The Role of ELD Mandates in the Transformation of the Trucking Industry

The ELD mandate has had a profound impact on the trucking business after it came into force. To enhance compliance with hours-of-service (HOS) and ensure safety on the roads, the ELD mandate has spurred widespread developments and transformations. This article discusses the consequences of ELD requirements for the trucking industry as a whole, and indicates the particular sectors of the economy where such practices have the desired effect.

Elaborating ELD Mandates

The ELD mandate, issued by FMCSA, came into force on the 1st January 2012, and it made it mandatory for electromotive furnishers of transporters to use ELD, which automatically registers the drive time of the CMV. Paper logs are now irrelevant, as these devices provide a much better service and are tougher to manipulate.

The ELD mandate will primarily be aiming at the following objectives:

• Ensuring compliance and thereby reducing the risk of drivers’ fatigue by adherence to HOS rules.
• Improving road safety by ensuring adherence to compliance.
• Reducing the administrative burden on drivers and fleet managers in terms of record-keeping.

ELD Impact on Driver Compliance

Most of the changes brought by ELDs, among them improvements of HOS rules, have complied with the requirements even more than they did prior the changes. Given that ELDs largely automate the logging procedure the chance of mistakes or blatant changes is lessened.

This also means limiting driver fatigue-related accidents and maximizing the number of drivers who can drive for a longer time.

Nonetheless, for several drivers, particularly those who were used to a bit more flexibility, that transition has not been so easy. It has required crossing a cultural barrier within the industry where operators and drivers have to recall that they are indeed being monitored in real time.

Operational Efficiency for Fleets

In addition, Fleet operators have gained a number of operational advantages in the purchase and use of ELDs. With tracking in use, companies can optimize their routing, fuel usage, and vehicle maintenance services. By pinpointing areas of inefficiency and over-congestion, an organization can improve its processes and save some money.

Such processes have many potential benefits which include,

• Enhanced dispatching efficiency.
• Less paperwork associated with the use of logs.
• Greater fleet capabilities as a result of a more evidence based approach to management.

Challenges for Small Operators

Financial and logistical issues limited smaller operators and owner meetings even as large fleets embraced ELD technology. The investment for the purchase and maintenance of these devices, plus the assistance needed for operating instructions was a turn off to some people in the sector.

In order to deal with these constraints, a lot of firms came up with practical strategies which included ELD devices designed for fleets with less size and reduced implementation frameworks.

The Role of Technology in Adapting to ELD Mandates

The ELD rule boost the use of technology in the trucking business.

In addition to regulatory concerns, ELDs have encouraged the development of innovations in telematics, GPS, and an increased(2.59)/enhanced(2.9)/promoted(2.61) focus on driver safety systems. This has paved way for a better integrated and more information-driven sector.

A few significant technological analogies with ELDs include:

• Cross-platform with other maintenance management systems( M.S) for consolidated information.
• Predictive models that use AI built into platforms to determine when maintenance will be necessary.
• More sophisticated AI driver monitoring systems to bolster safety.

The Future of ELD Mandates and the Trucking Industry ELD Mandate has empowered our and truck industry to increase levels of technology and safety standards. With changing times, the industry ought to evolve more with newer technologies that are aimed at improving efficiency and welfare of the driver.

In the future, it appears to be that, allowing more months for the unproductive side of the transformation, the productive side of the transition enables to increasing operational efficiency, better policy enforcement and safety allow to compensate the other costs. Innovation is in the core of the companies and business now.Trucking companies that are involved in these changes will have a strategic advantage to survive when the competition is high.

The ELD mandate is complying the industry through promoting safety, technology development and promising the industry to be accountable, while there are still challenge exist mostly on the smaller operators. However the industry needs time to overcome these challenges and in the end will be way more benefiting.

Regardless of whether you are a fleet or independent driver, ensuring compliance with new ELD requirement should be the centerpiece when operating a truck to compete within the changing transportation market.

Note: For more information, visit IRS website