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Study: On-board recorders boost driver morale
By eTrucker Staff
Few fleets use electronic on-board recorders, but those that do report increased driver morale, according to a new study.
The American Transportation Research Institute, the research arm of the American Trucking Associations, released the results Sept. 12 of its industry analysis of using the recorders to monitor driver hours.
The project included surveys and interviews of users, non-users and vendors, as well as analysis of secondary research and comments submitted to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is expected to rule on the devices this fall.
The research indicates that on-board recorder use is low for several reasons, including cost, a lack of return on investment, and uncertainty about what standards might be mandated by the FMCSA.
The enforcement community also is concerned about data privacy and data access issues, since few policies and protocols exist.
However, the ATRI research does contradict perceptions that the devices would hurt driver morale and retention. A surprising 76 percent of users said the recorders had improved driver morale, and 19 percent said they had improved driver retention. No users said driver retention had been harmed by the devices.
“We know there are longstanding perceptions associated with EOBRs, but this research gives us insight into the statistical realities that can only be provided by EOBR users,” said Doug Duncan, ATRI chairman and president of FedEx Freight. “Clearly there are still issues that must be resolved prior to any mandate, but we now have a blueprint for resolving those issues.”
ATRI also considered the impact that a mandate might have on different industry sectors and fleet sizes. Based on unit pricing, estimated returns on investment and overall management costs, the research determined that small fleets and owner-operators would be hardest hit by a mandate. Investment tax credits and bulk-purchase pricing options could help, the study said.
There was also general recognition that certain industry segments, such as local pickup and delivery services, may not be appropriate targets for a recorder mandate. Carriers do believe, however, that a broad mandate would create a “level playing field” for hours compliance, the study said.
The ATRI research did not propose any technical requirements or practices, since that effort is being undertaken by a committee of ATA's Technology & Maintenance Council.
Given the strong concerns of several vendors about the lack of recorder uniformity and interoperability, ATRI recommended that the FMCSA rulemaking provide early guidance for developing such standards.
There was considerable consensus among users, non-users and vendors that recorders are effective at managing and monitoring hours compliance, but more research is needed to document the role that hours compliance plays in fatigue management and safety improvements, ATRI reported.
“As a compliance tool, it appears that EOBRs can meet FMCSA’s need for improved HOS monitoring," said Al Koenig, president of Midwest Specialized Transportation. "But we still need to address certain safety loopholes, such as improved confirmation of who is driving and whether EOBRs will increase speeding to offset potential productivity losses.”
For a copy of ATRI’s EOBR research, visit www.atri-online.org.
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