News Article – Guardian ELOG

Drivewyze And Diesel Tech Industries Partner To Bring Weigh Station Bypass And In-Cab Safety Alerts To Guardian ELOG Customers

PLANO, Texas, June 20, 2024 – Drivewyze, the North American leader in connected truck services and the largest public-private weigh station bypass network operator, recently announced it has partnered with Diesel Tech Industries to provide its Guardian ELOG customers with integrated access to Drivewyze PreClear weigh station bypass and Drivewyze Safety+ services. Diesel Tech Industries offers several key fleet management technologies for trucking companies and owner operators that operate in Canada and in the U.S. “Diesel Tech Industries continues to grow and expand its suite of fleet management products for its customers,” said Frances Kilgour, VP of Business Development and Channel Management for Drivewyze. “We’re excited to partner with Diesel Tech Industries and provide its Guardian ELOG customers integrated access to our weigh station bypass and in-cab safety notifications services.” Since no transponders are required, activation of Drivewyze PreClear on the Guardian ELOG platform can be done in minutes. Drivewyze transmits safety scores, registration, and tax compliance information to the weigh station, which then calculates the information against the bypass criteria established by its state or province. If the carrier and vehicle pass the criteria, at one mile out, the driver receives permission to bypass the site. The better the fleet’s safety score, the more bypasses typically granted. Through Drivewyze PreClear, Guardian ELOG customers have the ability to receive bypass opportunities at more than 900 locations in 47 states and provinces. In addition to Drivewyze PreClear, Guardian ELOG customers can access Drivewyze Safety+, which provides drivers with real-time weather alerts, as well as in-cab safety alerts for upcoming dangerous curves, low bridges, and high speeding citation areas, and more. Drivewyze’s back-office tools also allow fleets to create their own customized driver alerts, plus our safety analytics allow fleets to monitor driver behavior and help in drivercoaching. According to Rebecca Goldsack, Diesel Tech Industries COO, adding integrated access to Drivewyze’s PreClear and Safety+ services is expected to be a welcomed new offering for its customer base. “Bypassing weigh stations is a tremendous opportunity for fleets and owner operators to save time and operating costs associated with spending time at weigh stations waiting for an inspection,” said Goldsack. “We’re pleased to partner with the leading provider of this service in Drivewyze. Drivewyze PreClear and its in-cab safety notifications service,Safety+, can help our customers operate more efficiently and safe.” “Drivewyze’s PreClear combined with the Guardian ELOG has been a game-changer for our trucking operations,” said B. Richardson Transportation, Blake Richardson, who beta-tested the Guardian ELOG and Drivewyze integrated offering. “Using the Guardian ELOG with Drivewyze, we seamlessly navigate past busy trucking scales, saving us up to 10 minutes each day, if not more, while maintaining compliance. Together, they’ve streamlined our trips, boosting efficiency and peace of mind on the road. We highly recommend Drivewyze to any fleet looking to optimize their operations.” About Drivewyze Inc.: Drivewyze Inc. is a leader in the transportation technology industry that builds innovative solutions for commercial fleets, drivers, and transportation infrastructure owners and operators. Drivewyze delivers best-in-class in-cab services to commercial fleets and drivers, like Drivewyze PreClear weigh station bypass service and Drivewyze Safety+ proactive safety alerts. Drivewyze Infrastructure Services provides solutions to state agencies, including Smart Roadside commercial vehicle enforcement (CVE) electronic screening, Central Park truck parking management, and Smart Roadways connected truck solutions. To learn more about Drivewyze, visit https://drivewyze.com/. About Diesel Tech Industries: Diesel Tech Industries, a subsidiary of Diesel Tech Truck Repair (Est.1999), was founded in 2005 in Edmonton, Alberta and has taken on multiple challenges that have faced the trucking industry over the years. All of our products are designed around our proprietary technology of reading engine data and performing an action, thus bringing many products to market with the help of our multidisciplinary team of 30 employees. We have worked at a fast pace to develop some of the most innovative and useful products in the transportation industry to help achieve driver safety. We take pride in our simple, practical, and functional design with our Guardian ELOG, which is an Electronic logging device that is Certified with Transport Canada as well as with the FMCSA. We were the first in Alberta, and the second in Canada to be certified by an accredited certification body. All of our products are designed with simplicity and practicality in mind for ease of use to ensure we are providing the highest level of safety for drivers on the road. To learn more about Diesel Tech Industries, visit https://GuardianELD.com

June 26, 2024 No Comments

Revolutionizing Logging Industry Compliance: The British Columbia ELD Mandate for HOS

Effective August 1, 2023, the British Columbia, Ministry of Transportation will be implementing the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate for HOS. The Logging and Forestry Industry standards are different from regular HOS. Here’s what you need to know: You can have a maximum of 13 hours of driving time in a 24-hour period or work shift. Cannot drive after 15 hours of on-duty or elapsed time since the start of the work shift. Must have at least 9 hours of off-duty time between shifts. Must not drive after 65 driving hours in seven days. Must not drive after 80 hours of on-duty in seven days Must be off duty at least 24 consecutive hours every seven days (Note: Logger HOS does not reset but continue to be a rolling 7-day total). Must have a logbook, regardless of the distance travelled (when operating under the standard HOS rules, you usually do not need to use the logbook if you work within the 160 km radius of your home terminal). Have to indicate that they are “operating under logging truck hours” in the logbook Remarks section. Cannot defer off-duty time. Universal logbook rules that apply to most carriers (including loggers) are: keep your last six months of logs at your business place. You can use your commercial motor vehicle for personal use for 75 km. Keep your previous 14 days of logs in the truck. Transitioning to an ELD from paper does not have to be a complex process. The Guardian ELOG was designed to emulate the old paper process of reporting hours closely to facilitate the transition to an ELD tablet. Whether fleets have 1 or 500 drivers in your fleet, the Guardian tablet was designed to ensure that even someone with less knowledge of technology can run the Guardian ELOG with ease. Access to the Guardian Dashboard allows Fleet and Safety Managers to keep their team compliant. With an ease-of-use login system, you will be able to track drivers’ hours, active vehicles, Inspection reports and more. Reach out to one of our team members today and let us help you find a solution for your ELD needs. info@dtiguardian.com or 780-455-9876 / 1-888-235-0244

June 27, 2023 No Comments

ELD // FROM THE EXPERTS

Passenger vehicles are sharing busier and busier highways with more commercial vehicles – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in varying road conditions. While the importance of improving road safety is obvious, putting plans and rules into place that the transportation and logistics industry can easily adopt is a significant challenge. Now that ELDs will be mandatory as of January 1, 2023 you will be pleasantly surprised to learn that it may help you run your operation more efficiently. Most ELDs on the market can minimize dangerous driving by sending reports of location and speed aswell as, tracking daily inspections to let you know of any potential problems that could become a safety issue. ELDs also provide a comprehensive solution to the electronic logging needs of the driver and fleet managers. Drivers and managers can use information from the ELD for better location tracking and better route management. Any Canadian certified ELD has been designed and tested to be fully compliant with government requirements. Getting a head start on installing your ELD will give you an advantage in the industry with more time to learn and for training your drivers on the ins and outs of your new ELD system. Waiting for the deadline will mean fighting the potential backlog at the service facilities, so it may be best to beat the rush and find a facility that will install your equipment as early as possible. Having a ELOG/ELD system installed and connected to your commercial vehicles can increase your productivity, by removing the headache of administrative work, providing options to monitor the status of your drivers and more. Automated records leave fewer issues for the driver to think about so they can focus on driving instead of trying to remember the last time the log was maintained or how many minutes are left on the clock before the next required rest stop or shift reset. Improving safety for commercial drivers is the primary objective of the ELD mandate. With the mandate in place, the goal is to reduce driver fatigue, and accidents and manage Hours of Service (HoS) considerations. ELDs will make driving safer for everyone on the road. They accomplish this in more ways than the obvious benefit of helping to enforce a limit on the number of hours CMV drivers spend behind the wheel. The system keeps accurate records of the hours spent driving to ensure your drivers aren’t fatigued in order to keep them safe and compliant. Keeping records digitally minimizes the risk of data loss, as well as minimizing your cabinet filing space. The ELD mandate applies to federally regulated carriers, which means over 250,000 commercial vehicles. This means that transportation businesses that operate across more than one province will lie under federal jurisdiction; meanwhile, operations within one province will classify as provincial jurisdiction. Many provinces now require the use of an ELOG/ELD.The Canadian ELD mandate requires non-exempt commercial vehicles to use a certified ELD. There are limited exemptions in place, such as vehicle models dated 2000 or earlier due to the fact that they are not equipped with engine control. Currently, provincial regulations are left up to each province to decide if they want to implement the hardware into their commercial vehicles.

September 20, 2022 No Comments

DIVERSIFIED // DTI PARTNER ON HYDROGEN-CONVERSION SYSTEM

Diversified Transportation Partners with Diesel Tech Industries (DTI) to Implement Innovative Hydrogen-Conversion System Access to safe and reliable transportation is an essential service in our modern society, and providing that resource to customers in a responsible and sustainable way has never been more important. The Canadian government has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, ensuring that the transportation sector must play a vital role in enabling the transition to a low-carbon global economy. DTI Guardian Hydrogen Fuel System Will Power Diversified’s Employee Motorcoaches Diversified Transportation is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which is why we have partnered with Diesel Tech Industries, an Edmonton-based company with 20 years of driving innovative technology in the transportation technology field. Earlier this year, DTI launched the Guardian Hydrogen-Conversion System, which can take an existing diesel engine and add an adaptation so it can accept hydrogen as a secondary fuel source. This product aligns with DTI’s ongoing vision of sustaining a healthy environment while simultaneously meeting customers’ needs. Benefits of Implementing the Guardian Hydrogen-Conversion System The most significant upside of implementing this new technology is the ability to retrofit Diversified’s existing diesel engines. This not only makes them immediately more cost-effective by reducing diesel fuel consumption, but it also ensures a positive environmental impact. This groundbreaking system utilizes hydrogen, a more self-sustaining and effective fuel that provides incredibly clean emissions. The Guardian Hydrogen-Conversion System also generates an online database, where reports can be viewed for multiple purposes, such as: Greenhouse Gas Emission Reports Fleet Management International Fuel Tax Agreement Reporting Budgeting Regulatory Bodies Identified Problem in the Trucking Industry DTI is known in the trucking industry for innovative technologies. DTI is excited to be a part of the future of hydrogen in partnership with Diversified Transportation. As the world transitions to low carbon energy sources and the reduction of GHGs, the obstacles facing the industrial industries and transportation are numerous and significant. Our solution of the Guardian Hydrogen-Conversion System allows us to bridge the gap for companies and fleets to ensure they can maximize their existing fleet capital before looking at replacing either engines, trucks or other commercialized vehicles. “DTI is excited to work with PWT on decarbonizing the passenger transportation industry with our Guardian Hydrogen-Conversion System”, says Rebecca Goldsack, COO. Diversified Transportation is a great partner, and this partnership exemplifies DTIs dedication to providing solutions to customers. This partnership also reflects the desire to collaborate with companies that share the same ideals and efforts to reduce GHG emissions. Benefits of Partnering with Diversified Transportation Motorcoaches already have the lowest carbon footprint compared to cars, trains, or air travel. However, we strongly feel the industry should be leading the charge in the move to greener alternatives. At Diversified, we recognize the critical role the transportation sector plays in this sweeping global transition. Decarbonizing the motorcoach industry is a major priority, and we welcome partnerships that share our vision. About Diversified Transportation Diversified Transportation is part of the Pacific Western group of companies which is owned by Student Transportation of America, whose majority shareholder is CDPQ. Diversified provides school bus, employee, transit, and coach transportation services to customers throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Yukon. Diversified is excited to partner with DTI and work together towards net zero. About Diesel Tech Industries Diesel Tech Industries is a trusted and well-established company with close to 20 years in the transport industry technology field. Our continuous innovation has made us an industry leader not only in Alberta but globally in building vehicle-related electronic technology. Products like vehicle network interfacing modules and critical engine shutdown systems are all designed, manufactured, and assembled under one roof in Alberta. Media Contact: Dan Finley, Vice President Corporate Services, Pacific Western Transportation danf@corp.pwt.ca (403) 248-4300 ext 575 Source: https://www.pwt.ca/news/diversified-transportation-partners-with-diesel-tech-industries-dti-to-implement-innovative-hydrogen-conversion-system/?fbclid=IwAR28JhcfAhWDrh6OjUgO4sP8K3d4J59T-AnFf1nwjtNotQI9FYsGsGR2umA

September 14, 2022 No Comments

No more delays for Canadian ELD Mandate

Canada’s ELD mandate went into effect in June 2021 but there were some doubts among transportation officials regarding the timeline. This was due to many reasons including the third-party certification process. According to our updates from our government partners at the Alberta Motor Trucking Association (AMTA) and other associations, there will be no more delays in enforcement of the electronic logging device. This applies to federally regulated carriers and mandate will take effect on January 1, 2023. This will include provinces like Quebec, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland are committed to enforcing the ELD mandate by then. “All necessary Alberta legislation is in place to allow enforcement in January 2023. AMTA applauds the Alberta government for being ready for Federal HOS ELD enforcement in January 2023.” – Chris Nash – President of Alberta Motor Transport Association.

July 14, 2022 No Comments

Does your fleet need a dash cam?

Over the past decade, the transportation has seen a huge increase in technological advances. The latest being the ELD and becoming more available from different companies. Along with an ELD, some companies now offer a dashcam with their system. There are many benefits for having an add-on dashcam. These are just three top reasons why it can be an added benefit to your fleet. ROAD SAFETY The ELD mandate is not just about being compliant. Dashcams can protect and support the fleet in the event of a collision. Compliance and keeping truck drivers accountable to being safe on the road is another advantage. INSURANCE RATES BENEFITS Insurance companies are starting to create programs for truckers to reduce premiums with devices that help contribute to road safety. These include ELD and dashcams. DRIVER EXONERATION Dashcams are proving to be the equipment for defense against any fraudulent claims. Accident statements are sometimes fragmented and it is impossible to prove who’s lying. Recordings from the dashcam can be used in incident reviews and to prove that a driver is not at fault. The Guardian ELOG is one of our first innovations to improve the safety and efficiency for the transportation industry. We now offer a dashcam that works seamlessly with our Guardian ELOG if fleets want an additional safety feature. Contact us for a free demo of our dashcam with the Guardian ELOG more info

July 13, 2022 No Comments

How much money are you actually paying for your ELD device?

Our PRicing Many fleets are now rushing to get ready for the compliance of the transport ELD mandate. Some are purchasing ELDs and only considering visible costs as the key factor for choosing an ELD system. It’s natural for fleets to lean towards trying to save costs by bringing their own device or purchasing stand alone tablets. We break down how much a company is paying out purchasing their own tablet as opposed to committing to an ELD provider. An 8.7″ 4g tablet will cost you around $270 without the rugged case to protect it. A generic shock and scratch proof rugged case is also needed to protect your investment and the cost would start around $90. Additionally, a company would also need a tablet mount to be able to have the tablet sit safely in the vehicle. The starting costs of a generic one would also be $90. Not to mention compatibility performance. Not all devices will have the same performance. Not all will have the same operating system. Some may have bluetooth versions that are older and less reliable for connecting to the truck’s ECM. Another hidden expense that some companies fail to advertise is the simplicity of the fleet management software. You want to be able to operate your fleet management software so there’s no need to have experts on staff or need to recruit one. Guardian ELD was designed to be user friendly with your fleet in mind. It’s engineered Inhouse and backed up by tech support team. All of which is available to your company at no additional cost. Guardian ELD is Transport Canada and FMCSA certified tablet with no hidden fees or hassles. We priced it so that it’s an affordable option for all sizes of fleet management. Ask us how we can help you save thousands with our All-in one pricing.

July 6, 2022 No Comments

Things to ask your ELD Supplier

The Enforcement deadline for The Canadian ELD Mandate is set for June 2022. While there are many ELD providers to choose from, there are some important questions to ask prior to purchasing. 1. Will you adapt/modify/program your ELD to be compliant with Canadian ELD and HOS rules? All ELD providers should be going through an extensive process of being certified with Transport Canada. The adaptation from a paperless to an ELD device is not a simple task. It can take several months. Find out what our process was like from our last blog post. 2. If so, what are their plans to get third-party certification? Have they applied for certification? 3. Have they signed a contract and submitted devices for testing? 4. How does the ELD connect to the vehicle? Confirm with your ELD provider if the device is through the ECM with a plug and play port or hardwires directly into the ECM harness. This is important as the accuracy of your logs depends on this. 5. How User friendly is the ELD? It’s important that the tablet is user-friendly. You want to ease the transition from paperless to an electronic logging device. You want your drivers to be comfortable and knowledgeable of their devices to ensure that they are operating in compliance. 6. What other added benefits do they have to offer? The ability to customize, fuel performance, operational features their ELD provides are just some to ask. Prices may vary with the ELDs in the market so make sure you are asking the right questions and inquire what the other safety and operational features their ELD provides. While there are many ELD providers to choose from, there are some important questions to ask prior to purchasing. 1. Will you adapt/modify/program your ELD to be compliant with Canadian ELD and HOS rules? All ELD providers should be going through an extensive process of being certified with Transport Canada. The adaptation from a paperless to an ELD device is not a simple task. It can take several months. Find out what our process was like from our last blog post. 2. If so, what are their plans to get third-party certification? Have they applied for certification? Transport Canada has an rigorous process to qualify an ELD third party certified. This is to ensure that the ELDs are completely compliant and error free logs. 3. Have they signed a contract and submitted devices for testing? This goes back to the Transport Canada rules and regulations certification process. Not all ELD providers will have a contract and submitted devices for testing. 4. How does the ELD connect to the vehicle? Confirm with your ELD provider if the device is through the ECM with a plug and play port or hardwires directly into the ECM harness. This is important as the accuracy of your logs depends on this. 5. How User friendly is the ELD? It’s important that the tablet is user-friendly. You want to ease the transition from paperless to an electronic logging device. You want your drivers to be comfortable and knowledgeable of their devices to ensure that they are operating in compliance. 6. What other added benefits do they have to offer? The ability to customized, fuel performance, operational feature their ELD provides are just some to ask. Prices may vary with the ELDs in the market so make sure you are asking the right questions and inquire what the other safety and operational features their ELD provides.

December 10, 2021 No Comments

Ontario will adopt the ELD mandate for all carriers

As many of you know, the mandate of an ELD requirement has been in effect since June of 2021. Ontario is building on this mandate and for inter- and intra-provincial carriers effective June 12, 2022 they are required to use a certified ELD. While many may think there’s still plenty of time, Ontario recommends researching some ELD options to prepare an adopt the ELD mandate now. As of right now, there are only 6 certified ELDs accredited third-party certification body approved by Transport Canada. Contact one of our representatives to learn more about our Guardian ELOG.

November 5, 2021 No Comments

This Thanksgiving, Thank a Trucker

Thanksgiving weekend is upon us and we want to take this time to give thanks to the truckers around the country. Truckers play such a vital role in keeping the Canadian economy thriving. It goes unheeded, but holidays like thanksgiving depend heavily on the trucking industry. We want to thank all the drivers and everyone in the trucking industry who make our holidays possible. Truckers deliver almost all our daily needs. Thanksgiving almost always means there’s turkey involved. Turkeys, stuffings, mashed potatoes , you name it – all of which is delivered by trucks. More people celebrating means more deliveries need to be made. All the goods that we sometimes may take for granted and go unnotice, but are made available to us because of a trucker. Not only do drivers have extensive duties and responsibilities such as driving for extended periods of time, logging hours, but also faced with a wide assortment of dangers every day. Here at Diesel Tech, we appreciate all the truckers and their dedication. We encourage all of you to take a few minutes to say the next time you see a truck driver at a gas station for all they do.

October 7, 2021 No Comments

Celebrate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Formerly known as Orange Shirt Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be celebrated on September 30th all throughout Canada. This day provides us all an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools. The day was created as a day for Canadians to reflect on the history of the brutal residential school system in the country and how it impacted the First Nations communities nationwide. Honoring the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities on September 30. Don’t forget to wear your orange shirt today to commemorate the tragic and painful history that’s still impacting residential schools. The Indigenous community has been overlooked for centuries. As their women continue to go missing and murdered, we continue to find the bodies of innocent children in unmarked graves. They have been silenced for too long and nows the time that we come together as allies to help uplift their voices.

September 30, 2021 No Comments

Press Release – DTI Guardian ELOG is officially Transport Canada Certified

Diesel Tech Industries is excited to announce the Guardian ELOG has been Officially Certified by COMDriver Tech an Accredited Certification Body. Our ELD solution has been published with Transport Canada. In addition to being FMSCA Approved in the USA, the Guardian ELOG has successfully completed over 400+ testing procedures, DTI is happy to report that we have passed all of these tests with flying colors. The Guardian ELOG by Diesel Tech Industries is 3rd Party Certified in Canada. Guardian ELOG Certification Date 08/23/2021, ELD Certification # 6T02 Based in Edmonton and working directly with our international Dealer Network and several industry leading partners, including all levels of government, we understand our market and can anticipate the needs of the transport industry. DTI’s catalogue of development includes the Guardian EPASS, Guardian ELOG, Guardian Turbo Timer, Guardian ECM Interface, Guardian ECM Simulator and Guardian Clockr. Additionally, Diesel Tech Truck Repair Ltd. is a 15 bay diesel repair shop equipped to service light and heavy-duty equipment, anything from quick repairs or tuning to a complete engine rebuild. Our multidisciplinary, in-house team is filled with technical specialists and engineers. We take pride that our team members, from firmware developers to mechanical engineers, have real-world prototyping experience. Having taken all of Diesel Tech Industries products from development to production, and ultimately to market. We are scalable and ready to meet the demands of several projects, simultaneously. Our core values are deeply rooted in driving innovation through the advancement of technology. Diesel Tech Industries was founded on the ideals of Compliance, Functionality, and the Sharpening of platforms to an ever-changing industry. Call 780.455.9876 Email info@35.183.69.7 support@35.183.69.7

August 24, 2021 No Comments

Synergy of women and new technologies in transport

Every day more women can be seen working in areas that could previously be considered only suitable “for men.” One of them is the transport industry, where women are increasingly involved and which also makes it clear that transport can be efficiently led by both men and women. For many years, sectors such as construction or transportation had “limited” in some way the participation of women due to prejudices and sociocultural stereotypes. In the transport sector, for example, there have been many excuses for hiring a man instead of a woman: the typical stigmatizing phrase “is that women drive worse” or “is that they take a long time to load and unload”, mere reasons pronounced by inertia and manners that lack real and truthful meaning. Some excuses usually cover up a defense of the family burden for the woman. For example, “going off the road” comes to mean something like carelessness of the family due to the lack of established schedules and prejudices derived from these due to the fact of carrying out a night job and alone. These social prejudices based mainly on the “lack of physical strength” are not marked by sex but by the capacity of the individual. Technologies such as the Guardian ELOG implemented in this transport industry that are designed for their equal management of gender (by men and by women) demonstrate that more than physical strength, what is required is skill and dexterity, so it is only a problem cultural. However, as we have commented before, the balance is positive, every day there are more women who break these nonsensical stereotypes and seek their place in transport. In the new generations, there is a positive trend regarding the insertion of women in the freight transport sector, both nationally and internationally. Although the transport union is still dominated by men and only 6% of the industry is represented by women. In relation to the characteristics that they attribute to women, the businessmen of this industry highlight virtues neatness and delicacy, discipline, tolerance for routine work, efficiency, concentration and responsibility, adaptability and ability to establish human relationships, honesty, commitment, and loyalty. Finally, we want to highlight the role played by women not only in the transport of goods but in other industries related to it. As we all know, March 8 is International Women’s Day, and at Diesel Tech Industries we join in the recognition for all women in general and in particular all those who are part of and contribute to the improvement of the transportation industry.

March 5, 2021 No Comments

ELDs = Less Headaches & More Savings

Let’s face it, ELDs are going to take some getting used to. The industry has been using some form of paper-logs for over 80 years and transitioning will certainly be challenging for seasoned drivers and rookies alike. Something to think about… Many of us have gotten used to things the way they are; like any business, transport companies and independent drivers anticipate some financial losses. It’s usually chalked up to the price of doing business, whether it’s an accounting error or disputes regarding pick-ups or drop-offs. This reminds me of a story a driver, using the Guardian ELOG, once told me. The Driver, for privacy reasons we’ll call him Cooper. Well, Cooper was contracted by a company, that we’ll refer to as Ubiquitous Equipment, to transport one of their machines. Being the experienced transport specialist that he is, Cooper had no problem agreeing to the contract. Ubi Equip’s employees at Site “A” were efficient at loading, strapping, and battening down, as they made the great machine ready for the perilous journey to Site “B”. With his itinerary planned and the course set, Cooper began his trek from A to B. Our hero traversed the countryside across highway after highway. The snow-hooded mountains loomed in the distance as cooper followed the winding blacktop that seemed to go on forever and disappear into the horizon. Before long these views were filed away in the memories of voyages past. When Cooper made it through the directing, unloading, and filing at Site B, his delivery was complete. The resulting invoice from Cooper’s tour de force noted the travel time and distance including the intervals required for Ubiquitous Equipment to load and unload their precious cargo. It was at this point in the story that a conflict arose, it seemed that U.E.’s record of the pick-up, which was a paper log, did not match what was invoiced. The dispute was that Cooper had overcharged the company, by invoicing time at the pick-up location that was considerably longer than what U.E. had on their paper record. Ordinarily, a dispute of this nature would have been argued over and ultimately gone in favour of the customer and not the transport professional. The only scenario benefiting a driver would most likely be negotiating the dispute to split the difference with the customer, which would still be a loss for the driver. ELD to the rescue! This dispute was resolved easily in a matter of minutes. By showing his automatic and incorruptible electronic log, Cooper was effortlessly able to prove when, where and how long, he was at the pick-up location. The accuracy and efficiency of the ELD removed all doubts, eliminating the need to negotiate through the dispute. In the end, Cooper’s invoice was paid in full without protest. Innovation and change can make anyone apprehensive, especially for those of us who have become accustomed to doing our work in a particular way and may resist new technology. Sometimes, the best way to handle adapting to the latest technology trends is to take it one step at a time. A good first step would be to acknowledge the many cost-saving benefits of ELD. Chat with an industry peer or transport professional, stories like Coopers’ are a dime a dozen.

March 3, 2021 No Comments

Thank you, Truck Drivers

Canada is a vast and unique country, as Canadians, we share a pride and admiration for the qualities of this great place. These things that make our country great are also the things that present some considerable challenges. Many of us have endured the stress of a long drive or the anxiety behind meeting a deadline or making an appointment safely. Now think about these concepts as playing an integral part in your job. Truck Drivers face these challenges every day. If you got it, A truck Brought it! These Soldiers of behind the scene logistics champion the responsibilities that drive our nation. From the restocking of shelves to emergency relief supplies, our truckers are there for us. Vital medical and sanitation supplies rely on distribution throughout the country, our truckers are there for us. The trucking industry may be a different front line than the medical field, during this pandemic, it can be measured at equal importance. The advancement and security of all aspects of our contemporary society rely heavily on the sophistication and implementation of a modern supply chain. And the integrity of said supply chain is the responsibility of the Professional Driver. Let’s all thank our truck drivers in as many ways as we can, whether it’s with a “thank you!” at the pumps or buying one a coffee in the drive-through. Even by simply following the rules of the road and being aware of our surroundings, we will be showing these important men and women our respect and thanks.

February 2, 2021 No Comments

Why Is An ELD With A Dedicated Tablet Convenient?

Using a separate device with apps or software for an electronic logbook are not fully optimizing the use of their ELD. They are actually limiting the capacity of its original functions and defeats the purpose of an electronic logging device. It has become a trend for some companies to allow drivers to use their cell phone for personal use, as well as run an ELD (electronic log) application in order to comply with the hours of service. What they don’t know is that they are sacrificing the capacity of the functions of their device. This includes using up memory, the battery, and receiving phone calls in a timely manner. In the case of drivers who are assigned an extra second cellular device to run the ELD application, they face the risk that it will turn out to be an additional distraction by having to differentiate between their personal phone and the one assigned to them. Police across Canada say that distracted driving has caused more collisions than impaired drivers (ICBC, 2016). Operators who drive accompanied by a dedicated tablet for the exclusive use of the ELD functions report a greater sense of security in their work while driving, from the simple fact that in most cases they do not have to worry about the duration of the battery, or simply because a tablet is less likely to be lost. A tablet houses all the necessary components to function autonomously, its usefulness being greater than that of a mobile phone and sometimes close to that of a laptop, resulting in its simple and efficient portability. The biggest advantage of having a tablet is the fact that they work perfectly as specialized work tools. With a tablet, you can access the Internet from anywhere, download and store files, create folders, share documents from the computer or mobile phone to the tablet and one of the benefits that users highlight is the visual comfort they get from being able to count on a larger screen than any mobile device. Also having a dedicated ELD “Guardian ELOG” tablet allows the driver to have easy access to it at any time. It’s easily accessible on it’s stand that’s installed on the vehicle’s dashboard. It also includes a specialized material sleeve that allows greater resistance in the event of a fall. Though we can assure you that the tablet is safe and secure when it’s placed on the stand, accidents can take place anytime. Guardian Device Care can also be added to your plan for extended benefits. REQUEST A DEMO

January 22, 2021 No Comments

ELDs, Who’s Exempt? Things to Consider….

There are eight classes of commercial motor vehicles in North America, and they’re divided into three, more general categories: light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty. This wide variety of commercial transport is far-reaching and includes an even wider variety of industries. Required guidelines from one industry to another can vary quite a bit. It stands to reason that there would be some exemptions to the upcoming Canadian ELD Mandate. According to the Canada Gazette, commercial vehicles will be exempt from needing ELDs if they: Operate under a specific permit issued Have a statutory exemption Are subject to a rental agreement with terms under 30 days Operate a vehicle that was manufactured before 2000 There are also some truckers who will be exempt from using ELDs in Canada, including those who fall under the short-haul exemption and don’t drive outside of a 160km radius of their home terminal. What to Consider… On the surface, companies that fall within the exemption would probably see some immediate benefits. Not being required to incur the expense of purchasing, installing, and training of ELDs certainly has an appeal. Also, the logistics of transitioning to this new platform can be challenging. There are 2 very significant points to consider even when a company is exempt from the ELD Mandate. ELD’s are so much more than just electronic logbooks. There is a tremendous amount of useful data provided by, even the most, basic ELD options. Telematics like: GPS Tracking, Fuel Management Tracking, Engine Performance, and Document Management can be valuable to any company and not just those required to use an ELD. The cost-saving and efficiency benefits implied by these features shouldn’t be ignored by any fleet. The trend of technology influencing and replacing our historically accepted traditions cannot be overlooked. A federal mandate, requiring electronic logging devices, is just the beginning. Shifting away from paper logs will continue into all parts of the transport industry. We will soon be seeing Provincial and Municipal legislation mirroring the Federal Canadian ELD Mandate. It would be reasonable to infer that the move to ELDs will make it’s way to any operation or business that employs a fleet of vehicles. ELD technology is quickly becoming a way of life in the trucking industry. Yes, some companies are exempt from the official regulations, however, is this exemption simply delaying the next logical step? Like the mass production of the personal computer in the 1980s and the impact on typewriters being used in offices around the globe. Paper-log books of any kind will soon be recognized as outdated “technology”

January 7, 2021 No Comments

How ELD’s Can lower Insurance Premiums

Anytime you talk insurance it always comes down to Risk mitigation and making sure you have done your do diligence. Drivers who use ELDs have significantly lower crash rate than drivers who don’t. Fewer crashes mean lower insurance premiums. The ability to reduce liability when accidents occur is a potential that ELDs can lower insurance premiums. An individual involved in a vehicle accident can claim that a company was negligent and at fault. If an HOS violation is identified, a company may be responsible for the damages. The implementation of ELDs help minimize the risk and prove that there was no negligence if accidents do take place. Manual logs most often than not, don’t include enough information to prove that a driver was not at fault. ELDs eliminate messy logbooks and make it possible to prove that a crash was not a result of a preventable safety violation or negligence. Electronic logging devices pay for themselves many times over in terms of maintaining affordable insurance premiums. We designed Guardian ELOG with all of this in mind. Our team implemented date stamps of when inspections were completed so that drivers are kept accountable showing records for both the driver and vehicle. The Electronic logging devices just provide the insurance industry additional data to consider when determining risk models. This information has to be provided by the insurer. Our Guardian ELOG provide the Real Time location showing speed, time, and date so that you have a history trail of what time you were things. There’s no way to manipulate or change records as the logs are automatic and information taken directly from the engine of the vehicle. Guess work is also eliminated and operators can’t record information from two weeks prior. Ultimately a underwritter will be able to get the full picture on your fleet and be able to have greater accountability if anything was to arise. Not only does this technology makes our roads safer, it is also a simple way to get accurate information to the insurance provider. Learn what the Guardian ELOG can do for you. Contact someone from our team to help you with your fleet’s needs.

December 16, 2020 No Comments

ELD Contract vs No contract

The Canadian Technical Standard for Electronic Logging Devices is supposed to tell us about how ELD’s are to function. Of course, the 90 page technical standards document includes a hodgepodge of specifications and requirements. A key function is that these devices will be required to transfer their data. The ability to transfer said data MUST be, but not limited to, via USB, Bluetooth, and EMAIL. ELD’s must also be equipped with Geo-Location. Geo-Location and the ability to email data would absolutely require some sort of Network Access. Giving rise to the old, contract vs. pay as you go debate. I will do my best to apply this debate to ELDs. Pre-Paid / No Contract The PROS: Essentially one would only be paying for the service one is using. This contest has been presented mostly in the arena of personal mobile devices. As such the terms that fall in the “pro” category are tailored to that market. For instance, the idea of big savings with a pay as you go plan does not track as easily in the ELD market. Many companies are offering a lower monthly data fee for ELDs on a contract plan. The most relevant “Pro” is that there would be more flexibility on the terms of service and the ability to break off service at any time. In my opinion, this is moot. Considering there is already a government mandate in the US and a separate government mandate coming to Canada in 2021 requiring ELDs. The ELD service is mandatory consequently it is in a companies best interest to maintain a single service plan or not jump from one to another frequently. On the surface, there is certainly an appeal to the flexibility and control offered by a service plan without a contract. There is also something to be said about who holds more power in the transaction. Being able to break off service at any time, consequently puts more cards in the hands of the purchaser when negotiating the terms of service. And the larger the fleet the further the ability to bargain shifts in favour of the purchaser. The CONS: The drawbacks of not signing a contract or agreeing to a termed service plan should not be ignored. The most widely understood scenario is that upfront costs are substantially more. Many services plans will roll the cost of a device or activation into the contract and stretch said cost over the term. Purchasing an ELD can go either way. A larger upfront cost may be easy to handle for a smaller fleet, however, a large fleet would easily identify the advantages of smaller upfront costs and spreading these costs over the term of a contract. There is also a definite fear that a purchaser may receive sub-par network access and/or customer service. Or at least priority access would be given to those on a contract. Contract Plans The PROS: The Benefits of a contract plan directly offsets the ideas of pre-paid or no-contract plans. Lower upfront costs can give larger fleets significant budget advantages. Buying into a plan and showing commitment for a predetermined time, seems to go along way in the realm of customer service. When buying into a network commitment the goal is to guarantee priority network access. Ensuring the network access is secure and constant when operating an ELD, is a top priority. The Transportation industry, in many of its forms, is notably rugged. Consequently, the durability of an ELD will be put to the test. One big “Pro”, probably one of the most beneficial, is the option of device insurance or a maintenance care plan, that many service providers with or in addition to, a contract. Let’s face it, ELDs are going to break. Whether they’re dropped, cracked, bent, soaked or scratched, ELDs will always face risks in an industry that exists alongside hazards. Peace of mind will go a long way. All of these benefits can be combined together in a fixed cost over the entire term of the contract, allowing companies to budget with confidence. The CONS: Where there are contracts there is usually some sort of compromise and service providers certainly ask for their share of these. Of course, by signing a contract a purchaser has restrictions when it comes to cancelling or pausing service. Many of the “cons” surrounding a contract-based service plan directly affect the personal use industry. Things like fewer device choices or Multiple fees/activation or data fees really don’t apply to ELDs. ELD requirements are straight forward, they don’t leave to much room for providers to hide behind restrictions and fees. Ultimately, it’s a matter of security vs freedom. ELDs are here to stay, the only choice is “do I want to ensure my compliance with the security of a contract?” or “do I want freedom and flexibility at the risk and price of no contract?”

December 11, 2020 No Comments

Understand Personal Conveyance & Yard Moves

The Canadian ELD mandate is fast approaching, with full compliance expected by June 12th, 2021. Before then, it’s time we fully familiarize ourselves with a couple of special categories under the American and Canadian versions of the ELD mandate. Personal Conveyance We explored this a little bit in our post “Differences Between U.S. And Canadian ELD Mandates” but we didn’t cover the full story. Personal Conveyance (PC) refers to any movement of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for personal use. This means for a PC move to be valid, it cannot be for the purpose of commercial profit to the driver or the motor carrier. That’s the basics, but there’s some nuance in terms of how Canada and the U.S. implement and regulate PC. USA The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the agency in charge of regulating the trucking industry in the United States, has historically been laxer in terms of their regulations. This has translated to their interpretation of personal conveyance. In the U.S., personal conveyance is pretty simple. If you have been relieved of all work and work responsibilities then your truck, trailer and/or load can be used for personal reasons. There is no time, distance or load restrictions. Examples of valid Personal Conveyance in the U.S.: Driving between drivers residence and reporting location/drop lots Driving to find services and facilities. Such as restaurants, leisure facilities, residences and lodgings. Transporting personal property Examples of invalid Personal Conveyance in the U.S.: Driving for the purpose of improving operational efficiency or readiness. This means anything that would potentially be used to improve the profitability of the motor carrier Driving to a repair facility or mechanics shop for vehicle maintenance/repairs. Time in between loading/unloading and a terminal CANADA Transport Canada had a different idea when it came to Personal Conveyance. In Canada, the restrictions on how truck drivers can maintain PC are more strict. For example, Canadian drivers are limited to driving 75 kilometres a day for personal conveyance (note: this does not mean Canadian drivers can drive freely within a 75km radius. It means 75 total kilometres travelled). There are also some requirements in terms of recording. At the start and end of the “workday”, drivers are required to record their odometer reading, subtracting the difference between on-duty Hours of Service and off-duty Personal Conveyance. This number must be recorded for upcoming inspections. Additionally, there’s an added layer of inconvenience for Canadian drivers. CMVs working in Canada must also unhitch their load for any driving to be counted as PC over on-duty hours. Whereas CMV’s working in the U.S. have no such requirement and can drive for PC with their load attached. Presumably, this measure was included to reduce the risk of motor carriers taking advantage of or coercing their drivers to use PC time for work-related purposes. Although it presents a rather large administrative and operational hurdle for trucking operations in Canada. Examples of valid Personal Conveyance in Canada: Driving between drivers residence and reporting location/drop lots within 37.5km (since you’ll also need to travel back) Driving to find services and facilities. Such as restaurants, leisure facilities, residences and lodgings with NO load or trailer attached. Transporting personal property that is not using a trailer or other related work-equipment. Examples of invalid Personal Conveyance in Canada: Driving to lodging or residence that is 50km away from your reporting location. Driving to find services and facilities. Such as restaurants, leisure facilities, residences and lodgings WITH a load or trailer attached. Transporting personal property and using a trailer or other related work-equipment to do so. YARD MOVES Yard moves are basically those moments when a truck is technically moving and is being “driven” but it is not “going anywhere”. Meaning it has arrived at its destination (for the time being at least), but it needs to move within that destination to load, unload or perform some other work-related task. In a yard move, distance travel is recorded as on-duty but is not taken off of a driver’s “drivable” hours. This means that although a yard move is not counted towards “drive time” it is counted within a drivers ”time limit” of working hours. This is because a driver is technically still working while performing a yard move, even if their work at the time isn’t driving from point A to point B. Since the primary reason for the ELD mandates is to improve safety for the driver and public (from exhaustion), this measure is aligned with that goal. Guardian ELOG The Guardian ELOG ELD has been designed to ensure easy implementation and use by drivers and fleet managers alike. The Guardian Elog uses an independent Guardian Tablet as the ELD interface, automating most functionalities and requiring very little input from drivers. Allowing them to use Personal Conveyance or Yard Move statuses with ease. If your fleet is looking to switch to ELDs before June 12th, 2021, we’re here to help. Get in touch with one of our fleet specialists today.

December 4, 2020 No Comments

THE IMPORTANCE OF AN ELD WITH THE CROSS-BORDER CAPABILITY

North America is one of the most dynamic commercial regions in the world. Just about a quarter of the region’s total trade is between the three signatory countries. The reported trade balance reported by this region for 2019 was $ 176 million dollars. Mexico, USA and Canada allow International Freight Transportation Services under the North American Free Trade Agreement (USMCA) for the transfer of cargo. Ratification of the current USMCA free trade agreement promises to facilitate trade interaction between the Canadian, US and Mexican markets, reduce bureaucracy and costs at the borders, and thereby increase the predictability of cross-border transactions. While it is true that this COVID-19 pandemic situation has diminished in global economic activity in recent months, the reality is that the transportation industry has turned out to be one of the key industries for the support and gradual recovery of world trade. Crisis do not always mean difficulties, they can also mean opportunities for those who decide to prepare and equip themselves to face them. The Guardian ELOG has the ability to offer cross-border transportation services for an efficient and compliant transition. The efficiency in the logistics will be determined anytime any of their drivers are required to show their driving log by a traffic officer regardless of the country. The accuracy of where they are at that time will clearly make Guardian ELOG stand out from our competitors. With the Guardian ELOG being a dedicated tablet, the connectivity between the truck, the operations center and the competent authority of the jurisdiction where it is operating will be the key to the successful operation of across borderland transport services.

December 2, 2020 No Comments

ELD Costs – A Canadian Perspective

As the Canadian ELD mandate draws close to its implementation date of June 12th, 2021. The commercial trucking industry has been preparing for widespread adoption. That’s why it’s important to understand the costs associated with adopting electronic logging devices. According to The Government of Canada, operation expenses (indirect expenses) are responsible for ~65% of total revenues, with a net profit of 14% of revenues. These are relatively slim margins to operate on. Especially if you own or manage a large fleet with hundreds of trucks and drivers. The use of ELDs has multiple costs associated with it. Although it’s possible these new (ELD) costs will eat into profits, that is not necessarily the case. Both Transport Canada (TC) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) claim that the financial benefits from the adoption of ELDs will not only offset the additional costs but will ultimately save firms even more money due to the efficiency benefits of ELDs. Improving the overall profit margins for most fleets and the industry as a whole. ELD Costs Not all ELDs are created equal. There are many ways in which ELDs can differ from one another. From the actual ELD product, to the service you receive from the provider, and the pricing model. Understanding these differences is key to adopting ELDs in your fleet. Many ELD providers, especially the larger ones, offer a “low-cost” option that is anything but. Typically these providers will advertise low monthly pricing options. However, what many fleet managers soon discover is that there are many hidden costs associated with these perceived “affordable” options. Contracts The most notable and apparent cost is mandatory long-term contracts. The most popular term is 3-years, where the costs associated with devices and service are amortized over the course of those 3 years. The downside is that the service (both on purchase and subsequently) provided by these large corporations is severely lacking. This is because your fleet is now locked into a long-term contract, there is no incentive to maintain your loyalty as a customer. Nor is there any incentive to help your fleet install and implement ELDs, as your monthly fees are guaranteed. Additionally, under these models, the advertising price is often deceptive. Although the monthly fees are lower and more attractive, the mandatory 3-year contract means that you end up paying more per device than you would under a shorter-term contract (or no contract at all). One-Size-Fits All The reason why these large providers are able to produce low-cost ELDs is that they operate under a “one-size fits all” model. Designing their ELD’s to fit in the most standard commercial motor vehicle (CMV) configurations. But not all fleets or CMVs are the same. Many trucks require custom solutions and custom integrations with existing tools and software. On the administrative side of things, many fleets require different billing procedures than those provided by large-corporate ELD suppliers. For Canadian fleets, this is particularly important. As all of these large ELD suppliers are based in the U.S., meaning they bill in U.S. dollars. This means that Canadian fleets must account for the variations in the exchange rate between the U.S. and Canadian dollar. Increasing operating costs and adding a level of uncertainty to the fleet operations. Features Another way that large ELD providers cut costs, is by reducing the amount of features available to the fleet manager or driver. For instance, many features (such as idling reports, MPG measurements, engine fault codes, workflows, and others) that are standard in most ELDs are left out of these affordable options. However, due to the differences in the US and ELD mandates, Canadian fleet managers do not have the luxury of forgoing features. As the cost of not being 100% compliant with the ELD mandate could be more impactful than the savings a cheaper ELD provides. Device Costs The final way that ELD providers cut costs is by developing or whitelisting an ELD software that uses the personal device of the driver (in the form of an app that relays to a hardwired device in the truck’s engine). The data received by the in-engine module is transmitted to the driver’s smart device, thus bypassing the need for a dedicated ELD device and reducing upfront costs. This means that the divers’ phone must be compatible with the chosen ELD app. And if you own a smartphone, you know that app compatibility from device to device (and operating system to operating system) can be unreliable. Opening up the possibility for the driver or fleet manager to be in a situation where they need to purchase a new (and compatible) smart-device to properly use the app. Thus increasing costs significantly (smartphones and tablets aren’t cheap). The final thing to consider is that these ELD solutions require that the user’s phone be “on” and the app be active. Draining data, battery and severely reducing the life of the phone. This would require the driver to replace their smartphone significantly more often, increasing the cost for the fleet manager or driver. That’s not even factoring in the extra data costs. And in Canada those data costs are considerable when compared to American counterparts. Guardian ELOG The Guardian Elog was designed by our in-house team of engineers to be the perfect custom ELD solution. Balancing affordability with functionality, along with transparency. Providing reliable, affordable, and easy-to-use ELD solutions. Our pricing model is “what you see is what you get” or as we like to call it, “all-in-one pricing”. There’s no hidden activation, registration or administrative fees. Additionally, we bill in Canadian Dollars, so our fleets won’t have to play the exchange-rate guessing game. And to make things even more affordable for our Canadian fleet managers. We are offering an optional 3 year extended warranty. At the end of your warranty term, you will have the option to purchase additional devices at a reduced rate. We are a Canadian company serving Canadian fleets of any size. Ensure your fleet’s compliance and get in touch today. Get

November 27, 2020 No Comments

DTI is more than an ELD

How many ELD Providers really do more than just an ELD? How many of these companies understand the industry from the drivers or mechanics perspective? Electronic Logging Devices are at the forefront of everyone’s mind at the moment, this makes it easy to overlook the rest of DTI. Yes, Diesel Tech Industries, has spent over 2 years engineering and designing our Electronic Logging Device or ELOG from the ground up. DTI’s Guardian ELOG has been designed as a mobile technology platform that provides comprehensive solutions for all electronic logging needs. DTI is so much more! Our humble beginnings are rooted directly in innovation in the trucking and equipment industry. This practical and unique perspective, gained from drivers and mechanics has allowed for a revolutionary advancement in safety technology. In January of 2018, government regulations came into effect requiring all diesel engines on highway tanks to be equipped with a positive air shutdown device for the prevention of an engine runaway. DTI had already been producing a system for more than 10 years before this and was well equipped with a Game Changer. The Guardian EPASS (Emergency Positive Air Shutdown System) is the answer to the tightening of government regulations and corporate safety policies. Now, these systems are becoming more important to everyone’s safety. Check it out here: https://dtiguardian.com/guardianepass/ Throughout the equipment and trucking industries, we have noticed that improper engine terminations, immediate shutdowns or “hot stops” can severely hinder an engine’s performance. Without a timed shutdown protocol, engine emission systems risk being flooded with fault codes. Also, in many scenarios, dealers have made it clear to customers that any turbo in need of repair due to operators not allowing the engine to cool down before they killed the engine, would not be covered by the factory warranty. The Guardian Turbo Timer eliminates the need to rely on operators to follow proper shutdown protocols. By ensuring emission systems and turbos are running at optimal operation you can have peace of mind that you are doing everything you can to preserve the health of the engine over the lifespan of your machine. https://dtiguardian.com/turbotimer/ The road is long and DTI will always be along for the ride!

November 25, 2020 No Comments

3rd Party Certification, What you need to know.

There are heaps of information floating around regarding Electronic Logging Devices in Canada. Some of this information is accurate and some is not. Misleading info such as, ELD’s rostered on the FMCSA in the United States will be Grandfathered into the Canadian ELD mandate, this is NOT the case. Or even that Single-truck operations or operations with less than 10 vehicles are exempt. There is NO exemption based on fleet size in the ELD mandate. My personal favourite piece of false information is ” 3rd party certification just a onetime stamp” or “it’s just a formality”. Contrary to what many people out there, believe, the concept of 3rd Party Certification is more important and more thorough than these people realize. The Canadian ELD Mandate’s 3rd party certification program covers a four year period. Once the initial certification is complete the Standards Council of Canada requires periodic assessment of each certified ELD model to a minimum of 25% of the test plan plus additional functions as required. The focus of each review will be as follows: Year 1 – ELD record sampling. Year 2 – HOS auditing and additional ELD functions. Year 3 – Assessment of changes to the standards or regulations, client interface, or administrative functions. Year 4 – Recertification. This 4-year standard is a performance-based curriculum. The codes and specifications set forth will be measured on the ability to demonstrate ongoing proficiency. What does this mean for me? We can all agree that ELD’s are here to stay. What we need to know is how does this 3rd party standard help? Only through vetting an ELD choice, can anyone hope to comply with required regulations and standards while preventing HOS fatigue violations, record falsification, or tampering. When reviewing ELD products all of us should be asking: “Is your ELD Complaint?” “Does your ELD Technology reflect adequate and ongoing proficiency?” “Are your Customer Service and Technical Teams in it for the long haul? i.e. are you prepared to maintain compliance and service over this 4 Year Period?” “What happens in 5 years? will you be there for your customers after the first 4 years and into the next?” By creating accountability the Canadian government has ensured every fleet starts on the same level when implementing an ELD. All you have left to ask is, are you going to be getting the most out of your ELD?

November 20, 2020 No Comments

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