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Navigating the Impacts of the ELD Mandate on the Trucking Industry

Posted on March 9, 2023 | by Alexis | Leave a Comment

The implementation of the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate has brought significant changes to the trucking industry. This article explores the impacts of the ELD Mandate, focusing on its implementation in the United States. Additionally, it compares the ELD regulations between the United States and Canada, highlighting differences in hours of service (HOS) regulations, technical specifications, device certification, and data transfer requirements.

Furthermore, it delves into the compliance and enforcement procedures established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in the United States, along with the penalties for non-compliance.

Overview of the ELD Mandate Rollout in the United States:

The ELD Mandate, introduced by the FMCSA, requires commercial motor vehicle operators to use electronic logging devices to track and record their hours of service. This section provides an overview of the ELD Mandate’s implementation process, including key milestones and the timeline for compliance.

Comparison of Canadian and American ELD Mandate Regulations:

While the United States and Canada share similarities in their trucking industries, there are notable differences in their ELD regulations. This section explores the variations between the two countries, focusing on HOS regulations, technical specifications, device certification, and data transfer and storage requirements. By understanding these distinctions, trucking companies can navigate cross-border operations more effectively.

Differences in Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations:

The ELD Mandate has specific rules regarding drivers’ working hours and rest periods. This subsection highlights the differences in HOS regulations between the United States and Canada, such as maximum driving hours, mandatory break periods, and off-duty requirements.

Variations in Technical Specifications and Device Certification:

ELDs need to meet certain technical specifications and be certified for compliance. This subsection examines the divergences in technical requirements and certification processes for ELDs in the United States and Canada, considering factors like data accuracy, synchronization, and device compatibility.

Distinct Data Transfer and Storage Requirements:

The transfer and storage of electronic logs are crucial aspects of the ELD Mandate. This subsection explores the contrasting data transfer methods and storage requirements in the United States and Canada. It discusses the accepted formats for data transfer, retention periods, and accessibility for authorized personnel.

ELD Mandate Compliance and Enforcement Procedures in the United States:

Ensuring compliance with the ELD Mandate is essential for trucking companies operating in the United States. This section outlines the guidelines established by the FMCSA to ensure adherence to ELD regulations and mitigate non-compliance risks.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Guidelines:

The FMCSA has provided guidelines and resources to assist motor carriers and drivers in complying with the ELD Mandate. This subsection highlights the key guidelines and recommendations, including the proper use of ELDs, training requirements, and recordkeeping obligations.

ELD Mandate Penalties for Non-compliance:

Non-compliance with the ELD Mandate can result in penalties and sanctions. This subsection explores the potential consequences of non-compliance, such as fines, out-of-service orders, and negative safety ratings. It also discusses strategies to avoid penalties and maintain compliance.

The ELD Mandate has significantly impacted the trucking industry, particularly in the United States. By understanding the ELD regulations, differences between the United States and Canada, and compliance and enforcement procedures, trucking companies can adapt to the changes effectively, ensure regulatory compliance, and optimize their operations in an increasingly digitized environment.

Exemptions, Benefits, and Impacts on the Trucking Industry

The ELD Mandate has reshaped the trucking industry by introducing electronic logging devices (ELDs) to track and record hours of service (HOS). This article explores two key aspects of the ELD Mandate: exemptions and exceptions to the mandate, and the benefits it brings to the industry. Additionally, it examines the profound impacts of the ELD Mandate, ranging from improved road safety and enhanced driver health to streamlined operations and increased productivity.

I. Exemptions and Exceptions to the Mandate:

While the ELD Mandate applies to most commercial motor vehicle operators, there are specific exemptions and exceptions that warrant consideration. This section delves into the various categories of exemptions and exceptions, providing insights into situations where certain vehicles or drivers may be exempt from using ELDs.

A. Exemptions:

Short-haul Exemption: This subsection explores the exemption for drivers operating within a 150 air-mile radius and who meet specific criteria regarding duration and frequency of their operations.
Driveaway-Towaway Exemption: This subsection explains the exemption for drivers involved in the transport of vehicles where the truck being driven is the commodity being delivered.
Pre-2000 Model Year Exemption: This subsection discusses the exemption for commercial motor vehicles with engine model years predating 2000.

B. Exceptions:

Personal Conveyance Exception: This subsection delves into the personal conveyance exception, which allows drivers to operate their commercial vehicles for personal purposes without it counting against their HOS limits.
Yard Move Exception: This subsection explores the yard move exception, which permits drivers to move their vehicles on private property for short distances without switching to on-duty status.

II. Benefits of the ELD Mandate:

The ELD Mandate brings forth a range of benefits for the trucking industry, positively impacting various aspects. This section highlights the advantages that arise from the implementation of ELDs.

A. Improved Road Safety and Reduced Accidents:

By accurately tracking and monitoring HOS, ELDs contribute to enhanced road safety. This subsection explores how ELDs help prevent driver fatigue, reduce instances of HOS violations, and improve compliance with road safety regulations.

B. Enhanced Driver Health and Well-being:

ELDs play a crucial role in promoting the health and well-being of drivers. This subsection discusses how ELDs contribute to better work-life balance, more predictable schedules, reduced stress, and improved overall driver health.

C. Streamlined Operations and Increased Productivity:

The implementation of ELDs leads to streamlined operations and increased productivity for trucking companies. This subsection explores how ELDs facilitate efficient dispatching, accurate tracking of vehicle locations, automated recordkeeping, and improved communication between drivers and fleet managers.

The ELD Mandate has transformed the trucking industry, bringing exemptions and exceptions to accommodate specific scenarios. Additionally, it offers numerous benefits, including improved road safety, enhanced driver health and well-being, and streamlined operations leading to increased productivity. By understanding these exemptions, exceptions, and benefits, trucking companies can navigate the ELD Mandate effectively, capitalize on its advantages, and foster a safer and more efficient industry landscape.

beginners guide, eld, electronic logging device, gofleet, mandate, trucking, hos, compliance

A Beginner’s Guide To Electronic Logging Devices And Current ELD Mandates

Posted on September 30, 2021 | by Victoria Gole | Leave a Comment

Back before the days of automation, truck drivers had to manually log their trips. Even after countless hours on the road, drivers were still responsible for tracking their movements, often spending additional hours accounting for every stop and start. Fortunately, the advent of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) removed that labor-intensive step by digitally automating the logging process.

Over the past four years, governments in the U.S. and Canada enacted ELD mandates for most commercial vehicles. Transport Canada has been working diligently to align with the ELD Mandate passed in the United States, which states that providers must obtain certification from a third-party to ensure their solutions meet the complex technical standards set forth by Transport Canada.

Fortunately, the jump to electronic logging has made issues of compliance far easier. GoFleet’s electronic logs capture all necessary logging information automatically, allowing drivers to record on-duty hours with great detail and freeing them up to focus on the road..

In this post, we’ll cover some of the many advantages of using ELDs; we’ll simplify how they work, what they record, and identify the key dates to comply with the current ELD mandates.

What Is an ELD?

Electronic logging devices often plug into a vehicle’s onboard diagnostics (OBD) port. The ELD vehicle tracker then connects directly to the truck’s engine, sending data safely through mobile apps and GoFleet’s software and fleet management platform.

These telematics devices can send granular engine data — when it was turned on or off, how much fuel was used, how far the vehicle travels — along with GPS global satellite system location data. The telematics are collected and then sent securely to a server, for easy ELD mobile app viewing.

Drivers can likewise access their electronic logging information on their smartphones or tablets using our ELD mobile app. RODS and HOS records can be displayed for vehicle inspectors. This technology streamlines the capture and retrieval of massive amounts of records and receipts.

Types of Logging Data Captured

ELDs help fleet compliance managers monitor and analyze safety protocols. GoFleet’s data captures translate into real-time ELD reports showing location information, maps and a wide range of notifications. Data logging captures include:

Automatic recording of on-duty driving time, driving behaviour and driver authentication
ELDs communicate directly with the engine control module for internal synchronization
On-board gyroscope and accelerometer detect movement, providing data around safety-related events such as harsh braking or collisions
Automatically records locations, date and time stamps, engine hours, ignition status, vehicle miles driven, motor carrier type and more
Provides driver recertification records at the end of every 24-hr period
ELDs offer tamper prevention, sending out real-time vehicle location information
ELDs also transmit data—constantly to fleet command managers, and locally, on an individual basis, to DOT and other commercial vehicle inspection sites
Displays reports on-demand (on screen or print-outs) for safety officials

The Advantages of ELDs

Smart technology has revolutionized most industries, and its effects on commercial vehicles is no exception. ELDs offer enormous advantages for drivers and their parent companies. Among the most frequently cited:

1. Road Safety

Most ELDs have a gyroscope and accelerometer, which detect trigger events such as harsh braking, harsh turning and collisions. The resulting data can be used to coach drivers on safe driving, alert to driver drowsiness and even provide collision reconstruction data, which can be used to exonerate drivers from false claims. Electronic logs for truckers have become so effective that governments are mandating their use to improve driver safety, increase vehicle efficiency and save lives.

2. Streamlining Record Keeping

Record keeping and reporting is an important — if not tedious — part of any fleet’s operations. ELDs help commercial fleets simplify the process, automating the collection of Records of Duty Status (RODS), tabulating drivers’ Hours of Service (HOS) for compliance, and enabling robust reporting while simplifying administrative tasks.

Automated tracking minimizes the risk of records errors, which ultimately makes the process of enforcement checks faster. Using GoFleet’s integrated software platform, ELDs can also provide dashboard reports and internal checks on each vehicle’s integrity, with alerts for scheduled servicing dates to avoid problems before they start.

3. Asset Security

The security and loss prevention provided by ELD solutions includes real-time GPS satellite data, encrypted from end to end. Vehicles can be located easily in the event of theft, and in many cases theft can be prevented altogether.

The geofencing feature on ELDs creates a virtual boundary around a given location, and sends an alert any time a vehicle breaches the boundary, minimizing loss and reducing the cost of replacing assets. Real-time data captures everything from micro data on drive-chain stability to macro data on driver behavior and HOS, granting your fleet command-centre visibility.

4. Cost Benefits & ROI

By streamlining and upgrading the record-keeping process, your fleet can travel faster and smarter. Moreover, fleet managers can more easily identify areas for efficiency and cost savings. This is especially true with route mapping and capturing idling time, both of which dramatically reduce fuel costs.

In the event of a collision, forensic accident reconstruction and recording of harsh driving events help minimize liability and reduce insurance premiums while also serving as an opportunity to effectively coach your drivers on better driving habits.

5. HOS Compliance

The Hours of Service (HOS) Rules ensure that commercial drivers operate their vehicles within the daily limit and log working hours accurately using an elog app or electronic logbook. Because ELDs connect directly to the vehicle, they make it easier and faster to track, manage, share and improve the accuracy of a driver’s hours of service record.

The devices ensure drivers comply with the Canadian Government’s Commercial Vehicle Drivers HOS Regulations by tracking when drivers have been at the wheel and for how long.

In this light, ELDs will make it easier for drivers and motor carriers to comply with the regulations by staying within legally allowed driving hours.

Recent ELD Mandates: Who Needs ELDs?

Deadlines loom for recent inter-country ELD mandates, making it likely that all North American commercial vehicles will have to adapt to this technology soon. At present, only commercial vehicles older than model year 2000 are still exempt. Some highlights on the mandates:

Canada’s ELD Mandates & Key Dates

Canada recently published its Regulations on Commercial Vehicles, which require Electronic Logging Devices for all commercial fleets by June 12, 2022.

Canada’s move to ELD reporting began in 2017. By June 13, 2019, Transport Canada had begun mandating ELDs for bus operators and commercial trucks. By June of 2022, Canada is expecting all fleets to have switched from daily paper logs to ELDs. Other regulatory mandates include:

Canadian ELDs must meet Electronic Logging Devices standards and minimum requirements.
Canadian ELDs must be third-party certified, not self-certified by the manufacturer, as in the U.S.
Canadian drivers will not transfer logs electronically to a federal system, like eRODS in the U.S. Instead, drivers will be required to email transfer files to officers.
There will no longer be a two-year phase-out period for ERDs; fleets must achieve ELD compliance by the 2022 date.

Canadian ELD Exemptions

Canada offers four main exemptions in their recently updated ELD regulations. Commercial vehicles may be exempt from the eLogs mandate if they meet the following criteria:

Operate the vehicle under a specifically issued permit
Are subject to rental agreements with terms under 30 days
Have a prior statutory exemption
Operate a vehicle that was manufactured before model year 2000

Canadian drivers of commercial motor vehicles manufactured before 2000 can continue to keep paper logs to track driving time and on-duty hours records.

U.S.A.’s ELD Mandates & Exemptions

ELDs are currently required of all fleet industries in the U.S. whenever any one driver logs in eight days worth of duty status logs or more (out of 30 days). The U.S. ELD mandates went into effect back in December 2017, with an expectation of full compliance by December 2019. The FMCSA will allow exemptions for drivers who:

Are not required to keep Record of Duty Status (RODS)
Drivers who use RODS for no more than eight days during any 30-day period
Tow-away drivers, if the vehicle driven was part of a shipment
Drivers of commercial vehicles older than model year 2000

The FMCSA also recommends consulting their site to verify how your fleet is affected by the ELD trucking rules changes.

Meeting ELD Requirements

There are many similarities between the American and Canadian ELD mandates. Both require engine synchronization, GPS tracking, automatically capturing on-duty and off drive-time, and the use of an on-screen display to show records to roadside inspectors.

There are also some major differences between the two nations; Canadian mandates will require the ELD system to actively alert drivers when they are running close to their hours of service limits. The hours of service rules in Canada are also quite different from the U.S.

As a fleet manager, it’s important to stay detail-oriented. For trucks travelling within Canada, fleet managers should choose an ELD vendor and carrier that supports Canadian hours of service rules, and are committed to achieving third-party certification.

GoFleet to Get the Details

As everyone works towards full compliance, we at GoFleet are tracking recent electronic logbook changes to stay apprised of any developments or changes. Our ELD solutions provide industry-leading insights, while our electronic logs for truckers help simplify record keeping, providing commercial fleets peace of mind.

As technology and connectivity become ever more integrated, it’s important to choose your solutions wisely. Ask us about our Geotab Drive ELD, an FMCSA compliant app for mobile devices that provides Driver Vehicle Inspection Reporting (DVIR) and Hours of Service compliance solutions, in real-time.

All of our integrated ELD solutions save you time and money. Contact us to schedule a free consultation or trial demonstration to see how your fleet will be affected. Our experts can help you strategize and streamline.

The GoFleet Difference: Working With The Best

Posted on May 27, 2021 | by Alexis | Leave a Comment

If you’re ready to purchase a telematics solution for your fleet, you’re likely looking for a system that offers the following:

A digital operations system that streamlines your work processes and allows for ease of management.
Compliance with government mandates (now and future state).
Opportunities to save money and optimize resources.

When it comes to electronic logging devices (ELDs) for your fleet, you have a wealth of resources to choose from. But what sets one product offering apart from the pack? How do you know if a telematics system can accommodate the size of your organization? Will the system you choose comply with the upcoming Canadian ELD Mandate?

We’ve curated the most important information you need to make an informed purchasing decision. Read below to see why GoFleet can offer you the most comprehensive, integrated data solution for your fleet, while saving you money in the short and long run.

Asset Tracking

Did you know that some telematics providers don’t offer asset tracking, but rather offer it via third-party applications? GoFleet has several asset trackers with a host of different functionalities. Having a proprietary software platform not only helps you track your fleet, it allows you to streamline your operations more effectively and efficiently, including maintenance operations, scheduling, purchasing, accounting, custom reporting and so much more.

Easy To Use, Easy To Save

Our proprietary ZenduCAM offerings take the stress out of fleet management with a simple “plug and play” feature; no hardwiring. Install the devices yourself without damaging your vehicles or voiding your warranty! Fleet tracking devices can also be moved from one vehicle to another without risk of damaging either, and a Y-Harness ensures your devices are tamper-proof.

GPS Tracking In Real-Time

GoFleet’s GPS technology starts when the vehicle does – even if it’s parked underground! We offer standard tracking at 15-second intervals, or our new active tracking, which takes place on a second-by-second basis. What does this mean for your fleet? Up-to-date, accurate data that identifies ignition, trip distance, speed, time spent on the road, and even engine idling.

Scalable Offerings

We pride ourselves on our partnership approach to fleet maintenance. For the past 8 years, GoFleet has provided end-to-end telematics solutions for companies of all sizes, including small-to-medium fleets and enterprise organizations. Our telematics grow with your business; because of our hardware and software options, our clients can drive employee productivity, maintenance, fuel and inventory, while significantly reducing accidents and improving safety.

Improve Driving Habits

Every driver develops bad habits over time. In fact, driver behavior impacts over 30% of fuel costs and 90% of vehicle accidents! GoFleet’s vehicle tracking system allows you to give in-vehicle alerts and feedback, as well as safety reporting. Both options allow your drivers to identify and correct risky behavior on the road, which saves costs in damages and repair, while lowering your insurance company’s risk tolerance for your fleet. Better driving improves your bottom line.

Ensure Your Fleet Is Compliant

With the upcoming Canadian ELD Mandate, managers can’t afford not to be compliant; failure to do so will result in fines, loss of licenses or even being stripped of operating authority. Making sure your drivers are safe and maintaining high compliance standards are not only your priorities — they’re ours as well.

Asad Khan, Team Lead for Customer Success, says that GoFleet can determine and solution for compliance based on the size and structure of the organization. “Part of what sets us apart is our ability to develop solutions based on customer requirements. I would say we’re more of a boutique firm, because we actually have the capability to go into other markets,” says Khan. “One of the primary focuses for us is going into the government space. When you’re working with government contracts, there is a lot of compliance reporting, which we can offer as a digital solution.” By partnering with vendors such as GeoTab, GoFleet is well equipped to tap into government vehicles.

Our GPS fleet management solutions offer compliance options such as DVIR, HOS & IFTA. Hours of Service (HOS) regulations keep tired drivers off the road by establishing limits on when a driver can operate the vehicle, and for how long. As regulations are augmented, various rulesets can be added or removed, such as “Driver Duty Status”, which changes automatically once your driver begins to drive.

Reduce Paperwork

Paperwork constitutes a lot of time and administrative costs. Why not operate at greater efficiency with electronic log books? Our Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) feature eliminates the need for paper logs and reduces the likelihood of human error.

We Believe In Customer Success

GoFleet understands that everyone has different business needs. Our partnership with your organization doesn’t end once we’ve sold you the products you need. “Once we’ve delivered the solution, we’ll try to determine from you what other systems you’re currently using,” says Khan. “A lot of clients are involved in ADP payroll systems, or they use Microsoft solutions for their ERP, things like that. So we’ll work with them to implement an integrated solution down the line.”

We believe in customer success — a holistic schematic of your business that identifies where it was, current state, and where it can go. We partner with our clients to identify pain points, offer solutions, and ensure that everyone is achieving their desired outcome. We’ll help you increase productivity and profitability in a way that makes sense for your business.

Going Above And Beyond

Khan says that one of GoFleet’s key differentiators is its level of expertise. “A lot of organizations are looking towards industry expertise. Many industries out there, they’re new to the whole telematics scene, they’re deploying things for the first time,” Khan says. “They’re looking to us to see how far we can take telematics to improve their business. ‘This is what you should deploy’. ‘These are the reports you’re currently using’. Having that industry knowledge and having somebody on the other end of the line, who actually knows what your day-to-day operations look like, that’s definitely key within today’s space.”

GoFleet Cares About The Environment

Our digital telematics solutions naturally reduce a company’s carbon footprint by eliminating paper logs and streamlining work processes. GoFleet’s approach to environmental responsibility extends beyond the office; our high-tech telematics technology reduces fuel consumption by identifying risky driving behaviour and capping your fleet’s HOS. Our systems improve driver productivity, safety and compliance — all of which result in improved miles per gallon (MPG) and fewer CO2 emissions.

GoFleet is solutions-based; as such, we care deeply about environmental impact and the role we play in it. We are continuously working towards a greener and sustainable economy, and continue educating our clients to do the same.

Conclusion

ELD’s protect your most valuable assets: your fleet, and the people who operate them. By offering a complete end-to-end telematics solution, curated specifically for you, GoFleet can help you optimize your business, lower your costs and maintain road safety while ensuring compliance throughout.

To learn more about how GoFleet can help your fleet in regards of better managing maintenance, remaining compliant, keeping costs low, increasing driver safety or anything in-between, contact us today! We’d love to show you why we’re always the right choice when it comes to working with a telematics solutions provider.

Now Scheduled: CVSA’s International Roadcheck

Posted on August 31, 2020 | by Victoria Gole | Leave a Comment

On August 10, 2020, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) announced that their International Roadcheck is rescheduled. The new date announced was September 9 – 11, 2020. Since this date is quickly approaching, it is critical for all commercial vehicles on the road to reassess and ensure compliance with federal regulations.

As many fleets are just beginning to return to near normal productivity or are just returning to the road after pausing work after the COVID-19 pandemic, compliance must remain a priority.

What Is The CVSA’s International Roadcheck

The International Roadcheck is a thorough inspection of commercial vehicles on the road. These inspections are conducted over a 72-hour high-volume period and enforcement is conducted by inspectors in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Inspections will be conducted in a variety of settings – in mobile patrols, at fixed locations and weight, or at inspection stations.

What Will Be Checked?

In Canada, law enforcement personnel will conduct motor vehicle and driver inspections. They will leverage standard out-of-service criteria in North America, the National Safe Code and other provincial or territorial regulations to note violations to vehicle or driver compliance.

In the U.S. inspections will use Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations in addition to rules and regulations that are applicable to the commercial motor vehicle sector.

Similarly, in Mexico inspections will review regulations and standards set by the Mexican government.

It is important to note that inspections will review driver and vehicle compliance. For more information review this note released by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance: https://www.cvsa.org/news-entry/2020-rescheduled-roadcheck/

How To Prepare:

While this is not a complete list, here are some important reminders for drivers to have easily accessible while on the road:

Have ELD documentation ready with a proper understanding of how to display it
Ensure there are blank paper logs available within the vehicle (it is recommended to have at least eight days worth)
Have any and all malfunctions properly notes
Ensure unassigned driving time is annotated or claimed
Wear seat belts
Remain professional with inspectors
Keep vehicles clean and tidy

Drivers should also have their driver’s license, skill performance evaluation certificate, medical examiners certificate, driver’s record of duty status, as well as any other supporting documentation that may be relevant.

Looking for more information on how to keep your fleet compliance to strict industry standards? Contact us today – we’re trained and experienced in finding effective solutions to target nearly any need.

food transportation, cold chain custody, telematics, temperature monitoring

Food Transportation: Why Temperature Monitoring Should Not Be Overlooked

Posted on July 30, 2020 | by Anna | Leave a Comment

Given the current economic environment, many commercial transportation fleets can’t afford to have hiccups in their operations. When speaking about food transportation, this remains true as food products are at a higher risk of being rejected by receivers if they do not meet strict temperature requirements. As a result, more stress has been placed on enforcing food safety regulations and using the right telematics tools to reduce cargo losses of temperature-sensitive goods.

Financial Implications of Temperature Sensitive Products

Food transporters are at risk financially if they are unable to abide by strict temperature storage guidelines. In the past, when loads are found to not meet strict transporting guidelines, receivers may deem the products within the load unsafe and refuse to accept them. Meaning, if even one shipment in a 36-foot trailer gets transported at an improper temperature, businesses can lose up to $30,000.

In an attempt to mitigate financial losses resulting from the improper transportation of temperature-sensitive goods, telematics technology is steadily gaining popularity.

Why Shipments Get Rejected

Regardless of how far a delivery is, transporters with subpar temperature monitoring systems may not meet specific temperature qualifications. When this happens, receivers may decide to reject the shipment, as previously mentioned. For example, if frozen goods are on the brink of thawing when they arrive, or if heat-sensitive dairy products are delivered warm, receivers could refuse to accept the load. Consumers are at risk of bacterial poisoning if these products are allowed to reach the store shelves.

Regulations to Ensure Safe Food Transportation

To reduce the likelihood of spoiled products being sold to the public, in 2017, the FDA introduced the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The focus of the FSMA was to create a strict, standardized playbook. The regulations would prevent improperly documented and unsafe transportation of human and animal food products regardless of whether the products were in open or closed containers.

According to the FSMA, individuals in food transportation must ensure the following:

Vehicle trailers transporting food products must be pre-cooled to specific temperatures by shippers prior to the goods being loaded;
Cold-chain integrity must be maintained during the entire trip, and transporters must explain any temperature breaches along the way;
For at least one year, shippers and transporters must record the last three shipments of trailers for each delivery.

With these rules in mind, it’s important to note that the FSMA did not mandate the use of telematics. However, it is easy to understand why telematics would make meeting compliance easier and more precise.

Initial Compliance Concerns

When the Food Safety Modernization Act was introduced, many found that their fleets were at risk for not meeting requirements. This is because their drivers were relying on outdated and inaccurate temperature monitoring tools. Such systems typically only provided drivers with basic information about trailer temperatures as they did not use advanced telematics technology to see what the actual ambient air temperatures are. Older systems would only show temperature readings on in-cab displays of the blower output air temperature. These readings can be misleading as the device does not take into consideration the conveyor effect of cold and warm air variations caused by opened and closed doors.

What Consultants Recommend For Food Transportation Businesses

With strict regulations in place, many businesses are finding that older processes related to reporting and temperature monitoring are no longer sufficient. Meaning more loads are at risk for being rejected and more businesses are at risk for not being able to provide proper cold chain custody reports. When speaking to industry consultants like GoFleet, food transporters are offered a 360 telematics solution that focuses on temperature monitoring, GPS location tracking, and digital reporting to ensure FSMA compliance.

Temperature Monitoring and Maintaining Appropriate Trip Temperatures

Telematics temperature monitoring solutions are suggested for food transporters because smart systems can be utilized to monitor the indoor environments of trailers. They ensure that the temperature is correct and meets compliance. This is possible as solutions can be placed strategically throughout the trailer to continuously report on the temperature when the vehicle is in motion and even whether specific pre-cooling temperatures have successfully been met prior to loading.

When discussing the capability of monitoring the ambient temperature of the trailer throughout the entire trip, solutions can notify when temperatures begin to change to unsafe levels. This is critical because the temperature can drastically change in just a short period. When a trailer is loaded after pre-cooling requirements are met, the ambient temperature in a reefer can drop by 10 degrees within 5 minutes, depending on the outdoor weather conditions.

Even after a drop in temperature after loading, some trailers could have a chance at re-cooling if the blower is able to distribute cold air without interruptions continuously. However, if there are frequent stops which require the trailer doors to open and close (introducing warm air), re-cooling the trailer to a safe temperature may never be possible. In cases like this, telematics systems could notify drivers that they will need to set aside time for the trailer to cool back down to the appropriate temperature before continuing their route. Forgoing this cooling break puts fleets at risk for not complying with FSMA requirements.

When temperature monitoring technology is associated with a GPS tracking solution, teams can even collect temperature data and relate it to unique location points. Meaning, teams can see possible temperature changes with the distance traveled and stops made. This helps in predicting when cool-down stops may be necessary.

Digital Reporting to Keep Cold Chain Custody Reports For Investigations

Digital reporting solutions are crucial to food transporters because of the reliability, accuracy, and easy storage benefits that comes with it. Specifically, telematics reporting solutions stop drivers from having to manually record temperature data. Instead, the solution does it automatically and even associates specific GPS locations to the report. Human error is reduced, and the necessary paperwork is always completed. In fact, when a GPS location is associated with a change in temperature, it can allow the fleet to confirm how much of the shipment was affected and whether any cargo can still be delivered.

When discussing cold chain custody reports, digital reporting solutions automatically complete and keep temperature reports in a digital format. Meaning, if there is an investigation about a previous delivery, a fleet manager can easily pull the appropriate reports required from the cloud where they are stored. In fact, solutions like this can help reduce warehouse costs as physical storage locations will no longer be necessary as every report can be stored digitally on the cloud for infinite periods.

Food transporters can’t afford to overlook temperature monitoring any longer. If you’re interested to learn more about how you can ensure that your team is always remaining compliant when moving loads, contact our Compliance Specialists!

Questions To Ask Before Buying ELD Solutions

Posted on March 31, 2020 | by Anna | Leave a Comment

As the deadline to be ELD compliant is looming closer (or as already passed), it’s important that every fleet manager researches what electronic logging device will work best for them. As many fleets could still be operating without such devices, it’s only a matter of time before drivers are asked to show hours of service without using paperlogs. Prior to discussing the important questions that fleet managers should ask when buying ELD solutions, it’s important to understand how buying the right (or wrong) device could affect your fleet and why you need to be ELD compliant.

What Is The ELD Mandate?

The ELD Mandate is a regulation which focuses on the amount of travelling a commercial motor vehicle operator has and can complete. Specifically, it focuses on limiting the amount of driving to a pre-set and pre-determined ‘safe duration’ to ensure that drivers are not overworking themselves to complete more deliveries or routes. This stems from the concern that more driving incidents, accidents or poor judgement calls typically happen when drivers behind the wheel are tired because they have not had enough rest on the clock or between shifts. In order to complete this, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) began to move towards electronic devices (ELDs). ELDs are devices which record the driving time and hours-of-service (HOS) of a driver via telematics and IoT innovation. This is possible as the device typically has a plug-and-play feature which allows it to be installed into nearly any vehicle to immediately start to monitor the engine and whether it is running. However, as every fleet is different, it’s important to perform your own research in regards to your specific fleet size and location with up-to-date information to ensure that you are compliant at all times.

What Are The Deadlines?

In America, most fleets were required to make the switch in December 2017. However, American transport companies that were utilizing automatic onboard recording devices (AOBRDs) prior to December 2017, were provided with a different compliance date of December 2019. Canada on the other hand, is required to be ELD compliant by June 2021.

What Benefits Can Fleets Expect To Notice After Becoming Compliant?

Apart from being compliant and limiting the fines or penalties could receive, it’s important to learn about the additional benefits that come from being ELD compliant. In some cases, fleet managers may find that they are not only able to better organize their efforts, but can see financial improvements happen. The following are some benefits that managers can expect to notice once their fleet is ELD compliant:

Increased accuracy with administrative tasks as the devices automatically record and log information
Improved fuel use as idling can be monitored and addressed
Better vehicle diagnostics as engine fault codes can be detected quickly with ease
Improved location tracking of assets and route management as ELDs automatically gather information about where the device is
Improved identification of poor driving behaviours for each driver (that can later be addressed in training modules or employee reviews)
Increased safety as there is less of a risk of drivers operating the motor vehicle if they are overworked and tired
Improved Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores as the device can help ensure that you are meeting strict standards

Interested in viewing what electronic logging devices GoFleet can offer you?

However, with so many options to look at and so many details to review, we understand that sometimes becoming ELD compliant can be overwhelming. That’s why we compiled a list of questions that should be asked when inquiring about ELD Solutions.

Read our top 7 questions to keep in mind before buying ELD solutions below!

1. “Will the same device work in any type of vehicle?”

When you’re speaking with a solutions provider or buying ELD solutions, it’s important that you discuss in-depth your current needs and how your fleet could change (or how you would like it to change) in the future. Specifically, mentioning information like what class of vehicles are or will be used (ie. makes, models and fuel type), the size of your fleet, and your current struggles of fleet management in relation to driver and workload monitoring.

All of this information can better help your ELD provider supply devices that are compatible now and in the future.

2. “What is the installation procedure for ELD solutions and how long does it take?”

To fully understand the installation process, it’s important that you inquire not only about how easy the ELD solutions will be to install, but what the failure rates are in addition to the simplicity of troubleshooting or replacing. For example, if a device has a high failure rate or is difficult to replace due to rarity, it may not be the right fit for a small-sized fleet that needs to be agile and functional at all times.

3. “How much does the device cost and what are the ongoing fees?”

Often, the go-ahead to deploy new technology typically relies on the financial burden that the company will take on. So always inquire twice about this. Asking not only at the beginning of your research, but finalizing the cost and fees at the end (right before you purchase the devices). This will ensure that there are no surprises.

Somethings to remember to consider while asking about the cost are:

How expensive the hardware itself is
Whether you will require professional installation or if it is a plug-and-play device
What the monthly recurring charge (MRC) is for each vehicle
What is the training or onboarding process typically like – taking into consideration downtime to install devices or train personnel

4. “Is the ELD device easy to use?”

If a device is too complex or difficult to understand, you may find that it’s not the right fit for your team. As you need to ensure that your entire team, especially your drivers, will understand how to use it – you need to be confident in the capabilities of the device. Ensuring the device is user-friendly, easy to setup and requires minimum upkeep are only a few things to keep in mind.

Additionally, prior to buying ELD solutions, you should consider how the device will be supported. For example, asking whether it is supported with iOS and Android devices, or whether you will need to purchase specific devices to use it. For many fleet managers, cross-compatibility with adaptable ELD solutions are the most attractive.

5. “How will you ensure that the solution will remain compliant in the future?”

Since a major factor of the adoption of electronic logging devices are compliance requirements, it’s important that the device you adopt will always remain compliant. Specifically inquiring whether the solution will adapt to new regulations and whether you are satisfied with the vendor’s commitment to updating their device.

6. “What types of plans do you offer? How easy is it to switch?”

Depending on the current needs of your fleet, certain plans will be better for you. With this being said typically, there is a Base Plan that has basic GPS tracking features, a Regulatory Plan with improved data tracking, a Pro Plan that tracks engine data, and a ProPlus Plan that does all of this with 24/7 support! While it is fairly easy to upgrade in most cases, it’s important to not only clarify this but understand all features available.

Some key features to keep in mind are:

Support for ruleset and exemptions
The ability to share data with 3rd party users or backend customers
Open platform expandability and data ownership

7. “How long has your company been in business? Have you offered an AOBRD product before?”

Working with a business that is well known and experienced in the industry is critical. While some newer organizations may have an attractive price, you may find that in the future they are unable to provide the right offerings and support because of their young age. With this being said, always research and look for reviews with who you are working with so you don’t unknowingly work with a less than a reputable provider. You can also inquire about their core business offerings, how long they’ve been supporting your industry, how long they have been offering ELDs, how large their customer base is and the names of businesses they work with who are similar to yours.

Even though we only listed the seven important questions, there could be additional concerns that you need to address before buying ELD solutions. With that being said, we invite you to give us a call to talk about your fleet and your unique ELD needs. We’re confident that with our extensive knowledge of electronic logging devices, we have the experience necessary to help!

Remember while many Canadian fleets still have some time to migrate to using electronic logging devices, many American fleets should already be compliant!