Fleets Using AOBRDs Prepare for ELD Transition as Dec. 16 Deadline Nears
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HOUSTON — Fleets have been working closely with their technology suppliers to meet the requirements of the federal electronic logging device mandate before an exemption for older e-log systems expires in less than three months.
Motor carriers that continue to record drivers’ hours-of-service information on grandfathered systems classified as automatic onboard recording devices, or AOBRDs, have until Dec. 16 to make the switch to fully compliant ELDs.
Joe DeLorenzo, director of enforcement and compliance at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, emphasized that deadline during a Sept. 17 session at Trimble’s In.Sight User Conference and Expo.
Also at In.SIGHT
“We are planning on the Dec. 16 transition date,” he said. “It’s not a question mark. It’s a period. The compliance date isn’t going to change.”
Although the ELD mandate phased out paper logbooks when it went into effect in December 2017, the regulation allowed fleets to continue using AOBRDs during a two-year transition phase that is quickly winding down.
“If you haven’t gotten through your transition, now’s the time,” DeLorenzo said.
To help ease that change, Trimble has built a dashboard to give fleet managers a real-time view of the technical status of their migration to ELDs.
Trimble’s Jarosh says 80% of the company’s customers using AOBRDs have begun migrating to ELD software. (Trimble)
The company also produced an “ocean” of ELD-related materials and created a team of 22 ELD experts to help guide the company’s carrier customers through the process, said Alicia Jarosh, vice president of customer experience for Trimble Transportation.
“Over 80% of our customers have started this process and kicked off their migration, but we also know time is running short,” she said. “The switch to ELD is absolutely today’s imperative.”
Moving from AOBRDs to ELDs involves more than a technology update. Fleets also need to train their drivers how to use the devices and ensure that back-office workers know how to manage policy changes associated with the ELD rule. Under ELDs, drivers must accept any edits to their logs, for example.
Jarosh recommended that fleets work through that process by implementing ELDs at a pilot terminal before moving on to a companywide ELD rollout.
Rick Ochsendorf, general manager for Trimble Transportation’s mobility business, urged customers to work together with the technology supplier to navigate the AOBRD phaseout.
FMCSA’s Joe DeLorenzo says carriers must complete transition from AOBRDs to ELDs by the Dec. 16 deadline. “The compliance date isn’t going to change.” #insightuc @Trimble_Trans pic.twitter.com/odaTl3tDZC — Seth Clevenger (@SethClevenger) September 17, 2019
“Work with us,” he said. “Don’t get frustrated by yourselves.”
Looking forward, Trimble’s ELD product development will not end at the compliance date.
“As ELD matures, we want to make sure we are continuing to build on our ELD platform,” said Glenn Williams, vice president of product management for Trimble Transportation’s mobility business.
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ELD product enhancements planned for the first quarter of 2020 include improvements to the driver experience for personal conveyance and yard moves, a compliance tutor to help drivers understand hours-of-service requirements, and efficiency tools for safety managers.
Trimble also will update its technology to reflect future regulatory changes, such as the Canadian ELD mandate, Williams said.
