ELD devices regularly examines its compliance with ELD technical requirements and detect data inconsistencies related to power, data synchronization, missing data, timing, positioning, data recording, data transfer and unidentified driver records requirements. Visual indicators are also sent to the drivers during the event of data diagnostic and remains effective until data diagnostics events are cleared from ELD. Some of these events get cleared by automatically and some will only get cleared once the ELD device is repaired.

1. “Power Data Diagnostic” events.

“Power data diagnostic events” occur when an ELD is not powered or fully functional within one minute of the vehicle’s engine power up and does not remain powered in sync to vehicle’s engine power time.

2. “Engine Synchronization Data Diagnostic” events

“Engine synchronization data diagnostic events” occur when an ELD loses its connectivity to ECM to record updated values for engine power status, vehicle motion status, miles driven, and engine hours within five seconds of the need.

3. “Missing required data elements” data diagnostics event

A “missing required data elements data diagnostic event” occurs when any required data field is missing at the time of its recording.

4. “Data Transfer Data Diagnostic events”

A “data transfer data diagnostic event” occurs when the operation of the data transfer mechanism(s) is not confirmed.

5. “Unidentified driving records data diagnostic event”

An “unidentified driving records data diagnostic event” occurs when more than 30 minutes of driving time for an unidentified driver is recorded within a 24-hour period.

“Unidentified driving data diagnostic event” gets cleared when unidentified driving time for the current 24-hour period and previous 7 consecutive days drops to 15 minutes or less.

Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.

ELD devices has a mechanism of self-monitoring its compliance with ELD technical requirements. The devices monitor its compliance on regular basis and detect malfunctions related to power, data synchronization, missing data, timing, positioning, data recording and data transfer. Record of each malfunction is maintained with its “malfunction cleared” event in the logs of all driver.

1. “Power Compliance” malfunctions.

“Power compliance malfunctions” occur when an ELD is not powered with vehicles motion of total 30 minutes or more in a 24-hour period across all driver profiles including unidentified driver profile.

2. “Engine Synchronization Compliance” malfunctions.

“Engine synchronization compliance malfunctions” occur when ECM fails to provide updated values of required parameters such as engine power status, vehicle motion status, miles driven, and engine hours for more than 30 minutes during a 24-hour period combined across all driver profiles including unidentified driver profile.

3. “Data Recording Compliance” malfunction

A “data recording compliance malfunction” occurs when an ELD fails to record or maintain required events or retrieve recorded logs that are not kept remotely by the motor carrier.

4. “Data Transfer Compliance” malfunctions

A “data transfer compliance” malfunction occurs when the ELD stays in the unconfirmed data transfer mode following the next three consecutive monitoring checks.

5. “Timing Compliance” malfunction

A “timing compliance malfunction” occurs when the ELD is not able to record Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), where ELD time must be synchronized with UTC and should not exceed an absolute deviation of 10 minutes at any time.

6. “Positioning Compliance” malfunction

When an ELD fails to record a valid position measurement within 5 miles of the commercial motor vehicle movement for more than 60 minutes over a 24-hour period, a “position compliance malfunction” will be recorded in the data diagnostic.

7. “Data Transfer Compliance” malfunctions

ELD monitors its compliance with data transfer mechanism at least once in every 7 days. A “data transfer compliance” malfunction occurs when the ELD fails to confirm the working status of this mechanism. At this point ELD enters the unconfirmed data transfer mode and stays in this mode for following next three consecutive monitoring checks.

The malfunction cleared event is based on different factors depending on which type of malfunction took place.

You can also check the FMCSA frequently asked questions on Malfunction for more details.

Malfunction – https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/hours-service/elds/eld-malfunctions-and-data-diagnostic-events

Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.

As per 49 CFR § 395.1(k), drivers transporting agriculture commodities (including livestock, bees, fiber, non-processed food and any other commodity defined under § 395.2) within 150 air- mile radius from the source of the commodities are exempt from HOS rules during planting and harvesting periods, as determined by each state. It also applies to drivers who transport farm supplies for agricultural purposes from either a wholesale or retail distribution point to the location where the supplies will be used or from a wholesale distribution point to a retailer. Under this exemption the time used working within the 150 air-mile radius does not count toward the driver’s daily and weekly limits.

Exemption does not apply:

Once the driver goes past the 150 air- mile radius, the HOS regulation applies. He/she must maintain logs using an ELD unless they meet any other ELD exemption.

How to use?

Our ELD covers this exempt as “ag exemption” operation. The drivers can use this feature with a click of button without effecting their remaining on duty and driving hours. The time spent within 150 air mile radius is calculated as a part of off duty.

Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.

As per FMCSA regulations, starting December 16, 2019, all motor carriers and drivers currently using AOBRDs must switch to ELDs.

How to upgrade?

The upgrade is simple and free. Call or e-mail us when you are ready to upgrade before December 16,2019. AikSphere’ s AOBRD devices are ELD compatible. The users just need to click on a button on their phones or tablets to download new ELD settings as shown in the image.

Note: All accounts will be switched automatically to ELD on December 16^th. Once the switch happens, all the drivers need to click on the refresh button on top right of login screen as shown in the image to update their settings.

A rolling/floating means as you move to the next day without a 34/36 hour reset, every day you regain the hours from the beginning of the cycle. For the 60/7 cycle, this means that on the Day 8, the driver would regain on-duty hours that were spent 8 days back as newly available driving hours. In other words, the current day (Day 8) would be the newest day of your 7-day period and the hours that been used eight days ago would drop out of the calculation. Same framework applies to 70/8 cycle, on the Day 9 the driver will regain hours that were spent 9 days back.

Let’s illustrate with an example:

On Tuesday Day 1, the driver began a new 70/8 cycle after having 34-hour reset. His on-duty hours, both driving and non-driving, are subtracted every day from the 70 hours allotted over the 8-day window. On Wednesday, Day 9, the driver regained 11 hours of on-duty hours. The 8 hours he regained from Day 1, plus the 3 hours he still had remaining in his 70-hour cycle, gave him a total of 11 hours available as an on-duty hours, during which he can drive.

Limitations:

1. You cannot to drive a commercial motor vehicle after you’ve been on duty for 70 hours in any 8 consecutive days. You can only drive until the 70-hour limit is dropped. Take 34 hours reset to regain the hours. Same condition applies to 60/7 cycle and Canadian Cycles – Cycle 1 and 2.
2. In Canada, a driver needs to take at least 24 consecutive hours of off-duty time in the preceding 14 days before continuing his driving.

Try our user friendly AOBRD or ELD, these will automatically calculate remaining hours of service and will warn the drivers about the potential violations.

Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.

Getting trucking insurance is more complicated than getting home and auto insurance. A good insurance will protect you from loses arising from vehicles and cargo. It is important to be knowledgeable of transportation insurance coverage in respect to geographical area, type of cargo, insured amount, and what type of systems may help you in getting better rates.

How to find a right policy?

The key is to find a right insurance agent who can create the most appropriate policy for your organization that serves your requirements.

All insurances consist of three aspects – vehicle, general liability and cargo. Types of insurance/ policy depends on several factors, such as type of vehicles, cargo, size of the organization, and operating radius. Driver records, CVOR and company accident stats will affect the rates as well.  A clean driving record and better safety histories easily qualifies for lower rates.

Best practices for lowering the rates

Company’s performance and safety practices are in hand of the carriers which can be easily enhanced by implementing good systems. Having electronic device onboard (Telematics) vehicles is one of the best and most efficient ways to record and maintain vehicle maintenance and driver’s logs.  Telematics system can be used to implement driver behavior policies, control accidents, vehicle thefts, and have real-time location of your fleet.

We invite you to check out our user-friendly Telematics System to help you improve your safety and compliance.  Our ELD and Fleet Management System proactively warns drivers and dispatchers of the upcoming violation by giving pre-violation warning and alerts and maintain all records.

Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.

What is Yard Move?

A yard can be defined as operator’s own terminals or it could be a customer’s yard, a drop yard, a receiver’s facility, any other similar location or facility. FMCSA has categorized yard moves as a special driving condition.

When/How to use it?

Yard Move is used when you need to move your truck for few meters and do not want these little moves to cut down your available driving time. It is easy to use yard move feature with Aiksphere’s AOBRD/ELD by just one click.

How yard move is different from personal use?

Both yard move and personal use is special driving category that are not calculated as a part of drive time. The main difference between them is the way they are recorded. Yard move is recorded as on-duty, not driving time whereas personal use is recorded as off-duty time. Personal use is a driving done after releasing from all the work duties to travel to home or lodge. To understand the personal use in detail, please refer to our previous blog on Personal Use.

Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.

The facility audit is a “risk based” assessment of the elements known to cause or contribute to commercial motor vehicle collision, and to reduce their livelihood by Ministry of Transportation (MTO).

Purpose of Audit

The purpose of the Facility Audit is to examine the safety – management controls are properly implemented and maintained, and to ensure the drivers are:

• Qualified to drive the operator’s equipment
• Performing the proper inspections of operator’s equipment add reporting defects
• Complaint with the Hours of Service regulation

The operators are assessed based on the following elements. Each element is rated on range from 0 to 100 points and reflects the operator’s safety performance both on-road and off-road.

3 primary elements

Hours of service

Six months period records are required of both the company drivers and owner operators.

Driver qualification

Two-year period records are required both the company drivers and owner operators or from the date the driver started with the operator (if less), or six months after the driver discontinues.

Vehicle Maintenance

24 months period records are required of all kinds of vehicles belonging to the operators or 6 months after the vehicle ceases to be operated.

These primary elements hold 100 points each and is divided into subcategory. Each subcategory has its own weightings.

Whether you are undergoing audits voluntarily or on request by MTO, the operators need to prepare properly to score high on carrier safety ratings. All the information related to what documents are required and how scores are calculated can be find under  Module 6  of Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual published by Ministry of Transportation of Ontario.

Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.

Although the ELD mandate went into effective on December 18, 2017 but FMSCA’s regulation have pushed the deadline of implementing ELD for automatic on-board recording devices (AOBRD) users (fleets) until December 16, 2019.

When is the right time to switch?

The fleet owners should switch sooner than waiting until the last minute for a smoother transitioning process. Any new process will bring along some minor kicks and would require enough time to get thoroughly trained and address any issues. Switching before the deadline will also help fleet owners and drivers to understand the benefits of ELD (fewer accidents and violations) along with adjusting to the new system.

How to switch?

Switching is very easy process. Fleet owners just need to contact their AOBRD/ELD providers to request the change.

What changes will be reflected after switching?

The main difference between the AOBRD and ELD is the way driving event is recorded. An ELD automatically records all the time a vehicle was in motion as driving time that cannot be edited or changed to non-driving time. In addition, all the edits are recorded with annotations (reasons for editing the logs). To understand the difference more deeply, please refer to our previous blog on Difference between AOBRD and ELD.

Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.

Whenever we come across term fleet tracking, we simply picture it as system providing the information about the location of the vehicle. Tracking technology is far more powerful than just tracking the vehicles. It can serve as an effective and affordable tool by fleet owners to excel in business and maximize profits.

Strong customer relationship– Provides real-time updates and ETA for deliveries to your customers.  It can greatly reduce the stress and concerns of the shippers, receivers, and customers. Thus, increasing customer satisfaction.

Reduce fuel and maintenance cost–Idling, speeding, fast starts and stops can cost companies to spend a lot of money on fuel and maintenance. Tracking technology can help in monitoring vehicle performance 24/7 leading to improve vehicle life expectancy.

Easy Dispatching – Have real time access to equipment location on the portal instead of calling, texting or emailing the drivers.  This increases operation efficiency, planning, and reduces cost.

Reduce Insurance Costs – Safe driving and safe vehicles are key to lower insurance costs. Implementing tracking system reduces the risk of freight theft and fast recoveries of the stolen cargo. In addition, monitoring driver behavior for hard brakes, speeding, sharp turns, etc. encourages driver to be more responsible behind the wheels.

IFTA – Tracking system calculates the fuel taxes in a fraction of the time. Saves you from all the time consuming and error-prone manual process.

Fleet tracking system is a great investment for all sizes of fleets.  It provides great ROI in addition to all the benefits listed above.  Follow the link: truck-tracking to learn more about our GPS tracking devices.

Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA / MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.