Telematics, insurance companies partner to lower fleets' insurance premiums

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Technology news and briefs for the week of Jan. 29, 2023: 

Global shipper captures BOL data in cab

Global shipper General Logistics Systems (GLS) is now providing all drivers who have the DDC Sync mobile app with optical character recognition (OCR) technology to instantly capture bill of lading (BOL) data in the cab of the truck.

The intuitive data capture system is provided by DDC FPO, a global provider of front and back-office outsourcing services for the transportation and logistics industries.

Unlike other BOL data capture products that simply take an image of the freight bill, which then needs to be scanned or entered manually for recordkeeping, DDC Sync is a native Android app that transmits the data to the carrier’s terminal immediately.

By allowing for better route, load and workforce decision-making with DDC Sync, GLS will no longer need to wait until the driver arrives at the destination to get important shipment information. Additionally, the real-time visibility in DDC Sync equips carriers with streamlined logistics planning capabilities while also expediting accounts receivables processing.

In addition to providing smart, mobile OCR for freight data, DDC Sync can be used for direct driver-to-terminal communication; driver incident logging; GPS tracking for more efficient routing and forecasting; real-time visibility and instant alerts; BOL inventory management for timely payment authorizations; secure company news feeds; and gamification and rewards programs.

Penske app receives Canadian ELD certification

The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators has approved another electronic logging device.

Penske Truck Leasing’s Penske Driver mobile app has been certified as the app meets the requirements of the Canadian ELD Mandate, asking commercial carriers and drivers to electronically log their hours of service (HOS).

Penske Driver provides provides real-time visibility into driver performance, allowing fleet managers to track driver productivity and view real-time vehicle performance to keep fleets running smoothly.

The Canadian ELD Mandate went into effect on Jan. 1 following a period of education and awareness that was implemented in June 2022.

Telematics, insurance companies partner to lower costs

Motive has partnered with Sentry, and Nexar has partnered with Cover Whale Insurance Solutions Inc.

Customers using Motive’s Driver Safety Solution are now eligible to save up to 5% on Sentry insurance premiums for sharing their electronic logging device (ELD) and dashcam data from the Motive platform with the insurer.

Commercial vehicle telematics systems like Motive’s can provide fleet managers with data and real-time driver coaching to improve fleet safety and drive down the volume and cost of insurance claims as traffic deaths increase and transportation costs increase. The Motive AI Dashcam detects unsafe driving and alerts drivers in real time through computer vision algorithms and an AI processor.

According to Motive, fleets that have Motive dashcams and frequently coach drivers see results that include more than 20% fewer accidents, more than 50% fewer unsafe driving incidents and up to 10 times a return on investment in the first year.

Sentry, which insures more than 7,000 trucking customers and 48,000 units, will provide customers who share their ELD data up to a 3% premium discount and customers who share ELD and dashcam data up to a 5% discount. Joint customers can share their telematics data to qualify for a premium discount.

Cover Whale is now providing Nexar’s AI dual-facing dash cams to its independent and fleet truck drivers to enhance its Driver Safety Program. Nexar dash cams can detect and monitor driver behavioral risks such as hard braking, sharp cornering, hard turns, quick accelerations and sudden stops, providing the relative context in which the event occurred.

The integration of Nexar’s dash cams into Cover Whale’s Driver Safety Program will also enhance the on-the-road coaching of truck drivers to lower both the frequency and severity of claims.

123Loadboard offers carrier ID verification

Freight matching platform 123Loadboard is now providing carrier identity verification on its platform to help brokers move freight faster with trusted carriers.

Carriers using 123Loadboard’s freight matching platform go through an updated carrier verification process to confirm their identity, after which a confirmed identity icon is displayed to freight brokers on the carriers’ profile. Brokers and shippers can immediately identify whether the carrier to whom they wish to assign the load is verified and a legitimate business partner.

Freight brokers and shippers seeking capacity can match their loads and search 123Loadboard’s Truck Locator for verified carriers that match their required hauling criteria and be assured that the identified individuals have not misrepresented themselves. According to 123Loadboard, the credibility identity verification adds to member profiles will improve the freight brokers’ and shippers’ reliability when dealing with current or future clients.

Freight brokers interacting on 123Loadboard or integrated directly through API, whether by messaging, bidding, emailing, etc., will see the verification status of the carriers they communicate with.

In the future, 123Loadboard users will be able to transfer their verification status across partner platforms to standardize and increase transparency beyond 123Loadboard and into the logistics ecosystem.