Proponents point out ELDs ‘generate greater visibility’

Shippers can leverage operational metrics from the mandatory devices, says Descartes Systems Group.    Although the implementation of the electronic logging device mandate sparked widespread compliance concerns and protests from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the visibility to operational metrics can be beneficial for shippers, according to Descartes Systems Group.
   “Unlike the dated track-and-trace method, which was labor intensive and prone to inaccuracies or inefficiencies, with ELDs and the data that carriers are now able to collect, therein lies an opportunity to generate greater visibility into where truckers are and are therefore able to plan better,” Brian Hodgson, vice president of transportation strategy for the logistics software company Descartes, told American Shipper in an interview. “This can reduce detention charges, overtime fees, charge-backs and save customers money by driving greater operational benefits overall.”
    The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) mandate for ELDs, which synchronize with vehicle engines to automatically record driving time, kicked into gear in the United States on Dec. 18, 2017, but drivers not in compliance could not be placed out of service until April 1. Additionally, compliant automatic onboard recording devices installed prior to Dec. 18, 2017, can continue to be used through Dec. 16, 2019.
   The FMCSA said the ELD mandate was “intended to help create a safer work environment for drivers and make it easier and faster to accurately track, manage and share records of duty status data.”
   However, the OOIDA has rallied against ELDs, saying the devices are costly for the trucking industry and don’t advance safety.
   Meanwhile, Canada is  working on implementing its own ELD mandate. On Dec. 16, 2017, Canada’s Department of Transport published a proposal to require the use of ELDs in the Canada Gazette, the official newspaper of the Canadian government. However, a final rule has not been released. 
   Canada’s proposed ELD mandate has garnered the support of Teamsters Canada, the Private Motor Truck of Canada and the Canadian Trucking Alliance. “The majority of carriers and drivers have and will always put safety first. However, ELDs will end the supply chain encouraging and turning a blind eye to companies and drivers breaking hours of service rules to meet shipment needs by falsifying paper log books,” the groups said in a joint statement in March. “As a result of ELDs, drivers and carriers will be more compliant with HOS regulations, contributing to reduced collisions and other negative activity associated with distracted driving.”
    The predictive estimated time of arrivals that ELDs provide allow better visibility into timelines because status updates can be programmed for every 15 minutes, said Hodgson of the Ontario, Canada-based Descartes.
   “Say a driver is expected to unload at 7:30 a.m., but based on traffic and weather is running behind and will now get there at 8:30 a.m. Before ELDs, there really wasn’t anything the shipper could do, and shippers would get caught paying workers extra hours to unload a shipment that wasn’t going to make it on time or waste docking slots that could have been used more efficiently,” he explained. “Now you can adjust or move the load to use workers more effectively and can automatically notify customers to give them that appreciated heads-up.
   “Through ELDs, shippers can also analyze the data to improve processes by examining their customers across the board to see which have the most detention delays and at what time of week or day to drill down and work with the customer as a valued partner to help strategically correct the issues and streamline supply chains,” Hodgson added.
   Descartes acquired GPS fleet tracking and mobile workforce management provider PinPoint in August. Descartes said PinPoint, which also is based in Ontario, enhances its ability to collect and leverage real-time information. PinPoint uses technology such as Geotab (telematics) and SkyBitz (trailer tracking) to help its customers collect real-time location information on trucks and drivers.
   “The electronic logging device mandate in the U.S. has increased adoption of telematics solutions in both the U.S. and Canada,” said Vince Arone, general manager of PinPoint and now vice president of mobile telematics solutions at Descartes.