Info & Guides /

Trucking business is one of the most growing private sectors of U.S. economy. Estimated employment in this sector is around 9 million employees. Nearly half of this number are truck drivers. Also, nearly 70% transporting businesses are done by trucks. These numbers are getting bigger every year so the complexity of this business sector is also bigger every year.
That is why employers need to simplify their businesses and easily track the workflow of their companies. That is why they use ELD (Electronic Logging Devices). Electronic Logging Device (ELD or E-Log) is electronic hardware that is attached to a commercial motor vehicle engine to record driving hours. The driving hours of commercial drivers ( truck and bus drivers) are regulated by a set of rules known as the hours of service (HOS).

What is ELD?

As every industry starts to use technology to make their businesses easier, so does the trucking industry also. The most simple definition of the ELD is that ELD is an electronic solution that enables professional truck drivers and commercial motor carriers to easily truck Hours of Service (HOS) compliance. ELD is connected to trucks engine so it can record it the truck is in motion and allow the driver to choose his status (on duty or off duty, or on duty not driving). It can also display a record of duty status, so a driver can quickly see hours in a day.The data from ELD is in the standardized format so it can be used by law enforcement. Data can be transmitted by wireless web services, USB, or Bluetooth 2.0. ELD will effectively catch commercial drivers who ignore federal hours-of-service rules. And any driver who thinks he’s smart enough to simply manipulate the software is in for a rude awakening.But there are some truck drivers who are against ELD saying it kills their time and they can’t finish the job in time. The only thing an ELD can do is tell if a vehicle is moving. People are creative. Technology can always be tweaked for a different outcome. With ELDs, a driver can easily log off when the vehicle is stuck in traffic, that is something you would never do with paper.There are some companies that are against ELD and they were asking for implementation delay of ELD-s , the reason is simple, they want to avoid the law. The inflexibility of hours of service rules while using ELDs has caused detention time to hit drivers harder since implementation.

ELD Benefits

Also, as every big industry in the USA, trucking industry demands a tone of paperwork and documentation.ELD provides better solutions because of paperwork reduction and some studies showed that ELD is the good solution when it comes to long-term savings of the company. Based on assumptions stated by the FMCSA in its Regulatory Impact Analysis for ELDs, paperwork savings per driver per year are estimated to total of $705 per year in just paperwork savings alone.

Beside of these benefits, ELD also :

1. Make it easier, simpler, and quicker to keep driver logs.
2. Limit mistakes and reduce form and manner errors.
3. Provide information to drivers and motor carriers so that drivers can better manage fatigue and schedule issues.
4. Correctly record location and accurate information to easily track duty status.
5. Is a good management tool and back office asset to improve productivity and enhance compliance.
6. With ELDs, there is less paperwork, and driver logs are orderly, clear, and accurate.

Carriers said that rate per mile was the most important factor in deciding to take a load, followed by the length of haul and a broker’s reputation. The least important factor was traffic on the route.According to DAT, shippers are not taking driver hours of service into account during loading and offloading, with more than 77% reporting wait times of more than two hours on one out of every five loads. And to top it off, when drivers need to stop driving, as many as 87% of them are having a much harder time finding parking since the ELD mandate took effect in December.Despite the growing pains of ELD implementation and some previous fears of a mass exodus of owner-operators from the trucking industry once the mandate kicked in, only 2.8% of those surveyed said they were likely to leave the trucking industry. ELD is more helpful and surely will save lives of drivers and other people on the road.

Trucking is one of the most important jobs in the U.S. with the goal to deliver goods on time. While truck driving can be a great job with many benefits, it can also be dangerous if not taken seriously. Here are a few easy common tips for increasing safety of a truck, driver, and cargo, and making your next cargo delivery as smooth as possible.

Be aware of blind spots

Trucks have more blind spots than regular-sized vehicles, including directly behind the truck, off to the side right in front of the cab, and just behind the side mirrors. Other motorists may not be aware of these areas to avoid. Spread the word with family and friends about these dangerous zones, where accidents are most likely to occur. While driving, make sure to exercise caution before changing lanes to maintain a safe distance from other drivers, and always use your blinkers.

Take care of your cargo

Take the time to look over your truck every morning to make sure everything is in working order. This daily check should include fluid levels, tires, horns, and well-positioned mirrors. The brakes are a vital component of safety and should be inspected by a professional often. If you ever spot anything unusual, report to dispatch before driving. When stacking your cargo keep it low and make sure to use full space of a vehicle. By stacking it properly, you can keep your truck more balanced, while also improving your fuel economy.
Fit the time in your schedule to account for slow-downs due to construction. A large number of fatal work-zone accidents involve large trucks. If you come across an unexpected construction zone while trucking, take the time to slow down. Maintain safety as your #1 priority, and allow yourself extra time for your journey.

Maintain a safe speed

Maintaining the speed limit is an important component to being a safe driver. It is particularly important to exercise caution on entrance and exit ramps, where the speed limits are designed for cars. When driving on wet, snowy, or icy roads cut your speed by half. Allow for more time during poor weather, and be mindful of whether or not other drivers can see you on the road.
Working in the trucking industry doesn’t have to be dangerous. Make sure you get plenty of sleep, exercise, eat right while living on the road, and take quality time off when at home to relax and refresh before getting back behind the wheel.

Freight shipping, for many businesses, is an organizational headache that rivals the nuances of particle physics. For others, it’s a nagging financial nightmare that never ends. But, no matter who you ask, freight shipping is important—and above all else, it’s an unavoidable necessity. But this begs the question: if freight shipping is so important, why is it so complicated? And further still, almost everyone wonders if they should choose full truckload (FTL) or less than truckload (LTL) shipping. At Unlimited Cargo, we believe shipping your freight doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few things to consider in order to get the most out of your freight shipping so you can spend more time running other areas of your business.

Consider What Shipping Method Is Right for Your Business Needs

This might seem obvious, but the truth is that selecting the appropriate shipping method is actually a little more intricate than most people think—and knowing those intricacies can make a big difference on your bottom line. That said, it’s not exactly complicated either so taking a moment to understand at least some of the benefits of both FTL and LTL can make a considerable difference.

FTL Freight Shipping:

FTL shipping, while usually more expensive than LTL, is ideal for businesses that have a lot of product to move (up to 40,000 pounds on a single dry van). But despite the cost, it does have its perks, including:

Speed

Because full truckload shipments never switch between trucks, FTL is often faster than LTL. If you have time-sensitive shipments that need to go out, then it’s worth considering FTL freight shipping for this benefit alone.

Security

A single truck doesn’t just mean faster delivery times: it means added security as well. Think about it: if you’re shipping via a single truck that means your shipment isn’t exchanging hands or vehicles. In other words, there’s less opportunity to damage goods between Point-A and Point-B. In fact, it’s practically non-existent. Not to mention, assuming your FTL shipment is completely full, it will be pretty difficult for anything to move around in the back of a truck. With FTL shipping you can rest assured that your shipment will be protected from handling damages (both on and off the truck), damages from other freight within the truck, and theft.

LTL Freight Shipping:

Great for small and large businesses alike, LTL freight shipping is generally used for smaller shipments. There are a number of ways you can get LTL shipping to work for you in order to stretch your shipping dollar (even for large shipments). However, it’s just as important to understand where your money is going as it is to understand where your shipment is headed. A few benefits of LTL freight shipping include:

Lower Costs

LTL is cheaper in the same way that carpooling is cheaper. LTL freight shipping is generally more cost-effective than FTL because you’re only paying for a small portion of a trailer or truck. This means, unlike FTL, you aren’t paying for space you aren’t using. When you “pool” with other businesses, each shares a fraction of the total cost. In the end, everyone is “pooling” together to save money. This provides businesses with a lot of creative flexibility, especially when they have to ship to multiple parts of the country. Plus, when you consider many of the additional services you get, including the ability to ship non-commercially, it’s difficult to argue against how cost-effective LTL shipping is.

Environmentally Friendly

LTL freight shipping is also environmentally-friendly—and that’s great! Think about it: FTL shipments tend to have plenty of cargo space left in the trailer. Many FTL vehicles on the road aren’t always full. This is wasted space. That means more trips, more greenhouse gas emissions, and a larger carbon footprint. If you’re looking to “go green” LTL just might be for you.