An electronic on-board recorder (EOBR) is an electronic device attached to a commercial motor vehicle, which is used to record the amount of time a vehicle is being driven. This is similar to a tachograph, and is an American equivalent of the digital tachograph used in Europe. Trucks in the EU should install digital tachographs, and be safely monitored by government agencies. However, in Europe, new digital tachographs that are considered safe, can be tricked by a circular magnet placed by the driver over the connection to the transmission box. Usually they tie the rope to the magnet, and with a simple pull, the magnet will detach and will show that the driver starts moving about half an hour ago (or whatever time the driver wants to set by stopping at the resting place after the sleep period, and placing the magnet on). The majority of carriers and drivers in the United States currently use paper-based log books. On January 31, 2011, the US Federal Vehicle Security Administration (FMCSA) proposed a rule requiring On-Board Electronic Recorders for intercity commercial truck and bus companies. The proposed rules include intercontinental operators who currently use log books to record the hours of driver service. The proposal will affect more than 500,000 operators in the United States and carriers currently using time cards will be released.
The sole use of compulsory EOBR is for companies with poor compliance records scheduled for June 2012. On August 26, 2011, in a lawsuit filed by the Operator Owner Independent Association (OOIDA), the 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals empty and return the rule back to the agent for further processing. According to Robert Digges, head of the American Trucking Association (ATA) adviser, "Although the court decision specifically addresses the final rules of 2010, FMCSA is also likely to have to comply with the proposed regulations on January 31 which requires that almost all motor vehicle operators equip their trucks with EOBRs". This does not mean that FMCSA will suspend attempts to pass regulations on EOBR mandatory but will mean a delay in the application of any rules.
Hours of driving commercial drivers (trucks and bus drivers) governed by a set of rules known as HOS service hours (HOS) are rules intended to prevent driver fatigue, by limiting the number of time drivers spent on operating commercial vehicles. The amount of time available under the HOS rules for operating a commercial motor vehicle depends, in part, on how much time the driver does the job or gets a break when not driving. In order for EOBR to accurately record and report on the driver's compliance with HOS rules, therefore, whenever the truck is not operated, the driver must manually enter into EOBR whether he is still on duty (ie unpacking trucks, checking or repairing trucks, filling documents... etc..) or not on duty (not working). EOBRs does not automatically record changes in the status of non-driving tasks and, therefore, is somewhat similar to log paper because it is only accurate when a truck is in motion. The company now offers additional components on the board that can accurately record the amount of rest time spent by the driver on the bed and electronically monitor the hours the driver spends during rest or sleep.
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) is the latest term to define an electronic device capable of automatically recording the driver's driving hours and task status. In order to be considered an ELD, the device must meet specific technological requirements and be included on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) registration site.
Video Electronic on-board recorder
References
Maps Electronic on-board recorder
External links
- Regulation of FMCSA 395.16
- FMCSA publishes on-board recorder proposals
- EOBR: U.S. vs Europe
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (PDF)
- FMCSA news broadcast
- Should EOBR be mandated?
- EOBRs: A Curse or Benefit?
- Commercial Vehicle Drivers Service Rules (Canada)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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