Advanced ELD devices driving compliance and efficiency

With tightening regulations and the complexities of fleet operations these days, commercial fleet owners need to have ELD solutions with advanced capabilities. No longer simply devices for recording driver hours, these systems today provide integrated capabilities to enable compliance, performance monitoring and operational intelligence.

At the most basic level, ELDs exist in order to automatically record Hours of Service (HOS) to comply with federal requirements. But one leading vendor has added features such as live vehicle tracking, driver behaviour monitoring and automatic reporting — key for staying on the right side of the law and optimizing the size and composition of your fleet.

The best ELD solutions don’t just keep your fleet compliant; they make your business more efficient. Electronic logs reduce drivers’ paperwork and make audit preparation easier for fleet administrators. Ultimately, this efficiency results in less time lost due to time-off for maintenance and minimized violations that could impact a company’s safety score.

ELD compliance also provides real-time visibility into driver hours, vehicle movement, and engine status. Leveraging GPS Tracking and telematics data puts all the status, location and driver activity at the command of the fleet manager from a single convenient location. This knowledge supports faster decisions in the event of a rerouting of a vehicle due to traffic or in the case of an unscheduled stop.

ELD compliance has also been found to significantly improve driver safety. A growing number of ELD platforms offer in-cab alerts, scorecards and post-trip performance summaries. And these tools are what help drivers self-correct and get better over time. Fleet operators can leverage the statistics for tailored training programs that minimize the risk of accidents and associated insurance costs.

In addition, today’s ELD systems usually work well with other fleet management programs. From maintenance tracking to fuel reporting or even payroll systems, best-in-class ELD platforms keep all data flowing smoothly between various departments. This eliminates duplicate work while also enabling companies to build a centralized, data-based operational model.

Ease of use, possible support and scalability should be taken into account when deciding upon a solution. An ELD worth its salt ought to be driver-friendly, easily deployed, and include tech support to make the transition seamless.

In an industry where mere compliance is insufficient, the use of best-in-class ELD solutions could be the next strategic move towards a more unified state and enhanced competitive advantage. Long-term fleet success requires investment in the right electronic logging technology and, for fleets looking to increase safety, reduce expenses and gain operational certainty, that is more than smart — it’s necessary.

Brian Styris is the author of this article. For more details about, Solutions For Fleets. please visit our website: etrucks.com.