How Electronic Logging Devices Impact Full Truckload Capacity

With the implementation of the Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) in December 2017, the industry has already seen a contraction in available trucks as well as the rates for those trucks being higher than the norm in certain lanes.

We have seen many carriers shy away from contractual rates for dedicated lanes until they can truly perform the analytics as to how the ELD mandate will affect their business. In the past, some carriers may have stretched the limitations of their driver's timelines when they were very close to the delivery location. 

With the ELD, once the driver is out of legal driving hours, he is out of hours and must stop driving, thus creating added expense to the driver-carrier that will ultimately end up in higher rates for everyone moving FTL shipments through their supply chain.  

Top items to consider when scheduling Full Truckload Transportation

• Inform your logistics provider, such as Diversified Transportation Services, about your anticipated delivery timeline to help avoid any misunderstandings.
• Create the level of expectation that you articulate to the logistics provider or carrier for the delivery. (more often than not we see that shippers think it is a 2-day point when in reality it may be a 3-day point)
• Obtain the rate with a realistic timeline for delivery so everyone is on the same page.  
• Find out if the truck moving your FTL transport is a single driver or a team. Teams always deliver faster and may need to be used on those runs that MUST have the freight delivered the next day.  
• Team drivers cost more, but the timeline for delivery is much more defined than a single driver would be since they may run out of legal driving hours. 
• Find the cost in writing, with detention time and any delay times noted in advance. 

The costs will rise for our entire industry due to the Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs).  Provided everyone is on the same page with the level of expectation that they need from their 3PLs, carriers, and supply chain partners, our industry will continue to give its best in fulfilling the requirements that everyone has agreed on.