A Q&A with Santa, and Fleet Manager Mrs Claus, of North Pole Inc
Commercial motor carriers are (all too) familiar with the upcoming electronic logging device (ELD) mandate, but for construction and vocational fleets, many find themselves in unchartered territory and wondering, “Do we even need to equip our vehicles with ELDs?”
For fleets currently required to record hours of service (HOS) with vehicles/equipment weighing 10,001+ pounds, or transporting hazardous materials and requiring placards, the answer is yes.
Once you’ve determined whether your fleet is subject to the rule or not, the next step is selecting the right ELD solution. However, what most don’t realize is that there’s an option that not only allows you to maintain compliance, but achieve efficiencies across all operations, as well.
In today’s ultra-competitive construction market, ELDs integrated with fleet or asset management software will give businesses that necessary edge. Those already leveraging telematics, or a GPS fleet tracking system, can attest to the fact that construction fleets react to problems faster and gain visibility into their operations and vehicles/equipment.
Top benefits of integrated ELDs include:
Increased Productivity – By analyzing reports through the software, companies gain insight into long-term trends to help improve processes across the organization. With knowledge of efficient routes to job sites, an understanding of where vehicles and equipment are (and what they are doing), managers can steadily build a more streamlined fleet.
Reduced Maintenance Costs – Sidelining a vehicle due to unforeseen maintenance or repairs is a costly choice. Through integrated ELDs, driver vehicle inspection reports for pre- and post-trip inspections mitigate this risk. By tracking vehicle inefficiencies – before you get to a job site – maintenance needs can be quickly attended to, keeping your fleet strong year-round.
Enhanced Communications – Advanced ELDs include a slew of driver apps, including two-way communication, which issue break-time alerts, send arrival and departure times and track routes. Driver/operators can ask for assistance without using a mobile phone or leaving their vehicle. This degree of visibility ensures that drivers/operators remain on task while completing jobs.
Improved Driver/Operator Safety – GPS fleet tracking features, such as real-time access to vehicle locations on an interactive map, ensure managers can always remain in touch with their drivers/operators. More broadly, fleet management systems can identify unsafe driving habits like speeding or harsh braking, allowing managers to address performance issues immediately.
Optimized Fuel Usage – While these vehicles don’t travel far, they do make frequent trips back and forth, and fuel is burned inefficiently between the stop and go, plus the sheer amount of mass they must carry. ELDs with fleet management solutions enable construction fleets to reduce fuel consumption by providing insights into every gallon/liter used and how machines are being used.
To learn more about the ELD mandate and how to select the right solution for your fleet, visit: http://www.teletracnavman.com/our-solutions/compliance/eld.