ELD Trucking: What You Need to Know

Omnitracs, the pioneer in telematics, has remained a leader in the transportation technology industry for more than 30 years by prioritizing accuracy and reliability through our industry-leading lineup of safety, compliance, and productivity software solutions. This is core to our DNA, and we know it is core to our customers.

In fact, in a recent survey of professionals across the transportation industry, accuracy and reliability were cited as the two most important attributes to consider in selecting an ELD partner — and were the two attributes where the industry rated Omnitracs highest. Let’s take a look at some of the tools you need for successful fleet management.

There are several tools that can be beneficial for professional trucking fleets to improve their operations and increase efficiency. Here are some of the best trucking tools:

• Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): ELDs help trucking companies comply with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations by automatically tracking drivers’ hours and duty status. They also provide real-time data on driver activity and vehicle performance.
• Fleet Management Software: Fleet management software can help trucking companies monitor vehicle and driver performance, plan routes, manage maintenance schedules, and track expenses. It can also provide real-time visibility of the entire fleet.
• GPS Tracking: GPS tracking technology allows trucking companies to monitor their vehicles’ location and track progress on delivery routes. It can also help improve safety and security by allowing companies to quickly locate stolen or lost vehicles.
• Mobile Apps: Mobile apps can be used by drivers to access important information such as load details, route planning, and weather updates. They can also be used to communicate with dispatchers and receive real-time updates on delivery schedules.
• Telematics: Telematics systems can monitor a wide range of vehicle data, including speed, fuel consumption, and engine diagnostics. This data can be used to optimize vehicle performance and reduce fuel costs.

By leveraging these tools, trucking companies can improve their operations, increase efficiency, and reduce costs.

Electronic logging devices are essential for your fleet. However, not all ELD providers adhere to the ELD development technical standards mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In some cases, ELD providers allow for prohibited editing of records or fail to identify systematically a driver’s attempt to tamper with the ELD, allowing drivers to falsify their logs. In other places, vendors have taken unnecessary risks in where and how to record data elements necessary for compliant driver logs.

For example, some vendors have built solutions that require the logs to be recorded outside of the cab and in a cloud service, which means if the vehicle is in an area without a cell connection, the driver’s logs may not be accurate in the cab. In contrast, Omnitracs solutions are built from the ground up to ensure that logs are accurate on the truck, regardless of connectivity.

Not only do we strictly adhere to the technical standards that have been put in place to ensure compliance, but Omnitracs also participated actively in developing these standards with the FMCSA and more recently with Transport Canada as they created the Canadian ELD rule. The FMCSA and Transport Canada rules are in place to keep our roads safer and, ultimately, to save lives.

If you’d like to learn more about ELDs, compliance, or professional trucking tools, explore our site or get in touch.