• Researchers studying viability of EOBRs

    Aug. 14, 2012

    Researchers at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institution (VTTI) are studying the impact electronic onboard recording (EOBR) devices have on ensuring commercial driver compliance with hours-of-service requirements. The study is being funded by FMCSA, which is still working on an EOBR regulation.

    VTTI said it is studying safety records for drivers and fleets utilizing the technology.

    New hours-of-service regulations are set to go into effect July 1, 2013. FMCSA is considering an EOBR regulation that will require the devices for HOS compliance.

    “A requirement to use electronic onboard recorders was withdrawn because of potential misuse and questions about whether the devices actually increase compliance and safety,” said Jeff Hickman, occupational health and safety expert at Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

    Hickman is leading the VTTI effort to “evaluate the potential safety benefits of electronic onboard recorders.” His team will also look at whether such devices improve compliance with hours-of-service regulations, how many operators and fleets use them, how much they cost to install and operate, and whether there are other benefits of the devices.”

    The project will also include department of transportation-recorded crash rates and hours-of-service violation rates for vehicles with and without electronic onboard recording devices.

    Study results will be reported by late 2013.

    Voice your opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

    Sign up for our free eNewsletters

    Latest from Technology

    Kodiak Robotics
    Kodiak Robotics truck at Roush facility
    Roush Industries will soon begin upfitting trucks in its Livonia, Michigan, facility to support Kodiak’s autonomous vehicle hardware. The first upfits will likely go to Atlas ...
    Daimler Truck
    Daimler and Volvo's Coretura leadership
    Two of the largest global truck OEMs have established a joint venture to develop one software-defined vehicle platform, bringing standardization to the industry. While the company...
    Bendix
    In addition to those latest enhancements, the newly released Bendix Fusion system on Kenworth T680s includes previously available features.
    Bendix, BeyondTrucks, Teletrac Navman, Relay Payments, and SureCam announce new trucking technology updates.