A recent survey completed by a major trucking telematics company and a research service revealed that full 100% compliance with the ELD mandate is still a long way off. The research polled 194 trucking industry executives to better understand where we stand with ELD compliance today. They also wanted to determine if fleets are using the data gathered from their ELDs and, if so, how. Furthermore, are trucking fleets getting any kind of return on investment from ELD adoption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Survey Details<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of the companies surveyed had between 51 and 100\nvehicles. Another fifth had 101 to 200 and less than 50 vehicles. Nearly all\nthe fleets were running at least one Class 8 vehicle in their fleet. In what is\ngood news for the industry, a full three-fourths of the companies surveyed have\nimplemented an ELD solution that puts them in compliance with the mandate. Even\nmore invested in ELDs that were full featured and offered much more than simple\ntime tracking. Only 18% of the responders invested in a compliance-only device.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, that leaves one-fourth who stated that they have not\nyet implemented an ELD solution. While around 12% said they would do so by\nDecember of 2019, another 13% were not subject to the mandate. Obviously, more\nmust be done to ensure everyone complies, especially since the technology can\nbe so useful in other situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of the companies utilizing ELD technology, a whopping 88%\nsaid they were actively using the data they collected. Considering how valuable\nthat data is to an organization, this number is encouraging. For companies who\nwere not actively using the data their ELDs are collecting, they cited either\ntime or a lack of value as the reasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Obviously, most data being collected related to the Hours of\nService rule. But those who were gathering and using additional information,\nthey are focusing on vehicle location, mileage, fuel, status, idle and speed\ninformation. In a few cases the ELD is paired up with a comprehensive video or\nsensor system. Over half of the responders expect the safety and efficiency\nimprovements will result in more growth and a better ROI over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Considering the final deadline for adoption is December 16,\n2019, motor carriers don\u2019t have much time to get a solution spread across the\nfleet. The devices used must be self-certified and registered with the FMCSA.\nProbably the most alarming statistic of all was that 15% of those surveyed said\nthey do not know if they will have an ELD solution implemented by the December\ndeadline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately, most fleets have been doing their best to stay\nahead of the game. Of those who are currently in compliance with the mandate,\n62% implemented their solution way back in 2017. 23% implemented it in 2018 and\nonly 14% implemented it this year. Still, one of the reasons why some may have\nbeen holding out is to see if they could wait for a device that has more\nfeatures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Almost a fifth of responders stated the ELD they are using\nis an entry-level device. The fact that 80% chose to go with a solution that\nhas a lot of features shows promise. Fleet executives obviously understand\nthese solutions not only help them remain in compliance with the law, but they\nalso increase overall fleet safety and efficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As ELDs have evolved over the past few years, we have seen\nthem expand into areas beyond their mandate, such as monitoring unsafe truck\ndriver behavior or tracking fuel consumption. Fleets can even improve their\nutilization and monitor engine diagnostics. The best statistics in the survey\nwas whether fleets intended on using the data collected by their devices. A\nfull 88% said yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s how the data usage methodology broke down by fleet:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although some see the ELD as something that was forced upon them, with a small percentage saying they wish they didn\u2019t need it, many others see it to improve ROI. A large percentage of responders stated they expected to see big safety and efficiency gains. Over half said they expected to see 2019 ROI gains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The fact is, if they are implemented right, 100% of all\nfull-featured ELD solutions should generate ROI. Still, there were plenty of\nnegative comments regarding the ELD returned in the survey. Some said the only\nreason they had invested in an ELD solution was to avoid fines related to\nnon-compliance. Still others stated that the ELD they invested in did not work\nthe way it was advertised, or they received pushback from their truck drivers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Many Uses for an ELD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are plenty of trucking companies who recognize the\npotential that an ELD solution can bring to their organization. ELDs offer a\nwealth of different functions, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Companies that have gone beyond simple compliance into the\nrealm of a full-featured solutions are reaping the benefits. The problem is,\nmany don\u2019t know what to look for, or who to ask, when it comes to implementing\nan ELD solution. Fortunately, we\u2019ve got some tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What to Ask<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n While some businesses did only what was necessary to comply,\nothers are using their ELDs to improve truck driver behavior and increase their\noperational visibility. Yet, there are questions you should ask. Why? Because\nthe accuracy and reliability of your ELD plays a critical role in its\nimplementation. When you need to have consistent, detailed data on routes,\nactivities, and truck driver behavior, you should be able to rely on your ELD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are essentially two different options, either\nhard-wired in-cab device or a Bluetooth device. The problem with Bluetooth is\nthat it tends to be a bit unreliable. In fact, dropped wireless connections are\namong the highest-reported complaints among trucking companies who have adopted\nan ELD with Bluetooth technology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you do end up choosing an ELD that uses Bluetooth\ntechnology, figure out if the channel is dedicated between a Bluetooth dongle\nand in-cab device. Or is it a BYOD setup that will try to pair with other\nBluetooth devices? If you aren\u2019t connected to the ECM directly through the\nj-bus, then you need to be using a dongle, which will prevent dropped\nconnections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider that there are more than 300 ELDs on the market and\nnearly as many suppliers. With so many to choose from, it isn\u2019t a surprise that\nmany won\u2019t live up to their promise. Ask targeted questions to get to the\nbottom of an ELDs effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ideally, you want to go with an ELD that is both\nself-certified and third-party certified. You also want to make sure your truck\ndrivers don\u2019t end up out of service or non-compliant simply because they\nweren\u2019t able to properly utilize the exemptions function. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another critical factor are the regulations themselves. HOS\nregulations are ever-changing. Specific guidelines can be moved at the\ngovernment\u2019s whim. Therefore, you need a solution that will meet federal\nrequirements even when they change. Another thing to look for is whether your\npreferred ELD vendor participates in trucking trade associations or\nparticipates in FMCSA efforts to gather industry data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are plenty of extras you should look for as well. Does the ELD work with your fleet management system and is the accuracy of its data consistent? Can you monitor truck driver safety programs? Don\u2019t settle for second best just because you aren\u2019t sure if you can get the most out of it. And don\u2019t hesitate to ask for examples or case studies. Vendors should be asking for your business, not the other way around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet, the most important thing may be customer service. When\nyou are working with a device you are unfamiliar with, having someone within\neasy reach when you have a problem is critical. You can have all the features\nin the world, but if you need assistance and no one is there, you are up the\ncreek without a paddle. Do your due diligence and don\u2019t hesitate to ask\nquestions and research. You will be working with these devices for a long time.\nSo, make it count. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"