The ELD Mandate and AOBRDs
The Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate has been in effect for a while–with a soft enforcement in December 2017 and a hard enforcement in April 2018. In the months and days approaching the rule’s enforcement there were many predictions of doom and constricted capacity, and while it did affect the logistics landscape it wasn’t as bad as predicted.
The rule is specifically directed towards carriers, but shippers and consignees have also been affected. And while the implementation of ELDs continues to present potential benefits to shippers, there are special issues that must be kept in mind as we approach another ELD deadline.
Last year’s ELD-rule didn’t come with a bunch of exemptions, but there was a pretty big one. The Automatic Onboard Recording Devices (AOBRD) exemption allowed carriers already using AOBRDs a grace period to convert to ELDs. And the final conversion date–December 16, 2019–is quickly approaching.
While no one expects the upcoming regulation to be as disruptive as the original ELD enforcement, it’s a great time for enlightened shippers to stay ahead of the game by continuing to prepare for changes and evaluate their own operations.
Here are a few things shippers can do to remain a shipper of choice:
Plan Ahead
The transportation industry already presents plenty of challenges to shippers, such as potential capacity crunches, bad weather, closings for holidays, and so forth. The continuing implementation of ELDs adds another layer to these challenges. Planning is even more crucial for shippers that require specialty services such as expedited trips, long hauls, job site deliveries, and so forth.
Evaluate Dock Space and Storage/Warehouse Options
Take steps to understand how your docks are currently using space to stage product. Can staging be condensed in order to prepare more loads and therefore load trucks more quickly? Do you have other available space to stage products before they’re transferred to the dock for loading? If you are shipping products necessary for production, look into storage and warehousing options to prevent halts in production due to drivers detained at the shipper or unable to deliver before a required break.
Evaluate Loading/Unloading Processes
As mentioned above, detention will continue to be a hot-button issue for drivers with ELDs. How can your loading and unloading processes be streamlined? Are there steps that can be fixed and/or eliminated to reduce the possibility of detention?
Prepared shippers and consignees are better able to weather the storm of new regulations. Here at AMT, we work hard to make sure our shippers are informed and ready. For more information about upcoming regulations, give us a call today. We’ll make sure you remain a shipper of choice.