Electronic logging devices (ELDs) have long been used to track truck drivers’ hours of service, but the information they collect is taking on another role: helping freight brokers verify the identities of motor carriers and detect potential fraud.
As the trucking industry continues to battle cargo theft, fraudulent carrier identities and other schemes, technology companies are looking for ways to make the information used to verify carriers more reliable.
One example is a certification program developed by Highway, a provider of carrier identity verification technology. The company announced in October that Samsara has become the first ELD provider to join its Highway Certified Network.
The certification establishes standards for the accuracy, reliability and availability of vehicle and location data that brokers can use when deciding whether to work with a carrier.
Using ELD data to verify carriers
ELDs are primarily associated with recording drivers’ hours of service (HOS), but many systems also collect vehicle identification information, location data and other details about truck operations.
According to Highway, that information can help brokers confirm that a motor carrier has the equipment and operating history needed to transport a shipment.
For example, vehicle identification numbers (VINs) can be compared with insurance records and other carrier credentials. Discrepancies could raise questions about whether a truck is properly associated with the carrier offering to haul a load.
Current and historical location information can also help brokers verify carrier operations and monitor shipments.
“ELD data has become an important part of how brokers determine whether a carrier has the capability needed to haul a load,” said Marshall Smith, head of the Certified Network at Highway. “The trust in that signal hinges on the quality and provenance of the underlying data.”
Making sure the information is reliable
While ELD and telematics data can provide additional information about a carrier, the usefulness of that information depends on its accuracy.
Highway’s certification program is designed to establish standards for the companies supplying that data.
Certified ELD providers must agree to requirements concerning the source, accuracy, timeliness and availability of vehicle and location information. Those requirements include ensuring that the data comes from legitimate ELD devices and accurately represents the vehicles associated with those devices. Participating providers must also maintain reliable connections with Highway’s platform and meet established operational standards.
In addition, certified providers must keep applicable ELD devices in good standing with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and notify Highway of significant regulatory or technical developments that could affect the reliability of their data.
The Highway certification is a private industry designation. It is separate from FMCSA’s ELD registration requirements and does not constitute federal approval of a provider’s fraud-prevention capabilities.
What does this mean for motor carriers?
For brokers, access to reliable ELD data could provide another way to evaluate carriers before assigning loads. For legitimate motor carriers, the technology could help confirm that their trucks, credentials and operations match the information they provide when seeking freight.
However, the expanded use of ELD information also raises questions about how carrier data is shared and whether individual brokers might place greater emphasis on certain technology providers when selecting carriers.
Highway has not announced that carriers must use a certified ELD provider to obtain freight through its platform.
The certification also should not be viewed as a guarantee against fraud. Accurate vehicle and location data can support identity verification, but it cannot, by itself, establish that every load transaction is legitimate.
For owner-operators and smaller carriers, understanding how ELD information is used during broker verification could become increasingly important as the technology develops.
Expanding the certification network to telematics
Highway launched its Certified Network earlier this year with insurance agencies, establishing standards for another source of information brokers use when evaluating carriers. The addition of Samsara extends the program to ELD and telematics providers.
Samsara provides fleet management technology that combines vehicle monitoring, operational data and other services. As the first certified ELD provider, the company has agreed to Highway’s standards for sharing vehicle and location information.
“Motor carriers benefit when the systems they depend on can exchange reliable data with clear standards and accountability,” said Ryan Yu, vice president of telematics AI at Samsara.
Highway expects additional ELD providers to join the network and plans to expand its certification efforts to other service providers involved in freight brokerage.
The development reflects an expanding role for vehicle technology in trucking, as information originally collected for driver compliance and fleet operations becomes another tool for evaluating carrier identity and reducing the risk of fraud.
Linda Garner-Bunch has been with The Trucker since 2020, picking up the reins as managing editor in 2022. Linda has nearly 40 years of experience in the publishing industry, covering topics from the trucking and automotive industry to employment, real estate, home decor, crafts, cooking, weddings, high school sports — you name it, she’s written about it. She is also an experienced photographer, designer and copy editor who has a heartfelt love for the trucking industry, from the driver’s seat to the C-suite.
