ELDs are a crucial technology for fleet managers. They save time and money and ensure compliance across the business.
ELD solutions are FMCSA-approved and make it easy to stay compliant while increasing efficiency, safety, and profitability.
Learn what ELDs are, how they work, who needs them, and more.
Real-Time Data
Electronic logging devices allow truckers to track their progress and status without calling in to dispatch. It saves dispatchers time and stress while also increasing the accuracy of record-keeping. For delivery companies, this information can be used to manage fuel usage and improve maintenance plans for their fleet.
ELD solutions can also help trucking companies and drivers comply with hours of service regulations. It can reduce driver fatigue, minimizing accidents and ensuring the cargo’s safety.
Additionally, the GPS location data that ELD devices provide can be used to optimize routes and streamline the dispatch process. It can also save the company money on gas costs and vehicle maintenance by helping them find the most efficient routes for hauling cargo.
Safety
Fleet managers constantly search for ways to make their operations more efficient and profitable. A well-rounded telematics ELD solution helps them achieve this by eliminating paperwork and providing reliable hours-of-service data.
An ELD is a DOT-certified electronic hardware device that records different information related to vehicle use, including engine status, speed, location, and mileage. It is plugged into the onboard diagnostics port of freight vehicles. It transmits the collected information to a server around the clock, allowing truck drivers, compliance managers, and dispatchers to monitor operations from a mobile app or online dashboard.
In addition to saving time on paperwork, an ELD can help drivers and carriers reduce fuel usage and maintenance costs. The device is more accurate than traditional paper logbooks, allowing users to make more informed decisions based on actual performance data. The FMCSA estimates that a driver can save 19 hours yearly using an ELD instead of paper logbooks.
Compliance
The trucking industry is enormous, and with such a large amount of cargo moving through transit systems, drivers and fleet operators need to adhere to the regulations set by the FMCSA. To help with compliance, the agency implemented the ELD mandate.
ELDs are an electronic system that records driver duty status for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). They remove human error from logging HOS logs, helping to ensure all hours driven are recorded wholly and correctly. It improves CSA scores and leads to fewer driving violations.
ELDs send data to the back office in real time via cellular or Bluetooth. Some devices have additional features, such as trip navigation, that can improve efficiency for fleet owners. However, the higher technical specifications of an ELD device can also increase the upfront and monthly costs. Fortunately, many providers offer affordable solutions.
Efficiency
In addition to easing compliance, well-rounded ELD solutions can help truckers and fleet owners improve efficiency on the road. By analyzing data, these telematics tools can help identify inefficient routes and fuel usage to reduce costs for both truckers and carriers.
ELDs are DOT-certified electronic hardware that can be plugged into a vehicle to monitor driving hours, engine status, and location. These devices capture the freight driver’s activities and create status logs automatically to make it easy for dispatchers and drivers to check the information anytime.
Dispatchers and fleet managers can use this real-time data to ensure fleet compliance with HOS regulations, support the planning of schedules, and keep up with required inspections. They can also use it to coach drivers, minimize risky driving behavior, and lower fleet fuel costs. These benefits, and more, are why many trucking companies opt to install an ELD solution. These devices are essential to stay compliant, safe, and efficient on the road.