Update on ELD Mandates – Canada & U.S.

December 21, 2018 - by Vince Arone

December 18, 2018, marks a year since the U.S. electronic logging device (ELD) mandate took effect, and authorities are reporting widespread compliance.  According to joc.com, less than 1% of all roadside truck inspections in May 2018 resulted in a driver being cited for operating without an ELD.

This high rate of compliance should be encouraging to Transport Canada, which announced that operators in Canada will be required to report on-duty, off-duty and driving time using ELDs rather than paper logbooks by 2020. The proposed Canadian mandate, which will apply to federally regulated motor carriers and commercial truck and bus drivers, was announced the same day U.S. rules took effect last December.

According to Transport Canada, the new regulations will deliver administrative cost savings and improve road safety as electronic logs help ensure all carriers are complying with Hours of Service (HOS) rules that reduce the potential for driver fatigue.

Comparing ELD regulations

Much of the proposed rule aligns with U.S. requirements. However, there are some differences.  Here’s a quick comparison of the mandates. It’s based on information under consideration for Canada’s ELD mandate because technology and regulatory standards are still being reviewed.

Both mandates require an ELD that:

• Includes GPS tracking and synchronizes with the vehicle’s engine
• Has an on-screen display to show at roadside inspections
• Automatically captures driving time, including unidentified driving
• Has a mechanism to verify logs and agree to edits
• Allows drivers to use special driving statuses
• Can generate output files in different formats for inspectors
• Exempt pre-2000 vehicles

Canada’s mandate

• Doesn’t require capturing the VIN number
• Has no self-registration/certification process for ELDs
• Requires the ELD to:
  • accurately track and manage deferred off-duty time
  • allow for a mechanism to enter hours captured elsewhere (e.g., driving done for another company)
  • include HOS cycle details and allow drivers a mechanism to switch between them

Speculation that the final ELD mandate will be similar to the current U.S. rule is welcome news for Canadian carriers engaged in cross-border trade and already complying with the U.S. mandate. By further aligning Canadian and U.S. logging device regulations, Canadian operators could potentially use the same logging device in both countries.

Effects of the U.S. Mandate

Many people in the transportation industry anticipated problems associated with the new ELD mandate, such as thousands of drivers leaving the profession and large numbers of out-of-service orders¹ on drivers after the April 1 full enforcement.  However, that has not materialized.

In fact, it has been reported that the percentage of driver inspections with at least one HOS violation actually dropped from December 2017 to May 2018.  Due to compliance with the ELD mandates, hours of service were being logged electronically.  The result was a significant drop in HOS rules violations as the ELD mandate took effect.

Results from the U.S. ELD mandates support Transport Canada’s analysis that its proposed ELD rule will help not only reduce injuries and fatalities on the road but will provide “an improved quality of life for drivers.”  This benefit will be due in part to increased adherence to HOS rules, which provides more recuperative rest periods to reduce driver fatigue, a critical risk factor associated with motor vehicle crashes.

Timeline for Canada’s ELD Mandate

As of late December 2018, the official timeline for implementing Canada’s ELD mandate has not been finalized.  However, most industry experts anticipate the introduction process for ELD in Canada will be similar to the U.S. roll-out. That includes public comment after the original announcement, publication of the rule, a mandatory compliance date, and grandfather clause completion.

If Transport Canada does follow the U.S. model, there will be a two-year transition phase allowing carriers and drivers to install ELDs and complete training.  Full compliance will be required after this preparation period, which could be as early as December 2019, but more likely in 2020. Plus, there will be an exception for existing devices such as e-logs, Automatic On-board Recording Devices (AOBRDs) and EOBRs, which are expected to be permitted until 2022.

Preparing for ELD Compliance

Although some details of the ELD mandates in Canada are still under review, one thing is certain – motor carriers and drivers will be required to use an ELD in the near future. Therefore, carriers and shippers should be planning now to ensure they will be compliant and competitive when the mandate goes into effect.

To ensure you’re ready to comply with the new regulations, contact Descartes PinPoint GPS Solutions to learn more about our ELD-compliant software services that pair state-of-the-art technology and advanced industry knowledge with exceptional customer service and support.

Because we are part of the Descartes Systems Group, our customers have access to the Descartes Global Logistics Network™ as well as additional route planning software and mobile solutions.  That includes the Descartes Telematics Compliance™ solution, a comprehensive mobile asset management service using advanced technologies integrated with the diagnostics.

Descartes Telematics is registered with the FMCSA as a certified ELD provider and can also help you manage compliance of other regulatory initiatives such as AOBRD Hours-of-Service, IFTA, Hazmat and HAACP.  Our ELD Resource Center provides the latest news and timelines associated with the FMCSA and Transport Canada mandates.

Descartes Acquires PinPoint

August 22, 2018 - by Vince Arone

PinPoint has been acquired by Descartes Systems Group, the global leader in logistics technology and global trade content. Descartes’ solutions extend the command of logistics operations, helping the world’s largest and most connected logistics community to quickly reduce costs, improve service and comply with customs and transportation regulations. The acquisition makes PinPoint’s customers members of the Global Logistics Network, the world’s premier global logistics community –– facilitating improved performance and productivity of logistics operations around the world. As part of this community, PinPoint’s customers will have access to the Global Logistics Network and additional solutions via Descartes’ Logistics Technology Platform. For instance, PinPoint customers will now have access to Descartes’ Routing, Mobile and Telematics suite, an integrated platform of technology solutions for managing delivery operations. The suite unites optimized delivery route planning, dispatching and GPS tracking, mobile applications, vehicle telematics, fleet/driver compliance and performance analytics. Read more about this acquisition by visiting the Descartes website: https://www.descartes.com/pinpoint.

Geotab Connect – June 11 – 13, 2018

June 14, 2018 - by Vince Arone

Geotab’s biggest annual conference is held to give people the opportunity to connect with Resellers, Customers, Marketplace partners, Geotab employees, industry speakers, and experts.

We attended this year and were included in the conversation about key industry topics including hearing how open data is transforming the telematics landscape, best practices in security, and how fleet tracking is helping companies reduce costs.

Truck World 2018 – Raffle Draw Winner

May 14, 2018 - by Vince Arone

PinPoint was honoured to gift Manpreet Sidhu from Cargo Transport with an LG Tablet from our raffle draw at this year’s Truck World Show! Special thanks to Vikram Gill of Relevant Connections Inc for donating the Tablet!

Gathering of UL Alumni

May 9, 2018 - by Vince Arone

PinPoint is proud to be part of the Gathering of University of Limerick Alumni event at the Fifth Social Pubhouse on Thursday, May 31st at 6 pm, hope to see you there!

Truck World Show 2018

April 26, 2018 - by Vince Arone

What a great show! We had so much fun at the Truck World Show and we can’t wait to see you next time! We would like to say thank you to everyone for spending time visiting us!
 
As always, PinPoint strives for the highest levels of customer service and is continually making improvements in this regard. If you have any valuable opinions you would like to share with us, please refer to our contact information and feel free to reach out.

Wonderful Moments:

Customer Retention

March 26, 2018 - by Vince Arone

PinPoint entered the GPS business over a decade ago, and it never ceases to amaze me how many of our customers have been with us from the beginning.  Our account base has grown year over year, and that is in large part due to the loyalty of our existing customers.  It has been a critical part of our success.

Every company knows it is costly to replace lost business, but PinPoint placed an emphasis on customer retention early on and it has paid great dividends in terms of customer loyalty and long-term relationships.

I was recently asked how PinPoint is different and why we’ve been able to keep these long-term customers.  I think it really comes down to these 5 things:

• Evolving When Necessary: Our products have evolved over time to address the needs of our clients and stay ahead of the technology curve. We’ve also adapted our internal processes many times over the years to better serve our growing customer base and continually improve on how we do things.

• Focusing on our Core Competencies. In a time where many companies are trying to be all things to all people, PinPoint has been very selective about the solutions and services it has brought to market.   We remain primarily a GPS and Telematics company, which allows us to provide superior expertise.

• Employee Engagement: Everyone at PinPoint knows that employee engagement is a key part of our culture. Every employee is encouraged to look for better ways to do things, think outside the box, and understand each other’s roles. In addition, we all know that the customer is paramount.   In every role, staff are encouraged to understand that everything we do has an impact on customer experience.

• Customer Engagement: Basically, we listen to our customers. We welcome feedback about our products, how customers use them, what else is in the market, and our customer service.  We provide customers with flexibility where possible, and use feedback to improve our delivery of GPS products and services.

• Always Looking to Increase Value: In a world where technology is constantly evolving and commoditization is an issue, adding value is critical. When a customer buys a GPS system from PinPoint, we make it our mission to make sure they are getting the maximum value from that investment. This may involve periodic account reviews, notifications for down devices, customer surveys, proactive phone calls and e-mails, training sessions, custom reporting, and so on.

The GPS landscape is constantly changing, most recently with the implementation of regulatory requirements around Electronic Log Data (ELD).  It’s been great to see how many of our customers have come to us to seek our expertise and help them navigate.  We look forward to many more years of success for our customers and PinPoint alike.

Truck World 2018

March 12, 2018 - by Vince Arone

PinPoint is excited about exhibiting at TruckWorld 2018. Come and see us at booth #7

If you’re interested in it, please register here and enter discount (VIP CODE): PINPOINT, and save the $10 Registration Fee.
 

PinPoint Accepts PAD&EFT

February 6, 2018 - by Vince Arone

Be eco-friendly with your payment – PinPoint now accepts Preauthorized Debit (PAD) & Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) Payments!

Advantages of using PAD & EFT

– Low commission: less banking fees than fees charged for credit card payments
– Time saving: Faster and easier than mailing cheque payments
– Less administrative task for your company’s asset payable team
– Reduce risk of loss and theft

What do we need from our new customer?

– Void cheque and signed PAD or signed EFT form from customer are required.

How to sign up?

– Download PAD
– Email our Accounting Department for inquiry regarding EFT

COSTI Syrian Refugee Professional Internship Program

January 16, 2018 - by Vince Arone

This article is retrieved from COSTI Immigrant Services, please go to its website to review the full content.

Over 25,000 refugees began their journey from Syria to Canada in 2015. According to Mario Calla, Executive Director of COSTI Immigrant Services in Toronto, “escaping from suffering and persecution is just the first step in a long journey for refugees. When they arrive here in their new country, they encounter a new series of challenges.” Our goal, he says, is to “help refugee families get the best start for their new life in Canada.”

COSTI, along with a network of partners, is on the front line of refugee reception and settlement. They are the lead agency helping Government Sponsored Refugees (GSRs) in the Toronto region. Like many service providers, COSTI finds working with refugees both a rewarding and challenging experience. What works best, according to Julie Darboh, COSTI’s Director of Employment Services, is a targeted and focused approach: ”Clients such as the Syrian newcomers require more hand-holding to assist them in gaining their confidence and self-worth. Such a specialized service is better able to prepare program participants, identify niche markets and opportunities for the unique skills and abilities of a focused and marginalized client groups.”

And like all newcomers, the faster refugees find employment, the quicker they will engage and become self-sufficient members of the community.

How it works

COSTI screened refugee candidates for their English skills and professional backgrounds, eventually accepting twenty-seven into the refugee professional internship program. The candidates represented a wide range of professional backgrounds, including architects, engineers, accountants, social workers, IT and business specialists, software developers, and more. COSTI’s employment programs for internationally trained Individuals formed the backbone of the initial orientation and program development.

A two week compressed workshop provided information about adapting to workplace culture and preparing a professional portfolio. COSTI specialists worked with each client to guide them through the job application and interview process. That included tailoring each curriculum vitae (CV) to the Canadian context, using an anonymous CV format designed to reduce the risk of overt, or ‘unconscious’ discrimination that a growing body of research has highlighted as a barrier to immigrant employment.

COSTI also provided real-world insight and network. The refugee candidates had access to local guest speakers to learn exactly what employers were looking for. Their credentials were assessed by World Education Services (WES), under a pilot Alternative Credential Assessment for Syrian Refugees project.

According to Mahmoud Bakkar, a program participant who was an IT professional in Damascus, “COSTI training was really unique. If focused on soft skills. It hit on workplace communications, culture and work ethics specific to a Canadian context. The internship itself exposed me to the Canadian workplace culture, and allowed me to sharpen my soft skills, work with professionals. It increased my self-confidence and awareness. And that’s what I truly gained. That was the key for me to land the next job.”

As the Syrian professionals were taking their crash course in Canadian employment, COSTI was reaching out to its extensive employer network. Like the many Canadians who stepped forward during the Syrian refugee crisis, the response from Toronto area employers has been catalytic. COSTI found employers who were willing to host workers for the full 10 week internships. Many were willing to top up their interns’ wages in recognition of the applicant’s skills and experience.

Bakkar notes the benefits of a paid internship: “Having internships paid is a win-win situation. It encourages the employer to hire newcomers and immigrants, and helps the employee to practice in the new work culture and gain the required soft skills while earning an income. The first job that a newcomer or an immigrant gets is like the foundation stone for their immigration journey to Canada — getting this right would make the whole journey smooth.”

Employer efforts were transformative

Pinpoint GPS Solutions, a fleet management business that has partnered with COSTI for over 20 years, was quick to respond to COSTI’s new internship program. COSTI had no trouble providing three applicants for a general accounting position they needed to support a challenging systems implementation involving an integrated financial and accounting module. Among them, Samer Arafeh stood out for his extensive international experience but was also over-qualified for the job, with poor English skills. That was a potential problem, as the company’shiring manager and small business owner, Vince Arone, knows well: “It’s important to get the best fit possible for each job.” They took a chance anyways, offering Arafeh a 3 month internship. “Even though this was not our original hiring plan,” Arone comments, “Samer’s professionalism and willingness to learn helped convince us.”

It turned out to be a win-win proposition for both parties. Arone: “I learned that our team member from Syria just needed a “first chance,” an opportunity to be in a Canadian office to see how we do business, understand the processes, the protocol, speaking to fellow employees, answering emails and phone calls from customers and suppliers. Not to mention the slang and local business terms”

On his side, the highly qualified Arafeh learned that he’d launched his career in Canada with a welcoming, multicultural team. He realized “how similar we are regardless of where we are born.”

The risk paid off. Today, Arafeh is fully employed and a valued team member at Pinpoint GPS Systems.

Upcoming ORBA Events

January 9, 2018 - by Vince Arone

ORBA 91st Convention and Annual General Meeting

February 5-6, 2018 – Fairmont Royal York, Toronto

PinPoint will be exhibiting at the 91st Annual Ontario Road Builders Association Convention (ORBA). ORBA has been the voice of the road building industry, representing interests of contractors and goods and service providers, which employ over 30,000 workers. As a long time member of ORBA, PinPoint holds a position on the Health and Safety Committee, and continuously supports technology initiatives for Safety and Compliance through the use of Big Data Telematics.

ORBA Superbowl Huddle

 
PinPoint will also be attending the ORBA Superbowl Huddle Event at Real Sports, Sunday February 4th. We have a limited quantity of tickets available. Please contact Tim Vezina tvezina@pinpointgps.ca for more information.

Geotab DRIVE HOS Documents

December 19, 2017 - by Vince Arone

With ELDs now being mandatory in the United States, please ensure that these documents are in every vehicle at all times:

• Data Diagnostic and Malfunction Events: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx-Ij37uV33INHkxY0VnNzFBaVU/view

• Driver’s Guide to Hours of Service and Inspection Reports: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzEIGw5fONHuNjVGVHV1RGVyQjQ/view

• Driver’s Guide to Data Transfer at Roadside Inspection: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx-Ij37uV33IXzZKOWtoNGI1OUZONmJ1NG9STWRYMi1QOThV/view

Also, there’s a couple of new videos that we highly recommend you use for training:

• This video provides a quick overview of how to use the Geotab Drive mobile app for Hours of Service (HOS), Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR) and Messaging: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhjP6-Ml1Wc&

• A guide on how to set up drivers, vehicles, company information and all additional required information from an administrator point of view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qxM3VYofAg&

Geotab Wins GreenFleet Award for IT Innovation

December 18, 2017 - by Vince Arone

The article retrieved from Geotab, on Dec 18, 2017.

Geotab is delighted to have been named the winner of the GreenFleet award in the IT Innovation category for advancement in fleet technology. The GreenFleet Awards recognize organizations that have successfully adopted low emission vehicles and innovative fuel saving solutions, along with manufacturers and innovators of low carbon technologies.

Impressed with the Geotab GO telematics device, which plugs into a vehicle’s OBD II port and monitors information including dangerous driving habits and CO2 emissions, the judges also praised Geotab’s company ethos, to help businesses improve road safety and reduce their environmental impact.

Supporting Hybrid and Electric Fleets

Geotab is dedicated to continuously advancing its technological capabilities and is grateful to be recognized externally for the work it does. Part of this work includes the support for hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as alternative and advancing fuel technologies such as CNG, LPG and Hydrogen.

Through the Geotab GO device, Geotab also provides support for HV battery voltage and current, charge current, HVAC status, electric motor RPM, combustion engine RPM, electric motor temperature and minimum/maximum cell voltage and position.

Integrating with Innovation

As a key focus for the business, Geotab is continuing to push its emphasis on electric vehicles. In addition to integration with Tesla, BMW and Kia/Hyundai, we are having a number of exciting conversations with more electric vehicle manufacturers and participating on projects supporting sustainable infrastructure.

Another important partnership for the business is that with Adgero S.A.S. which uses Geotab telematics as part of its Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) on rigids and semi-trailers to gather information on fuel consumption, vehicle performance and geo-localisation. This data allows Adgero S.A.S. to offer a real value-add to its HGV operators clients through maximum fuel economy gains.

Working Towards a Greener Economy

Geotab recognizes innovation, development and evolution as necessary to staying ahead, and this is reflected in the organization’s core values of “developing for the future,” “embracing change” and “innovation.” These values also extend to the available solutions, which are designed and built so they can be used for decades thanks to the quality of work happening at each stage of the development process.

Geotab also acknowledges its environmental responsibility with regards to protecting and promoting a green economy and is continuing efforts in the innovation and efficient use of materials to help preserve the earth’s natural resources.

If you are interested in Geotab products, please contact PinPoint at sales@pinpointgps.ca or at 905-624-6477.

ELD Data Transfer Options for Geotab Drive

December 12, 2017 - by Vince Arone

Carriers and owner-operators who have already adopted electronic logging will need to know how to digitally transfer their Hours of Service (HOS) data to an officer at an inspection site. This blog post describes how ELD data transfer works with Geotab Cloud ELD.

ELD Data Transfer Methods for Geotab

Currently, there are three options provided by Geotab:

Report Display — The officer has to be able to access the phone/tablet and view a compliant report of the HOS logs. This method is the fallback if there are any internet connectivity issues when transferring data using other methods.
Email — An encrypted message is sent to the FMCSA directly and is then routed back to an officer.
Web Services — Using encrypted HTTPS, the data is transferred over the internet to the FMCSA servers and then downloaded by the officer on their eRODs device.

The optional comment is to be filled in by the officer. This is so they are able to pick up transfered data via email/web services on their eROD device.

When using email, the FMCSA will respond to the party that sent the message with an “Okay” or error message.

If the driver’s username is an email address, Geotab will mark the driver as the person the FMCSA will reply to. This lets drivers find out on their own email system the result of the data transfer. The driver’s logs are not returned in the message, just the confirmation receipt.

Example responses from the FMCSA web services include:

Warnings: Invalid VIN
Information: Missing Required Field
Errors: Invalid Field Length
If Geotab is running, but the FMCSA servers have connection issues, you will get a message saying “Timeout communicating with FMCSA web service”. In this case, your best plan of action is to try Email or Report Display options.
The “Broadcast” message is provided by the FMCSA to all drivers, and Geotab outputs the broadcast on all web service responses

Sample ELD data transfer error message

At the outset of ELD enforcement, the FMCSA may not have fully rolled out their eRODs system, so drivers may be responsible for handing their phone/tablet to the officer to display the generated Compliance Report.

Advantages of Telematics Transfer by Web

The ELD regulations also allow local data transfer options (USB or Bluetooth®), but those are prone to spotty connections or cumbersome USB wires.

IOT is taking the world by storm, so Geotab embraces the future-based transfer methods that are simple for both drivers and officers. Web services are more responsive and will return confirmation or errors back to the driver immediately from the FMCSA servers.

We recommend web services as the first approach, but you must check with the officer/state as to their chosen methods. Each state has its own choice over what system to use, and it is likely that they will focus on web services.

Both email and web services data are fully encrypted between Geotab and the FMCSA to protect drivers’ data from theft or man-in-the-middle attacks.

Get Up and Running with ELDs

Now, you understand how to deal with getting your electronic data quickly and easily to the FMCSA with the Geotab Drive Transfer logs feature. If you still need to get you or your drivers up and running before the ELD phase begins, please go to our Geotab Cloud ELD page to learn more.

Idling Wastes Fuel and Money

December 4, 2017 - by Vince Arone

Many things can affect the fuel consumption of your vehicle: your driving style and behaviour, vehicle acceleration, braking and driving speed, overall age and operating condition of your vehicle, temperature, weather, traffic, road conditions, as well as drive systems and powered accessories (e.g. air conditioning) installed on your vehicle.

The millions of Canadians who drive vehicles every day can take steps to help save fuel and money, and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that contribute to climate change. The solutions include actions such as carefully planning trips by combining errands, driving at the posted speed limits, avoiding jackrabbit starts and stops, maintaining proper tire pressure, or even walking or taking a bus instead of the car. But one of the easiest actions that motorists can take is to avoid unnecessary idling.

In fact, one of the most powerful arguments in favour of reduced idling is an economic one. For the average vehicle with a 3-litre engine, every 10 minutes of idling costs 300 millilitres (over 1 cup) in wasted fuel – and one half of a litre (over 2 cups) if your vehicle has a 5-litre engine. Unnecessary idling wastes fuel – and wasted fuel is wasted money.

Many Canadian fleet operators have implemented idling policies to reduce their fuel costs and improve their competitiveness. With today’s high fuel prices, individual Canadians might be well-advised to consider adopting their own personal idling policy.

If drivers of light-duty vehicles avoided idling by just three minutes a day, over the year Canadians would collectively save 630 million litres of fuel, and $630 million in fuel costs (assuming a fuel cost of $1.00/L).

Idling longer than 10 seconds uses more fuel and produces more CO2 compared to restarting the engine. But will turning off the vehicle to avoid idling result in higher maintenance costs and extra wear and tear for the starter and battery? Actually, the break-even point to offset any incremental maintenance costs is under 60 seconds. You’ll save money on fuel that should more than offset any potential increase in maintenance costs. And your vehicle won’t produce unnecessary emissions of CO2, the principle greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

Considering all factors, ifyou’re going to be stopped for more than 60 seconds – except in traffic – turn the engine off. Unnecessary idling wastes money and fuel, and produces greenhouse gases (GHGs) that contribute to climate change.

If you’re a typical Canadian driver, you should have lots of opportunities to put your personal idling policy into practice. Research indicates that many Canadian motorists idle their vehicles an average of six to eight minutes a day. Results drawn from a 1998 Survey of Attitudes, Awareness and Behaviour of Drivers suggest that in the winter, Canadians voluntarily idle their vehicles for a combined total of more than 75 million minutes a day. For this day alone, over 2.2 million litres of fuel would be used, producing over five million kilograms of GHGs and equal the amount of fuel required to drive over 1100 vehicles for a year or to idle one vehicle for 144 years! We idle about 40 percent less in summer, but for Canadian motorists it still amounts to a significant waste of fuel and money.

There’s another issue to consider. Most gasoline is derived from crude oil, a non-renewable resource. We’re not in danger of running out in the near future, but crude oil reserves in Canada and around the world are dwindling and the demand for oil is expected to increase, resulting in higher oil prices. Why waste this valuable resource?

To sum up, gasoline is costly, its use has significant environmental impacts, and there’s not an endless supply – three good reasons not to waste fuel through unnecessary vehicle idling.

Retrieved from Natural Resources Canada on November 4, 2017:  Website

How Technology Impacts Fuel Efficiency

November 27, 2017 - by Vince Arone

Fuel efficient trucking — is it possible? Based on the results from the Run on Less roadshow, the answer is “Yes.” Read this article to learn how a team of truck drivers proved that fuel efficiency is achievable.

The State of Fuel Economy in Trucking

When it comes to fuel economy in the trucking industry, there is room for improvement. The Annual Fleet Fuel Study by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) reports that the national average truck fuel economy is only 5.83 MPG. Considering the rising cost of fuel in the U.S., the need to improve fuel economy becomes more urgent as time passes.

Why fuel efficiency in trucking is important:

• Lowering fuel consumption saves money (NACFE study showed raising fuel economy to 7.06 MPG saves a fleet $4,653 per truck).
• The average diesel fuel price has risen over $1.20 since 2003.
• Fuel impacts the bottom line (fuel costs represent 24% of a fleet’s total operating costs).
• Using less fuel benefits the environment through reduced emissions.

Geotab Research Shows Fuel Economy Performance by State

To provide more insight into the state of fuel economy in trucking, Geotab looked at the average fuel economy of a sample of over 30,000 Class 7 and Class 8 trucks equipped with a Geotab GO telematics device, for a one year time span from June 2016 to July 2017, located in the continental United States and Canada.

The findings:

• Average miles per gallon of Class 7 and Class 8 trucks is 4.51 MPG to 6.47 MPG.
• British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan had the lowest average MPG in the results.
• Rhode Island, Massachussetts, and Delaware tied with Wisconsin for the highest average MPG.

See the heat map with average MPG results (click on button or image below).

The aim of this research is to provide a baseline tool to help trucking fleets in their efforts to improve fuel efficiency through driver coaching and newer truck specification options. The research was conducted using Google BigQuery, Google Datalab Notebooks using Python, and streaming live telematics data from Geotab’s Big Data platform.

As said by Mike Roeth, NACFE Executive Director, “Every year the North American trucking industry spends $40 billion too much on their fuel bill. We can cut this significantly with the right efficiency technologies.” Geotab offers many tools to help businesses optimize their fleets, including fuel efficiency reporting, driver coaching with Geotab GO TALK, predictive maintenance, and remote diagnostics.

Run on Less Results: Geotab Data Shows Fuel Efficiency Is Possible

Fuel efficiency in trucking is within reach, as shown by the results of the Run on Less campaign. Seven Class 8 trucks, equipped with efficiency technologies, and Geotab GO devices, drove over 50,000 miles across the country in a three week roadshow. The Run on Less team successfully met and exceeded the original goal of 9 MPG.

Thanks to fuel efficient technology and driving best practices, the Run on Less fleets saved $7,193 and 2,877 gallons of fuel, and achieved an outstanding 10.1 MPG.

If the over 1.7 million trucks in North America achieved the same MPG, the overall savings would total $24.3 billion, 9.7 billion gallons of diesel fuel, and 98 million tons of CO2 annually, according to the Rocky Mountain Institute.

For the original article, please go to: Run on Less: Drivers Show How Technology Impacts Fuel Efficiency

NRC IRAP Successful Story: PinPoint Brings High Technology to Fleet Management

November 15, 2017 - by Vince Arone

For the original article, please negative to Building Smart Cities – Canadian firm brings high tech to fleet management

Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) of National Research Council Canada (NRC) provides customized innovation and funding services to business, accelerating the achievement of strategic goals through innovation and technology.

As one of the NRC IRAP successful stories, PinPoint GPS Solutions scores success with its integrated smart systems for tracking and improving the performance of commercial trucking and transportation fleets.

“With NRC IRAP we always know we can bounce ideas off our ITA. This spells partnership to me.”
Vince Arone, General Manager and Co-Founder, PinPoint GPS Solutions

November 10, 2017— Mississauga, Ontario

Is your city a “smart” city? Picture the world of WALL-E, TRON: Legacy, or Tomorrowland. Like the futuristic cities of Hollywood, today’s smart cities harness advances in telecommunications, sensors, data collection and integration, and automation.

While flying cars are not here yet, we are well on our way towards creating the green infrastructure, intelligent transportation, and other data-driven technologies that will make our urban areas healthier and more sustainable.

PinPoint GPS Solutions of Mississauga, Ontario is at the forefront of this transition. With help from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), PinPoint GPS is creating integrated smart systems for tracking and improving the performance of commercial transportation fleets.

The tech company’s plug-and-play computer module fits into a vehicle and can seamlessly monitor and analyze engine performance, route efficiency, and driver behaviour. Combining artificial intelligence, GPS, and cloud computing, this technology enables clients to “follow” their fleet anywhere and obtain real-time data for business and environmental optimization.

“We started PinPoint GPS to help businesses become greener and improve their bottom line,” recalled Vince Arone, General Manager and Co-Founder of the company. “Where are their vehicles on the road? How fast are they going? How often is the engine idling? We can wirelessly transmit these details back to the client.”

Arone, and his partners at the time, Brian Barry and Bob Farrell, came out of executive positions in the telecommunications industry ten years ago to start PinPoint GPS in Arone’s basement. “The world of autonomous cars, and the telematics that could wirelessly connect them, was on the horizon,” said Arone.

“We wanted to be part of that technology wave – improving business productivity in the transportation and construction sectors while tackling challenges such as urban congestion, air quality, and climate change.”

New technology leads to new clients

The technology was a hit, and the company landed several flagship service companies as clients. However, success brought new challenges, especially for their business processes.

In 2014, PinPoint GPS turned to NRC IRAP for advice and support to enhance their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to handle the complexities of managing trackers for thousands of vehicles on the road at the same time. With NRC IRAP on board, the company launched an R&D program to develop a cloud-based system tailored to their needs, hiring several recent computing and engineering graduates to kickstart the work.

“What NRC IRAP did for us was critical and timely,” emphasized Arone. “They helped us conduct a review of our ERP system and develop the software we needed. Now we can handle the majority of our data flow automatically. Our people can focus on analytics and other more complex tasks to advance the business.”

The company now has another NRC IRAP project underway – this time to build new features and compatibilities into their ERP so the software can work with a wider range of clients’ business programs. With data collected by this enhanced solution, PinPoint GPS will be able to provide more comprehensive reporting, including detailed information from individual trackers. A new service ticket system will enable staff to efficiently track client service requests. These additions will help clients gain even greater value from working with PinPoint GPS.

“It’s all part of the business and R&D strategies that we’ve been working on with the company,” explained Baraa El-Kadri, the NRC IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) who works with the firm. “The goal is to enhance the company’s core competencies – strengthening its value proposition, and making the product offering more compelling for larger clients. We hope to build long-lasting loyalty to the brand.”

“I have to give kudos to Baraa,” said Arone. “He has a wealth of knowledge, and gives so much time to us. He has connected us with businesses, other government agencies, and universities so we can grow.”

Geotab Registers FMCSA-Compliant ELD Solution

October 31, 2017 - by Vince Arone

Geotab Cloud ELD solution simplifies compliance for all fleets ahead of the mandate

Toronto, ON – October, 16, 2017 – Geotab, an award-winning globally recognized leader in telematics technology, today announced its electronic logging device (ELD) solution, Geotab Cloud ELD, is now registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). A reliable fleet compliance management platform for monitoring and recording Hours of Service (HOS), Geotab Cloud ELD is designed to ease customer implementation of the ELD mandate which aims to improve highway safety and is slated to take effect December 18, 2017.

The Geotab Cloud ELD platform interconnects the Geotab GO telematics device with a mobile device running the Geotab Drive app (available for Android and iOS) through a secured cloud-based server operating the MyGeotab fleet management software. Unlike hard-wired or Bluetooth paired solutions that use a time-based approach with periodic status checks, the GO device continuously records and transmits data to the cloud-based program to effectively monitor and record HOS, including Records of Duty Status (RODS) and Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRS). Geotab Cloud ELD does not require an in-vehicle pairing process and is highly reliable and robust as the Geotab platform security is designed for end-to-end protection of data.

“For drivers and fleet operators, choosing an ELD solution that is proven, reliable and FMCSA registered will help ensure accurate driver logs, compliance and a seamless transition ahead of the mandate,” says Neil Cawse, CEO, Geotab. “Geotab Cloud ELD is a great solution leveraging cohesive technologies at an economical cost for a single operator, with integrated features and an open platform for managing large fleets.”

Geotab Cloud ELD enables advanced options including vehicle inspection reports, IFTA support, routing, risk management, accident reconstruction, driver safety, and third-party add-in solutions including cameras, temperature and tire pressure monitoring. Replacing proprietary systems with Geotab Cloud ELD can translate into overall cost savings including the ability to use readily available smartphones and tablets while also supporting a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) interest from fleet operators.

“Every fleet has unique and dynamic management needs, but data logging reliability and driver convenience should not be viewed as mutually exclusive. Transitioning to Geotab’s cloud solution is a logical next step as the commercial trucking industry prepares to meet the ELD mandate,” adds Cawse.

To learn more about the FMCSA ELD mandate and the Geotab Cloud ELD solution, please visit www.geotab.com/eld.

Countdown To The ELD Mandate

June 2, 2017 - by Vince Arone

In 2015, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released a decision mandating the use of electronic logging devices (ELD’s). The deadline for compliance with their ELD mandate is now fast approaching – by December of 2017, all carriers that operate within or travel through the United States must switch their paper logs for ELD’s. These ELD’s must be registered with the FMCSA, meeting the technical specifications they’ve laid out, and they must be certified by a manufacturer.

So, what is an ELD? And how does this mandate affect you?

The device itself attaches to a commercial motor vehicle, synchronizes with the engine, automatically records a driver’s hours of service (HoS), and simplifies the driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR) process, while also collecting important information such as location, engine hours, vehicle movement, and miles driven. By providing “snapshots” of the vehicle’s movements and location throughout the day, ELD’s can facilitate considerably more accurate recording of any driver activity.

Beyond fleet compliance with FMCSA regulations, ELD’s offer many advantages to motor carriers.  ELD’s allow for increased levels of productivity and efficiency for fleet owners, as well as improving driver safety. Using an ELD saves time and money by simplifying the records of duty process, and increasing the efficiency of vehicle inspections, which significantly reduces the amount of time drivers spend doing paperwork. The DVIR process also is made easier by automating reports, making them easier to submit and access. This allows for more drive time, more clerical time for office staff, and a reduction in paper costs, as paper log books are no longer necessary. The increased HoS compliance that comes from the automatic recording of duty status will be able to prevent fatigued drivers from getting behind the wheel, and the engine fault reporting will allow for better vehicle maintenance.

With the ELD deadline fast approaching, the FMCSA is currently working on the development of the Electronic Records of Duty Status (EROD) software system. This system will ultimately be the one through which all ELD records will be submitted from companies to the FMCSA. Until this software is fully prepared to receive logs, no solution can boast full compliance with regulations, as they have not been exposed to the crucial reporting process of the ELD mandate.

PinPoint offers Geotab Drive Solution; a mobile app that tracks Hours of Service (HoS), Driver Vehicle Inspection Reporting (DVIR), and driver identification. The app syncs data between a Geotab GO device and a tablet to provide functions such as automatic duty status changes, violation alerts, and complete end-to-end workflow inspection. It is estimated that the FMCSA’s EROD solution will be ready for use this summer, and you can expect GeoTab’s Drive Solution to develop the requirements to communicate with the EROD application as soon as the necessary information is released by the FMCSA.

PinPoint has extensive experience with the rollout of the ELD process. Check out what our client,  TM3 Inc. has to say about their experience with PinPoint’s ELD solution:

In late 2015, TM3 Inc. reviewed their deployment process for day to day routing of maintenance crews. By reviewing their metrics and working together with their Telematics provider, they planned for the implementation of a three phased project for Electronic Logging Devices, Custom Aerial Inspection application for Bucket Trucks, as well as an integrated Route Planning and scheduling application. “As we measured our administrative and labour cost of processing logs and routes, we knew that paper administration was extremely costly to our overall operation”, said Terry Moore, VP of TM3 Inc. “We engaged with PinPoint GPS Solutions and created a plan to expand our current telematics solution adding their Electronic Log solution on tablet devices in our Heavy Duty Trucks. We expanded in Phase II and III of our Upgrade to add 2 additional applications to minimize paper; customized Aerial Inspection, and real-time routing. These tools allowed us to minimize our inspection times significantly, and gain some huge time savings on our routing processes, as well as making it easier to monitor compliance”. TM3 continues to utilize key features from the PinPoint Solution to manage Engine Fault notifications. Driver Behavior reporting and maintenance on a day to day basis.

Contact Us to find out more about how we can help you receive all the benefits that ELD has to offer.

American Trucking Association Conference

October 4, 2016 - by Vince Arone

Elog presentations and discussions at American Trucking Associations 2016 Annual Conference in Las Vegas

PinPoint with Geotab at American Trucking Association Conference in Las Vegas 2016

PinPoint with SkyBitz at the American Trucking Association Conference in Las Vegas 2016

Telematics – Five Essential Secrets to Painless Deployment

September 29, 2016 - by Vince Arone

ECAO Article

PinPoint Sponsorship At ECAO Industry Conference

September 22, 2016 - by Vince Arone

On September 22nd, 2016 ECA Ontario tweeted, ‘Thanks to @Pinpoint_GPS for being a sponsor of our @ECAOntario Industry Conference bags. Be sure to visit our product expo!’

Road Safety Tips from ORBA to Ensure Construction Zone Safety

July 27, 2016 - by Vince Arone

• Adhere to posted speed limits and other signage on the road.
• Speed limits change in construction zones for a reason. Make sure you follow posted signage and exercise caution in construction zones.
• Avoid distractions while driving.
• Only use your cell phone when parked, pre-set climate control and plan your route with a GPS before departing. Eliminating distractions will help you stay focused on the road.
•  Plan ahead to avoid delays.
• Give yourself extra time for your commute. Know where construction zones and other delays are beforehand so they’re not unexpected and cause a delay.
• Treat construction zones as if they were your own workplace.

Construction zones are road builders’ workplace. Show respect for the workers by treating it as if it were your own workplace.

ORBA Launches Site Unseen Campaign

- by Vince Arone

A new survey released by the Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) found that 28% of drivers admit that they are not always focused on the road while driving. This can lead to speeding, weaving or failing to notice road signage, putting both drivers and road workers at risk.

To educate drivers about the safety risks associated with ignoring road rules in construction zones, ORBA has launched an educational campaign. Site Unseen is a video series that imagines what would happen if the types of behaviours drivers display in construction zones were instead conducted by road workers in other professional settings.

The message from ORBA is simple: construction zones are workplaces and should be treated with respect and consideration for their workers. The Site Unseen videos will run throughout the summer. The campaign is supported by ORBA, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Labour and the Ontario Provincial Police.

Pinpoint’s Support to Fort McMurray

May 19, 2016 - by Vince Arone

As the Canadian Red Cross continues its response to the devastation left by the massive wildfires in the Fort McMurray area, the employees at Pinpoint GPS Solutions have come together to donate to the cause.

To show support for our customers and all those affected by the fire in Fort McMurray, the company has matched every dollar donated by its employees. This donation, combined with the matching federal funds, should help our friends in a time of need.

Pinpoint salutes the The Canadian Red Cross’ amazing work as they provide accommodations, food, water and supplies to evacuees.

All of us at Pinpoint GPS Solutions wish the Fort McMurry people well and a safe return home.

PinPoint GPS at Truck World 2014

April 25, 2014 - by Vince Arone

We are excited to share that we participated in Truck World 2014.

During the event, our General Manager – Vince Arone, had a chance to meet with Hayle Wickenheiser. As a keynote speaker she shared her inspirational story on winning gold medal at 2014 Winter Olympics.

Pinpoint’s 4th Year Participation at CMPX 2014

March 20, 2014 - by Vince Arone

An entire Metro Convention Center filled with thousands of products for heating, air conditioning, ventilation, plumbing, piping, refrigeration and emerging technologies, you’ll see Pinpoint GPS booth among the ones to look out for. This year we kicked off CMPX with new, bright tradeshow booth display.

Three full days filled with learning sessions, fleet tracking demonstrations and give away. Our Sales experts are there to answer all your questions and to demonstrate the latest Geotab’s GO fleet management system.

It’s not too late yet… visit us until Friday at 4pm at Booth 241.

Looking forward to see you soon!

Don’t Miss Pinpoint GPS at CMPX 2014

March 14, 2014 - by Vince Arone

Please join us on March 19-21, 2014 at CMPX – The Biggest Mechanical & Plumbing tradeshow in Ontario. We are excited to meet and show you the latest plug-and-play technology in the GPS industry.

Tradeshow Details
Booth 221 (in-front of the Van giveaway)
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
255 Front St. W., Toronto Ontario
Wednesday, March 19 10am-6pm
Thursday, March 20 10am-6pm
Friday, March 21 10am-4pm


Come and see us for live demonstration, $100 fuel card raffle draw, and a chance to speak with our top-notch GPS experts!

Press Release: PinPoint GPS Solutions to Participate at the Biggest Mechanical & Plumbing Show in Toronto, CMPX 2014 with Geotab Technology


We look forward to seeing you

Christmas is in the Air: Red bows, Gift Boxes and Wines!

December 16, 2013 - by Vince Arone

We are happy to share the enthusiasm and Christmas spirit inside the four walls of PinPoint Office. We will also be sending out donation initiative for Sick Kids in lieu of opened Christmas and forwarded emails.


On behalf of PinPoint Staff, we would like to greet you

Happy Holidays! May the warmth of hearth and home fill your hearts with joy this holiday season

Feel free to have a glimpse of it…

We are ready for Health and Safety Show in Alberta

October 21, 2013 - by Vince Arone

Our staff, Bob Farrell and Peter Paige, are all set and ready to go for the first day of HSCSA Tradeshow in Booth 906,  BMO Centre Alberta.

Don’t forget to stop by and ask questions about our GPS tracking system and its benefits. 

PinPoint GPS at Health and Safety Conference in Alberta

October 18, 2013 - by Vince Arone

We would like to invite you in Health and Safety Conference in Alberta on October 21 and 22.

Please find us in booth 906 at BMO Cente Alberta. Bob Farrell and Peter Paige will be there to answers all your question regarding GPS Fleet Tracking system.

You can also find more information here on our latest press release!

We look forward to seeing you on Monday at 11:30 AM. Don’t forget, Booth 906!

PinPoint GPS Fleet Tracking Journal: High Fuel Cost

October 10, 2013 - by Vince Arone

PinPoint Journal By Peter Paige

Case Study : Site Supervisors

Industry: Construction

Problem: High fuel cost with some supervisors, and lack of accountability to management and subordinates. Fuel by 2 of the supervisors was over double the other 2 with same work load.

 
Pinpoint Installed four Go6 units in The 4 supervisors truck, they were not told initially that the units were in the vehicles. Benchmarked for one week to see what would happen  two supervisors had excessive idle time compounded by multiple return trips to the materials supplier in the same day, and excessive breaks ie Tim Hortons. Two other supervisors had more than necessary idle time but nothing like the first two. They too had multiple trips to the materials supplier.

Ops manager had meeting with all four supervisors after the 1st week to tell them they had these units in their trucks . Reviewed the data with each Site Supervisor, especially the idling and excessive trips to the supplier. One supervisor was warned about the amount of time spent at Fast Food places. All supervisors were asked why the multiple trips, why are they not planning their day better ie list of materials from supplier, so as to stop wasting time and fuel as their job is to be on site.

All Supervisors reminded to turn vehicles off when not required to be running .
Ops manager initiated a bi weekly review of data with Supervisors and then moved to monthly

Results: Able to reduce amount of trips to suppliers from multiple trips per day per site to less than a trip per day , by planning out the materials for the week, after initial week , they were able to reduce idle time by 12% in the 1st month of August . Site Supervisors spend the majority of time on site .
Ops manager is happy with the results and is implementing the data from the Geotab product into one on one reviews