Does anyone know if it is in the works, for paperless logs to be manitory in trucks in the near future?
Hi-tech truckers and paperless logs
· By: Drivers.com staff
· Date: 2004-10-15
Comments (12) Join conversation
Some truck 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 drivers gets back into the cab to drive they simply push the "Start Drive Time" button. When finished driving they hit the "Stop Drive Time" button. The information is transmitted to 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 drive’s 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. 
Comments
Judy, on Friday, 17. November 2006 at 08:21 PM
mjjp, on Friday, 15. December 2006 at 10:32 PM
I am sure it will catch on. This is great and hope all trucks and BUSES get the message.As an interstate bus driver it is a real pain to try to have to log when you cross state lines along with mileage etc and then at the end of the trip put it to paper with a ruler and pen.
KLH, on Sunday, 24. December 2006 at 03:58 AM
If they do become mandatory in the future hundreds of thousands of independant operators like me will be out of business due to the added expense of paying someone else (Qualcomm) to electronically keep records on my driving.
Will be the worst blow since Carter de-regulated trucking.
GMAC, on Saturday, 10. February 2007 at 03:35 PM
LOVED THE PAPERLESS LOGS AT WERNER.
NO PAPER LOG BOOK, NO INK PEN, NO RULER AND NO CALCULATOR.
HIT A BUTTON ON THE QUALCOMM UNIT WALK INTO THE TRUCK STOP FILL UP THE THERMOS AND HIT ANOTHER BUTTON AND OFF YOU GO.
bdf, on Saturday, 17. February 2007 at 09:19 PM
i love the paperless log system just wish more trucking companys had it besides werner
WHO, on Wednesday, 21. March 2007 at 10:11 PM
Love paperless log system at
werner it save a lot of time
i also wish more companys had
it the paper less log is the
best thing about werner
Joe, on Friday, 09. November 2007 at 10:05 AM
Don't they shut your truck off wheverer your at if you go over? I am a recruiter at a competitior and the number one reason people say they left Werner was paperless logs. I have heard of them shutting the truck down in traffic and making the drivers get a tow at their own expense rather than turning the engine back on.
xyz, on Friday, 09. November 2007 at 10:31 AM
Joe,
You're an idiot!
Ben, on Friday, 09. November 2007 at 05:11 PM
xyz what are you talking about. If you are going to call someone an idiot you should at least have the courage not to hide behind xyz and use a proper nickname like the rest of us.
frank, on Friday, 30. November 2007 at 04:31 PM
Does anyone know if Panther II is using paperless logs..
john r linnell, on Wednesday, 19. March 2008 at 11:22 PM
yes panther is paperless and u.s xpress is some and will be all
jive, on Sunday, 13. July 2008 at 12:34 AM
Ive had paperless logs for a long time. I use wood logs in my fireplace, does anyone else?
