Con-way Truckload announced that 71 percent of its 3,000-driver fleet is using electronic logs, with full integration of the technology expected in June 2011, to capture hours-of-service data automatically, reducing the potential for inaccuracies and risk of violations associated with paper logs. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is expected to make the adoption of e-logs mandatory for all carriers by 2014.
The company says that because satellite-based mobile communications units have been installed in its tractors since 1994, it was able to integrate e-logs at a minimal cost, and as a result of reduced costs associated with providing and managing traditional paper-based log books, the company has achieved 59 percent savings to date.
“We understand that the transition to e-logs presents some anxiety for drivers, based primarily on fear of the unknown and the difficulty of transitioning from a manual practice that has been used in the trucking industry for years,” says Bert Johnson, senior director of human resources and driver recruitment. “By voluntarily moving our drivers to e-logs now, we can ensure that they are comfortable with the paperless system well ahead of FMCSA’s mandate. Additionally, we can begin to realize the safety benefits today versus three years from now, which aligns with our core value of safety and mission to protect both our drivers and the motoring public.”
Con-way Truckload began testing e-logs in February 2010 and started integrating the system in its trucks fleetwide in November. Currently 2,145 drivers are using e-logs, with another 75 drivers transitioning to the system each week, on average.
