ELDs: Carbon Express Owner Says E-logs the ‘Best Thing to Happen in Trucking'
Company Size
11-200
Region
- America
Country
- United States
Product
- Omnitracs ELD
- TMW Suite
- American Express Corporate Lodging Card
Tech Stack
- Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)
- Telematics
- Dispatch Software
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
- Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS)
Applicable Industries
- Transportation
Applicable Functions
- Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases
- Driver Performance Monitoring
- Fleet Management
Services
- Software Design & Engineering Services
- System Integration
About The Customer
Carbon Express is a trucking company based in Wharton, New Jersey, founded by Steve Rush in 1983. The company specializes in the transportation of liquid bulk commodities and has grown significantly over the years. Initially, Carbon Express struggled with hours-of-service (HOS) compliance and had a culture of noncompliance to stay competitive. However, the company underwent a significant transformation to prioritize safety and compliance. Today, Carbon Express operates a fleet of 49 trucks and is known for its commitment to safety, driver satisfaction, and operational efficiency. The company has implemented electronic logging devices (ELDs) and other technologies to enhance its operations and maintain a high standard of service.
The Challenge
Carbon Express faced significant challenges with hours-of-service (HOS) compliance and the culture of noncompliance within the company. The company had a history of exceeding HOS limits to stay competitive, which was a common practice in the industry. This noncompliance culture persisted until 2006 when the safety director highlighted the issue, prompting a commitment from the management to change. The transition to a culture of compliance was difficult, causing frustration among both management and drivers. However, after two years, Carbon Express successfully established a culture of compliance. The next challenge was to implement electronic logging devices (ELDs) to further enhance compliance and operational efficiency.
The Solution
To address the challenges of HOS compliance and noncompliance culture, Carbon Express decided to implement electronic logging devices (ELDs) from Omnitracs. The transition to ELDs was carefully managed by running electronic logs side-by-side with paper logs for six months to ensure a smooth changeover. This technology forced the management to be more profitable and safe, as it provided real-time data on driver logs and helped in better planning and dispatching. Additionally, Carbon Express replaced its fleet of sleeper cabs with day cabs to increase payload capacity and revenue. This change required drivers to stay in hotels, which improved their self-respect and dignity. The company provided drivers with American Express corporate lodging cards to book their stays, further enhancing their satisfaction. The use of TMW Suite dispatch software allowed planners to match loads with drivers efficiently, ensuring consistent schedules and sleep patterns. This comprehensive approach not only improved compliance and safety but also contributed to low driver turnover and high driver satisfaction.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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