, collects engine data, GPS data, accelerometer data, and even more data points that go beyond ELD compliance, and then turn ROI-boosting solutions back over to you, the fleet.

“These large datasets are vital in providing the best data services to our customers, allowing them to improve operations and performance across a fleet,” said Douglas Schrier, Transflo vice president of product and innovation. “Driver performance management, accident reconstruction, preventive maintenance, etc., all have large impacts on operational costs.”

The devil in the ELD details

“Fleets switching from AOBRDs to ELDs report missing the flexibility they had to change the speed/time/threshold setting for drive-line status,” said Scott Stofer, director of product management for Orbcomm. “In addition, the restrictions imposed by the mandate on the editing of Automatic Drive times means drivers can no longer edit the drive time if they accidently exceed the 5 mph threshold or if they forget to log out of the ELD and the next driver drives on their logs.

“Our suggestion is to move the AOBRD threshold down to 5 mph in advance of the ELD conversion and start the training and the policies to re-enforce properly logging in and out of the vehicle. This will allow fleets to review operational impacts before the forced implementation and will give your operation time to adjust accordingly and train drivers fully.”

Tackling ELD technology’s six challenges

Stofer detailed the most common driver-facing challenges and potential solutions to put in place:

• Rule sets: Drivers need to be able to communicate basic data about the ELD, the carrier, license, rulesets and exemptions if applicable.

• Log edits: Ensure your drivers know how to access logs, add and edit events, add remarks and certify your logs. Drivers also need to see where to review, accept or reject suggested edits by carrier administrators. The driver has a greater responsibility in the maintenance of logs then they did with an AOBRD.

• Unassigned driving: Drivers will see unidentified driving events on login. They need to be able to find them on the ELD and accept or reject them. Administrators need to have policies and procedures in place to ensure the driver is logging in correctly and that they are monitoring and managing unidentified driving in a timely manner.

• Roadside inspections: Drivers need to be able to show compliance officers how to inspect their RODS records including graph grids, events and unidentified driving, and to be able to transfer RODS data by web services or email.

• Yard Moves: Carriers need to implement and outline in advance the company policy around the use of Yard Moves. You will need to let drivers know if, where and in what circumstances they are eligible to use this status.

• Personal conveyance: Carriers need to implement and outline their personal conveyance policy to drivers, defining and demonstrating examples of what is permissible as personal conveyance and what is not.

• Malfunctions: Managers should ensure drivers know to recognize a diagnostic event, distinguish events from malfunctions, and how to report malfunctions within 24 hours to the carrier. Drivers will also need to keep paper logs. If drivers are unable to retrieve logs from the previous seven days from the ELD, they will need to recreate their RODS on paper for the current 24-hour period and the last seven days.

If you missed it, here’s our first round of ELD buying advice:

You May Also Like

Synop, Geotab announce EV charging integration solution

This integrated solution will combine Synop’s software with Geotab’s data insights.

Synop, an electric vehicle operations platform, and Geotab have announced a partnership that will give fleet operators in North America access to integrated EV charging and energy management within Geotab’s software platform, MyGeotab.

Commercial fleets, which include maintenance vehicles, delivery vans, semi-trucks, rental cars, government vehicles and school buses, face many obstacles when integrating EVs, including energy price volatility, multiple charging requirements, and prolonged charge cycles. According to the companies, integrating Synop’s software with Geotab’s data insights allows customers to manage their EV assets in real-time on a single, unified platform.

Michelin Connected Fleet delivers new suite of fleet-management solutions

Michelin has officially launched the Michelin Connected Fleet brand in North America, bringing an all-new portfolio of fleet-management solutions to the commercial trucking industry that combines connected-vehicle technology with performance analysis and services. Michelin Connected Fleet,  powered by NexTraq LLC, offers solutions for truck management, trailer management, ELDs and driver safety, plus smart report services

Michelin-Connected-Fleet-1400
Explaining the truck operating system that’s spanning makes, models

Platform Science’s Virtual Vehicle aims to be the operating system of the trucking industry.

Kodiak Robotics announces new COO

Kodiak Robotics appoints former USA Truck CEO James Reed as COO.

The importance of flexibility in truck maintenance, ADAS in truck winterization plans

Winterization requires fleets to consider advanced technology, including ADAS for safe driving.

Other Posts

Geotab, Cummins partner to enhance OTA connectivity

The Cummins connected software updates will be available within select Geotab devices and compatible engines.

Kenworth, Platform Science partner on virtual vehicle solution

Kenworth and Platform Science join forces to optimize fleet operations with integrated trucks and telematics.

Geotab announces Data Connector for business insights

Geotab says this tool enhances data analysis and automated reporting capabilities.

FMCSA removes Nationwide ELD from registered ELD list

Motor carriers who continue using the revoked device after April 4, 2023, could be placed out-of-service until corrected.