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ryanbarnett

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What's Happening Now

February 14, 2011 5:36 pm

The 395.15 and 395.16 component to the regulation require engine connectivity which most cell phone applications do not have. There are exceptions, such as Xata Turnpike which uses an application on the handset paired with a device (Route Tracker) tied to the engine.

May 12, 2011 6:12 pm

At Xata we see benefits to the use of e-logs daily. Here’s 20 reasons:

1. Paper work time savings: it’s simply a pain to keep track of paper logs. XATA often sees 15 to 30 minute improvements in time for filling out the logs in the proper form and manner.
2. Convenience: electronic logs are easier to use than paper through the level of automation provided.
3. Added time in a day: A minimum stop for paper log is 15 minutes; electronic logs can get down to the minute for an accurate stop. If you do many stops in the day, your drive time increases.
4. Detention billing: EOBRs as part of a performance management solution, especially if industry wide, give proof to location and time spent at a shipper’s yard. The biggest criticism to an EOBR is a driver having to start their day… more »

…on duty while at a dock. In reality, drivers should be starting their day at the dock, and billing the detaining company detention time for lost hours.
5. Ability to prove adherence to Hours of Service laws: Legal truckers can be proud of their safety resume.
6. Interoperability of working with other fleets: an electronic system can help move an O/O from fleet to fleet based on hours available. Send an electronic report to a dispatcher to prove the hours available.
7. Ability to charge higher rates: by showing compliance with HOS laws, and having shippers understand what it takes to be a legal trucker, truckers can charge the rates deserved based on time and distance.
8. Keeping drivers on task: EOBRs can use as a productivity measuring tool. You can measure the time at stops, time on the road, and time in between. These accurate measures help show inefficiencies and time that is wasted.
9. Perception from the public that tracked hours are safe hours: e-logs may not keep you awake, but their use can prove you operate in a legal way.
10. CSA Scores: fleets that use e-logs have better fatigued management CSA scores (Look at XATA’s customer base for proof)
11. Keeping up with potential HOS changes: Based on the complexity of the new rules, and electronic system will help keep a driver straight on what is legal compared to being in violation
12. Proof in an audit: many small fleets will fail an audit. Electronic logs will give support to documentation that paper log books will not.
13. Proof in roadside inspections: Upon seeing the use of electronic logs, many enforcement officials may not go into the details on log books
14. Additional applications from a system: A device running XATA turnpike along side of other applications like ALK CoPilot Truck and email can give truckers tools needed when away from home. Truckers are consumers too – their tools should fit their lifestyle.
15. Reduction in supporting documents: there is an overall reduction in supporting paperwork needed to prove logs or fuel tax. The potential mandate for logs makes this a critical point for adoption.
16. Warnings if time is low: a paper log book doesn’t help a driver know if hours are low. EOBRs quickly show available time left when driving.
17. Ability to move rule sets (e.g. US to Canadian): it’s a flip of a switch and you can run a different rule set and understand how much time is left in what rule set you are in.
18. Document storage reduction: no need to keep old documents.
19. Give peace of mind to the at home contact – many O/Os work in a team – the husband may be driving, the wife keeping track of the books. EOBRs gives O/Os the tools to give visibility into mileage, time, and potential violations.
20. Form and Factor: Many current violations are from form and factor mistakes, which can be as simple as someone not writing down a line. These simple mistakes are virtually eliminated. « less
May 18, 2011 12:52 pm

Trucks that are purchased before June 4, 2012 using a 395.15 compliant device can use that device for the life of the vehicle compared to just 2014. Also, the devices must be 395.16 compliant (not 395.15) after June 4, 2012.

February 15, 2011 11:29 am

It sounds like you’re talking about an alternative EOBR, one that is not part of a Fleet Management System. Is that right? FMCSA is interested in collecting data about the availability and cost of EOBRs. Do you have any links that you could share with information about other devices on the market (like the XATA Turnpike)?

February 16, 2011 12:25 pm

This is a great comment with a lot of useful information that FMCSA is looking for.

What do other users think about ryanbarnett’s comment? If a logs-only EOBR were offered, would trucking companies be interested in purchasing this?

February 15, 2011 11:29 am

It sounds like you’re talking about an alternative EOBR, one that is not part of a Fleet Management System. Is that right? FMCSA is interested in collecting data about the availability and cost of EOBRs. Do you have any links that you could share with information about other devices on the market (like the XATA Turnpike)?

May 19, 2011 12:20 am

thank you moderators for this opportunity to voice our opinions and to those who set up the regulation room, thank you as well.