EOBR Ruling: Short Term vs. Long Term Benefits?

Byline: Grady Winston

With the current rules and regulations that govern the trucking industry today, a fleet owner is left to wonder if the latest mandate for all interstate trucks and buses to have on-board recording is just one more way for “big brother” to keep an eye on them or if it will actually benefit businesses and distribution costs in the long run. In order to understand the electronic on board recorder (EOBR) ruling, you need to understand MAP-21.

Could the new EOBR ruling improve your distribution line, or make things more complicated?

What Is MAP-21?MAP-21 is a Congressional highway bill that was passed in June. As part of the package, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will begin requiring the fleet tracking recorders that they say will set standards for data transfer, enhance security, driver accuracy and portability for law enforcement purposes.

FMCSA officials stated that through MAP-21, there would be a final rule one year from the time the bill becomes law, which would be Oct. 1, 2013. The all-important period of evaluation of comments and feedback will be heard during this time period, allowing the FMCSA to suggest possible revisions. This will be followed by a three-month review at the White House before it’s set in stone, which pushes the new law into effect in mid-2014.

What It Means To Fleet Owners

As fleet owners and independent owner-operators scramble to wrap their brains around yet another requirement, the Federal Highway Administration is working to become more transparent to fleet owners. Beginning in May 2010, the agency offered an online tool called Freight Performance Measures that uses data from thousands of trucks to identify highway choke points and average speeds of travel on interstate highways.

In turn, this information, also utilized by the government, can help prioritize highway spending. The tool can also help truckers, freight companies and shippers to determine which routes are better in order to avoid congested areas. The tool sounds like a win-win for both government and business, if the data is used properly.

Many trucks are already equipped with onboard GPS and satellite technology that reflects travel speeds across the country. Low speeds naturally reflect congestion. This technology is available to any business or owner-operator who has the on-board technology.

So with tools already available to fleet owners, officials are asking the questions of compliance dates for the new mandate. Issues have come up such as a time frame that will allow more than 3 million trucks across America to be outfitted with the new technology. For carriers already using various versions of electronic logs and GPS systems, a legacy system could be proposed that will allow for continued usage for a specific time period. It would most likely end in yet another government registration or certification for the approved devices in order to give truck owners clarity and compliance with this government ruling.

The on-board electronic recorders are designed to manage hours of service, run times and gas expense. While the benefits are obvious to fleet owners, it also leaves the question whether the new ruling will end up costing more than the benefits it should provide.

The average price of diesel has risen for seven consecutive weeks and is currently at its highest mark since May, and 20 cents more than it was a year ago. While the nationwide on-highway price per gallon of diesel sat at $4.026 in late August, the Energy Information Administration of the Department of Energy says that figure is up 6.1 cents from mid-month. Overall, diesel has risen 37.8 cents per gallon since the July 1st.

What It Means To Drivers

With all the costs, requirements, rules and regulations the trucking industry already keeps up with, another opinion has yet to be heard regarding the on-board recorders – the driver. Fleet owners probably won’t have to think long and hard to realize the change will not be a welcome one for the employee behind the wheel. The trucker’s opinions should also be heard in addition to everyone else who has a say-so on the subject. Will the new mandate leave the driver feeling as if he or she is not trusted? Will it affect worker morale and overall motivation? With GPS systems, on-board computers and other technology devices in place to track a trucker’s every move, the new recorder probably won’t be welcomed with open arms since it could increase the ever-present feeling of someone peering right over their right shoulder, watching and recording 24/7.

The upside for drivers is that, with time, it could create a greater bond of trust between the employer and driver, as well as helping to prove facts when questions arise regarding safety, truck problems or accidents. Read more athttp://www.business2community.com/government-politics/eobr-ruling-short-term-vs-long-term-benefits-0295847#AvYUZ73bk01RZCgL.99.