does anyone know if i can use my cell phone for a log book or it is not autherized yet by the fhwa yet
Hi-tech truckers and paperless logs
By: Drivers.com staff
Date: Wednesday, 18. October 2006
Some drivers don't have to pull out a pen and painstakingly log their driving times on paper. They hit a button on their keyboard and their log is automatically updated back at company headquarters. Werner Enterprises is a truckload motor carrier of general commodities in both interstate and intrastate commerce. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, it is the only carrier in the United States to receive authorization from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to initiate paperless logs using satellite-based technology.
Each of the company's trucks has a Qualcomm satellite-linked keypad and screen that connects the driver and the truck to the company's operations center in Omaha. Werner began installing Qualcomm satellite connections in its trucks in 1992. In 1995, the company began testing the Paperless Log System, while continuing use of the traditional paper logbooks. In 1998, The Federal Highway Administration officially authorized the company's adoption of the Paperless Log System and the paper logs were phased out.
"The logs are stored on the mainframe at the company's Omaha headquarters, says Mike Franzen, Werner's logging supervisor. When a driver gets back into the cab to drive he simply pushes the "Start Drive Time" button. When he's finished driving he hits the "Stop Drive Time" button. The information is transmitted to the qualcomm in San Diego and then to Werner's computer for recording and storage.
The system has many advantages, for Werner Enterprises, its clients and the drivers. It includes GPS capability so that the truck's location is recorded as the driver information is transmitted. The information helps the company project drivers' estimated arrival times. It also helps drivers plan their trips more efficiently and improve customer service. Because of better planning, Werners maintains, the system enables managers to preplan and assign loads based on accurate, future, and available driving hours. This, they say, allows drivers to maximize their time on the road and increase their miles rather than decreasing them.
Werner has two "million dollar technology trucks" which it has equipped as instructional vehicles and sends around to truck driving schools across North America.
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All Comments (21)
Showing 1 - 21 comments
bulldog 87,
Harlan Estrem,
How do I retrieve my logs?
Please respond to HarlanEV@aol.com
ragu,
Sorry I forgot to say, I didn't last long at weiners, I left them awhile ago,
found better company
ragu,
Paperless is big brother in control of our freedoms, it,s a joke, I work for the weiners, it SUCKS, can't make a living, only able to support me and the truck, won't have a home, can't afford one, unless I meet a sugar momma, so I drive for a real company, not a weiner
paperless recorder,
Oh, so unexpected, so surprise! Very touching, so well written and I have some perception, learning very much. Thank you for sharing. Very happy to see these and believe that your point of view. This same time,i
ted,
All of you who agree and like the paperless log system, do so because you lack the basic mathematical abilities to do your own logs! You have to rely on a computer to do it for you. Don't push your mindless system on the rest of us who payed attention in "Grade school !"
tom,
Been driving for 41 years. Worst thing ever happened. What ever happened to all the pills and dedicated drivers to the industry who cared and loved what they did. They are a proud bunch of men and women who took pride in what they did and their clients. What happens to them? It's all computors and high tech science now. No more personal contact between company, driver and custumer. It is all up to computors. Nothing any driver can do. It,s all government and company controled. It, a all about money for the state or province. No one cares about the driver, the one putting in the time and effort. It means more time away from home and loved ones and no more money and or pay for the driver, As long as product is delivered by someone, who cares about thr driver sitting 2 hours away out of hours but could go home? It means getting rid of the older and seasoned drivers for the younger less experienced drivers. Who,s going to deliver the rushed loads? who will run the old short cuts just to make delivery? Who will run the overloads at night to bypass scales to make delivery? certainly not young drivers . Know that for a fact being an ex driver trainer.
Kathy,
I drive for werner still.. I do like the paperless logs. Can't cheat and have to take a full 10. To me its the best out there. I won't do paper logs inless I have to.
will,
and when that happens, paperless logs by big brother let the games begin
CN,
Unfortunately, paperless logs are looking to be mandatory by 2010 for all trucking companies.
Truth,
It's great! Until your shut down 20 mins from your home for 10 hours. Truckers have always driven over the rules and always will...until now. It doesn't work. Truckers who drive for companies that are phasing in this system are leaving to drive for companies that do NOT have the system.
mike,
I drive for a private fleet,no name mentioning,and we use Xata.its awesome,,,but HR can tell fast breaking,over revs,coasts,& any log violations.
Shane,
Don't expect Werner to give up or sell their technology that gives them a market advantage. I once worked with Knight Transportation and we contacted Werner on collaboration to utilize the system, they declined promptly.
Alycia,
Hello i need someone who worked for werner and knows the ins and outs to email me please...
the_one_the_only_alycia@yahoo.com
Robert,
I am a former driver for Werner and all is great with the paperless logs till you get into a hard wind with your truck PARKED and the satellite system puts you on duty all by itself because it senses the truck moving. I know I had that happen to me and I was not even in the truck. It has been 3 yrs since I have worked for the company maybe they have that issue fixed but I know it was a headache for me several times and trying to get the logs corrected with the log department was like pulling teeth. I found myself delivering loads late while I sat and tried to get myself legal by having the log dept get the logs corrected. Which took anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours before they would do anything about it.
Marcus,
I drove for Werner Enterprises, and there paperless logs are a great tool for drivers that are solo or team that want to get out there and get the miles. Its great because instead of taking the full 34 hours off duty, the computer calculates how many hours you got left and gives you a minimum of hours you can run while your 7-8 day recap catches up! I hope the (FHWA)helps these other big companies to get on board!
Marc,
What other trucking companies are offering or soon will offer paperless logging for their company drivers and/or owner-operators?
Tom E.,
Like Dan, I work for a small company, also. Besides Werner, are there others offering this type of software?
bill,
I am a transportation manager for a small company that operaterates 7 trucks delivering our own product.I am interested in the paperless logs and the cost accociated with setting this system up.Where can I go to get this information?
Paul,
Hi Dave,
In fact there are several options available for paperless logs. If you have a laptop and a portable printer, you can use Drivers Daily Log software, DieselBoss, TruckersHelper and others.
The second option is an electronic onboard recorder which is used, among other things, to produce paperless logs.
Finally, paperless log software is available for some personal digital assistants (PDAs)or handhelds.
DAVE,
THIS THERE A SOFTWARE PACKAGE AVAILABLE FOR DRIVER LOGS?
