Remaining compliant with hours of service regulations is a complex, time consuming and expensive requirement. Traditional paper driver logs have required regular and extensive adjustments due to driver error, forgetting to complete the logs and not knowing how to properly complete the logs. Additionally, fault driver logs put the fleet operator at risk of being fined by the Department of Transportation. Fortunately, paper driver logs are now being replaced by electronic on-board recording devices (EOBRDs).
EOBRDs have proven to save fleet managers 60%+ man-hours needed to administer driver logs. GPS Fleet Solutions new EOBRD platform connected to the GO4 device offers DOT compliance, HoS compliance and CSA compliance for about 50% less than traditional systems offered by companies like Qualcomm®. The GO HoS form factor combines the best of telematics, GPS tracking and electronic drive logs to provide fleet operators real-time tracking and drive availability. Knowing who is available today is great but knowing how their activities today impact their overall hours of availability is extremely beneficial.
The GO HoS form factor moves driver logs off paper and online. The in-cab mobile data terminal (MDT) is specially configured to display an interactive screen replicating a driver log book. Each time a driver logs on or off duty, drives or rests, the system automatically calculates their available drive time and hours of available service for a 7 or 8 day week. The GO HoS device also allows for tracking drivers as part of a team using a sleeper birth, exceptions for emergencies and non-drive time but still on duty time for the day or week. Fleet managers can watch an entire fleet at once knowing who is in or out of compliance and who is going to be in or out of compliance soon. Conflicts are highlighted to focus DOT compliance officers to the pending issues so they can be cleared quickly. Every login and change to the system is documented by user login to document who made which specific changes. The online system has proven to reduce the need for over 2/3rds of the staff required to maintain traditional paper logs. This savings alone is enough to justify the investment.
The optional DVIR is an added feature the further consolidates information traditionally done using a paper log. The DVIR keeps the fleet maintenance manager informed in real-time of truck safety issues and pending issues. Using the same mobile data terminal, the driver walks the truck looking for safety issues. Once done any issues are entered into the system using customized drop menus. Conversely if there are no issues the driver is required to state such verifying he did the inspection. The responsibility now shifts from fleet operator to truck driver. If a vehicle is marked as being unsafe and not fit for driving, the fleet maintenance manager can be alerted and take the appropriate action to get back on the road. The safety issues are acknowledged and cleared using the maintenance tracking capabilities.
So far we have tracked the vehicle using a GPS device, driver log using the hours of service, engine performance using telematics and the final piece of the puzzle is trailer tracking. In many dynamic trucking environments tractors pull multiple trailers in one day or over the course of a week. With the GO HoS fleet managers can again track which trailers are attached to which tractors in real time at no additional investment. The driver simply enters the trailer number on the MDT and off he/she goes.
Interstate Truck Driver's Guide to Hours of Service, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
