I know this topic has been ‘done to death’ but I thought you may all like to start a sensible discussion based around this little snippet of information
Having just attended an RHA compliance event I spent quite a while talking to suppliers of telematics systems and it was interesting to see just how far these have advanced from just simple trackers. Maybe as drivers our future is sitting in an office ‘driving’ the truck from there (military drone type of operation)?
It was also interesting to talk to companies such as Microlise who are currently working with DVSA with regards to opening up access to vehicle details such as tacho, mechanical faults, driving style etc via a DVSA ‘portal’ so that DVSA can monitor companies remotely - and even more interesting to hear the representative from DVSA - their “Head of enforcement transformation” talking about the new ‘Earned Recognition Scheme’ being trialled very soon where Operators will volunteer to share data with DVSA via some kind of ‘portal’ http://www.commercialmotor.com/latest-news/dvsa-plans-earned-recognition-scheme
And you may be interested to know that the 18 month trial of the DVSA ‘Remote Enforcement Office’ system has been a success and the scheme is now being rolled out across the UK. This means rather than DVSA officers attend a site to check on matters they simply write to an operator and ‘request’ the information they require, from maintenance records to tacho data to bank statements. These are then checked by ‘back office’ staff saving the roadside enforcement teams for actual enforcement activities.
DVSA also spoke about more targeted enforcement of those operators whose OCRS scores are slipping meaning they can intervene early and ‘nudge’ the operator to make improvements.
I thought it was a good event, it’s easy to get into a rut and not take advantage of newer methods.
I found it a little paradoxical that Richard Turfitt spoke about the benefit of local knowledge when considering applications for new ‘O’ Licenses, yet the DVSA are removing a layer of local knowledge by heading down the further automation route. I remember ('ee when I were a bairn ), the local VI guy coming by. We got to know each other, I could ring and ask a question, he knew we ran straight and on the rare occasion something was awry, there was a solid reason behind it. I miss that interaction, it’s difficult to build a relationship over the internet in that environment.
albion:
I thought it was a good event, it’s easy to get into a rut and not take advantage of newer methods.
I found it a little paradoxical that Richard Turfitt spoke about the benefit of local knowledge when considering applications for new ‘O’ Licenses, yet the DVSA are removing a layer of local knowledge by heading down the further automation route. I remember ('ee when I were a bairn ), the local VI guy coming by. We got to know each other, I could ring and ask a question, he knew we ran straight and on the rare occasion something was awry, there was a solid reason behind it. I miss that interaction, it’s difficult to build a relationship over the internet in that environment.
I’m sounding really old there. Oh, I am.
I know exactly what you mean. My Dad was with the VI for years and ‘knew’ the Operators on his patch.
I’m surprised that we don’t already have card and vehicle unit downloads already automatically submitted to dvsa, with fines taken by direct debit - seems the easiest thing in the world for them to organise.
Very interesting article. We all know driverless trucks are coming although I feel some want to ignore the idea hoping it will go away.
The fact that it will cut down the accident rate has got to be the biggest bonus along with the fuel saving costs.
Also good that the lorry driver will not become completely redundant although I feel the ones doing the job will not feel anything like a lorry driver and we will see a different type of person applying for the vacancies. It will surely change the requirements and skills of the job as a driver in a big way.
Is there any truth in the remote access tacho head rumour. I have heard that it wont be long before there is no need to down load your digi card as the tacho head will be read as the lorry comes through the gate. Also that all DVSA will have to do is park on the side of the road and they can ‘read’ every drivers records as they pass by!
Gangan:
Is there any truth in the remote access tacho head rumour. I have heard that it wont be long before there is no need to down load your digi card as the tacho head will be read as the lorry comes through the gate. Also that all DVSA will have to do is park on the side of the road and they can ‘read’ every drivers records as they pass by!
Ours are downloaded remotely daily, no matter where in the country we are. Every morning after 30 minutes or so of starting the engine I see the symbol turning on the display showing that it’s being remotely downloaded.
Most of the current digital tachographs allow the operator to download remotely - they usually need to have the company card held in a card reader attached to the PC/Laptop to authorise this. Although I have heard some systems now don’t require the company card. Some download via readers at the depot gates, some download via onboard telematics systems and over a data connection.
You can also get Bluetooth dongles to plug into the download port and give access to data that way.
As for DVSA doing this … not yet but as far as I am aware it will be legally possible from 2017. The next generation of digi tachos that become a legal requirement from 2017 will have built in GPS to record the location when logging in/out etc and also allow enforcement agencies a limited capability to access limited data. I don’t know what technology it uses but it isn’t bluetooth or Wi-Fi as far as I know.
