A Bumpy Start for ELDs Could Make for a Long Summer for Truck Drivers in Minneapolis, MN

If federal regulators thought the addition of electronic gizmos would solve all the issues behind logging hours of service and driver fatigue, they’re getting heat as hot as a sizzling summer’s day from some trucking companies in Minneapolis, MN and elsewhere.

As what’s known as strict enforcement enters its third month, many truckers are still trying to get Electronic Logging Devices in their cabs to work. Some digital trackers aren’t able to offer accurate locations, miles, or hours, while some just don’t work at all.

Non-functioning devices aren’t exactly an option when you figure commercial vehicle inspectors can place a trucker without an ELD out of service for 10 hours. Truck drivers without a working device, whether it’s due to technical issues or not, are facing the same penalties.

To make matters worse, manufacturer support lines are understaffed, and problems usually happen while on the road. Truck drivers have 8 days to get back into compliance or they could risk being cited for using a non-working ELD.

The ELD requirement was initiated to help enforce the federal hours-of-service rule. It limits time behind the wheel for truckers to no more than 11 hours a day, within a 14-hour workday. Truck drivers must be off duty for 10 consecutive hours to round out a 24-hour day.

Violations can also affect a driver’s safety score. Truckers face a five-point penalty if they don’t have an ELD and lose another two points if they’re placed out of service.

Another issue has to do with the transfer of data showing driver hours for commercial inspectors to review on the road. If the information is recorded correctly, everything is fine. But some truck drivers have opted to continue to fill out a logbook as a method of paper backup.

That’s the sort of strategic thinking most of us need to ensure obstacles don’t become roadblocks. It’s also what you can expect from Strategic Transportation of Minneapolis. We’re known for understanding your goals, anticipating delays, and making sure shipments happen on your schedule.

Strategic Transportation is about creating a personalized transportation experience that fits your business’s needs in Minneapolis and other destinations across the country. Call Strategic Transportation today at (651) 433-7310 and we’ll help you deliver the perfect transportation strategy.

Strategic Transportation Means Knowing How to Maneuver Around St. Paul, MN Bottlenecks

It never fails, or so it seems. You’re in a hurry to get somewhere in the Twin Cities and traffic has come to standstill on a major freeway in St. Paul or across the river in Minneapolis.

You’re not imagining things. Based upon the recently released Minnesota Go Statewide Freight System and Investment plan, no less than ten of Minnesota’s top highway bottlenecks related to travel time and delay are in the Twin Cities.

It’s little wonder that this area containing the largest amount of the state’s population also ranks high in the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s report as the center of passenger activity and the movement of goods in Minnesota.

All of that highway congestion leads to frustration for truck drivers, especially those who are maneuvering around delays to make just-in-time deliveries.

No one is suggesting an implementation of rules like those seen in New York City in recent years where drivers needing to make deliveries are required to do so during the overnight hours to avoid major traffic tie-ups.

MnDOT is focusing on places where high amounts freight and passenger traffic come together to create congestion largely caused by rush hour traffic, crashes, and construction delays.

MnDOT believes it’s already having an impact with additional MnPass Lanes, a 511-traveler information line, and other intermodal technologies.

Strategic Transportation is doing its part by paying attention to designated truck routes and Complete Streets planning to assist with congestion management solutions.

It begins with knowing your surroundings. Strategic Transportation believes in offering a professional consultation to get an idea of your needs. Let us worry about potential delays and problems with freight efficiency; we’re ready to make your shipment happen on your schedule.

Strategic Transportation is about creating a personalized transportation experience that fits your needs in St. Paul, MN and other destinations across the country. Call Strategic Transportation today at (651) 433-7310 and we’ll help you create the perfect transportation strategy for all of your goods and cargo.