An Electronic Logging Device is used mainly for recording data like driving hours, engine health, vehicle speed, total miles traveled, location, etc., especially in commercial vehicles. It is plugged onto the onboard diagnostic port for capturing the data regarding the aspects cited above.

Among its different purposes, these devices are essential for logging the hours of duty of a commercial driver and how many hours they have been on-duty & off-duty. This crucial data is regulated by commercial fleet managers and several government federations of different countries.

On the other hand, these devices are used for a plethora of other services that help fleet managers provide better services & keep track of their commercial vehicles & drivers. Hence, electronic logging devices are also known as telematics, which defines the long-distance transmission of computerized data. According to a recent research study, the electronic logging device market is projected to attain around 3.85% CAGR through 2027 owing to the increasing number of ride-sharing & e-commerce platforms worldwide.

The best kind of Electronic Logging Devices are those equipped with gyroscopes, build-in GPS tracking, and accelerometers that can record the following data:

• Fuel efficiency, idling, & mileage 
• Drive time
• Hours of Service
• Record of duty status for ELD compliance
• Engine speed & load
• Real-time GPS location
• Safety-related events, like harsh braking or collision
• Diagnostics & fault codes

Different Ways of Using Electronic Logging Devices

Fleet Managers can use these devices in several ways. Some of these methods are listed below. Have a look:

• Compliance: Electronic Logging Devices eliminate the need for manually managing data in paper logs & logbooks and enable the electronic & efficient recording of data. Federations like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) of America have made it mandatory for commercial vehicles to have these devices equipped.
• Dispatch & Routing: These devices have built-in GPS trackers that help attain real-time information about the vehicle location and are highly beneficial in dispatch & routing purposes. 
• Maintenance: As these devices are plugged in the vehicle on-board diagnostic port, they gather crucial data about the vehicle like the status of the engine, fault codes, and other aspects, enabling the vehicle owner to opt for timely maintenance and avoid the possibility of mishaps.
• Safety: Several Electronic Logging Devices come with pre-set gyroscope & accelerometer to detect events like harsh braking, turning, and collisions. One can use these data to train drivers about safe driving skills and save them from false claims.

Most Prominent Benefits of Electronic Logging Devices Beyond Compliance

1. Less Administrative Work: Electronic Logging devices provide accurate & reliable data in just a few clicks. They record data electronically and eliminate manual work while reducing the time of the compliance managers in reviewing & preparing logs & audits.
2. Quicker Dispatch: With the availability of real-time data on vehicle location, dispatchers can set their work accordingly, with more efficiency & speed. These devices can also provide updates on the routes with accurate ETAs, thereby benefiting the driver to reach the destination hassle-free.
3. More Convenience for Drivers: With the ability of electronic logging devices to record the duty status & hours of service information on an application rather than paper logs, drivers have been experiencing more convenience than before. Hence, they are promoting the adoption of these devices in commercial vehicles. 
4. Better Fuel Efficiency: Since Electronic Logging Devices provide more insights on the vehicle health, need for timely repairs & replacements, and better visibility on fuel usage, it helps drivers improve the vehicle condition and save massively on fuel costs per year. 
5. Enhanced Safety: Using these devices, safety managers can keep a check on data with harsh events like sudden breaks, turns, and collisions, principally to train the drivers better & avoid risky behaviours at all times.
6. Reduced Liabilities: Since Electronic Logging Devices can provide real-time location data at any given time, they also help exonerate drivers from false claims & accusations of mishaps & accidents. By providing accurate location data or footage recorded through the dash-cam, drivers can prove their innocence & strengthen their legal case. 

Conclusion

The increasing integration of Electronic Logging Devices in commercial vehicles is principally to record hours of service and a wide range of other information to benefit both drivers & fleet managers. Since these devices inhibit an extensive range of data, fleet managers witness numerous benefits. Industries like trucking, food & beverages, passenger transit, and others are among the prominent end-users of electronic logging devices, and they often find these devices highly efficient in enhancing safety, sustainability, and efficiency.