ELD Data Needs An Enforceable Standard

The implementation of ELD (Electronic Logging Device) data is crucial for the movement of freight in the industry. ELDs provide brokers with valuable information about the status of carriers, vehicles, and loads. Carriers utilize this data to showcase their capacities and secure freight opportunities. The reliability and integrity of the ELD providers are of paramount importance.

Highway, a company with extensive experience integrating with hundreds of ELD providers, emphasizes that their integration is not an automatic endorsement of the provider's actions. It is governed by their own standards and can be discontinued if those standards are not met. Highway maintains stringent requirements for these integrations and closely monitors providers that reappear under a new name after a prior provider was revoked.

This approach ensures that every carrier using a problematic ELD provider is held accountable for their actions.

Highway's approach to ELD data extends beyond the mere integration. They have introduced the Highway Certified Partner Network program, which requires participating providers to commit to the integrity and reliable delivery of the data they contribute. This voluntary certification program aims to establish a higher standard and provide brokers and carriers with a clear view of which providers have made these commitments. However, it does not replace the baseline enforcement of Highway's existing requirements.

The company also highlights that ELD data should not be solely relied upon to make cargo decisions. Instead, it should be considered as one input in the broader assessment of carrier identity and cargo risk. Highway has not observed any cargo thefts where manipulated ELD data played a role in carrier hiring or tendering decisions, emphasizing that the manipulation of ELD data is not harmless and warrants consequences.

Highway's commitment to the freight market is evident through its Performance Guarantee of up to $100,000. This guarantee is tied to a comprehensive, enforceable assessment of the carrier and the load, rather than a single signal from a single ELD provider. By putting their balance sheet behind qualifying loads, Highway demonstrates their confidence in the system and the partners involved.

The responsibility for maintaining standards in the ELD ecosystem lies with all stakeholders. Highway invites brokers and carriers to set the bar for the freight they move, ensuring that legitimate carriers have a fair path when their providers fail to meet the required standards. The company is committed to enforcing the standard and standing behind qualifying loads that meet those standards.

As the industry navigates the challenges and questions that arise, Highway remains steadfast in their role as stewards for brokers and carriers who trust them with critical freight and livelihood decisions.