By 2014, truck drivers will be required to use electronic log books (e-logs) under a federal mandate by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA). As expected, the transition to e-logs is likely to cause both an operational and cultural shift for drivers, carriers and shippers — after all, paper-based logs have been used in the industry for years. So, why are some carriers moving forward with implementation now? The answer is simple. E-logs will be mandatory for all carriers in the future. Those that start the integration now have an opportunity to work through challenges and begin to realize the benefits of the implementation as soon as possible — for their company, drivers and customers.

E-logs automatically capture hours-of-service (HOS) data, reducing the potential for inaccuracies and risk of violations associated with manual (paper) logs, which negatively impact safety, on-time service, operational efficiencies and CSA scores, among other issues. Given the capacity shortage that the industry is now facing, carriers cannot risk lessening the pool of safe drivers and, thus, their ability to serve shippers’ freight needs. With that, the benefits of adopting e-logs today far outweigh any reason to delay, such as to defer the investment cost, or postpone the training and communication required to help drivers overcome any anxiety or fear of the unknown — emotions which often accompany the introduction of new technologies.

Yes, there will be growing pains, but through regular, ongoing education, communication and a focus on safety and superior service, carriers and their key constituents should be able to resolve any issues quickly. With early adoption, carriers can train operations staff and fleet supervisors to guide drivers and help them audit their e-logs. Drivers can spend adequate time learning how to use the new system. Plus, sales managers will have the knowledge to educate customers about the system in advance, and how shippers can contribute to a successful implementation. Shippers can assist in the process by making sure load tendering and receipt is managed efficiently, minimizing driver detention time, and by being flexible, such as allowing drivers to park on their premises overnight or providing wider windows for delivery.

The industry at large will be required to make this change by 2014. While other carriers are spending time tackling the bumps and bruises of the mandatory transition at that time, customers of carriers that are moving to e-logs now can begin to leverage process improvements gained from e-log adoption and learning to provide consistent, effective service that is ahead of the rest.

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