ELD Solutions Bring Big Benefits Beyond Compliance

By Paul Miles, Trimble Field Service Management

It’s no secret that Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) fines are a very real part of managing a fleet of commercial vehicles. What is lesser known, however, is that according to the Department of Transportation (DOT) more than 40% of Hours of Service (HOS) violations result from inaccurate reporting of duty status.

As some companies dread the upcoming Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate, others are looking forward to implementing technology that will help reduce the number of reporting errors and potential fines. Whether you are already compliant or waiting for more direction, December 2017 is the FMCSA deadline for implementing an ELD solution, and there are many benefits to drivers and companies implementing an ELD solution beyond merely being compliant.

Safety

ELD devices record drivers’ hours of service electronically and automatically. Through a connection to the vehicle bus, the ELD can automatically detect when a driver begins and ends a trip, including time spent taking breaks. All of the information collected is transmitted in or near real-time to a cloud-based back office system for accessibility by dispatchers and fleet managers.