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7/26/2016

J. J. Keller: Time tracking for hyrail operators

J. J. Keller and Associates Inc. has added hyrail functionality to the its Encompass® System, providing a way to record on-duty hyrail time without counting against a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) driver's allotted 11 hours of on-duty driving time, the company announced earlier this month.

Drivers now are able to accurately track time spent driving on roadways separate from time spent operating on a rail, which is recognized in regulations as "on duty, not driving," J. J. Keller officials said in a press release.

Hyrail vehicles — designed to operate both on rails and road surfaces — are able to reach areas not accessible by road where maintenance or repair activities are required. Until now, there was no way for an electronic logging device (ELD) to distinguish when a hyrail truck's wheels were in motion due to roadway driving or on-the-track operation.

"Hours logged using the hyrail functionality can be cross-referenced with GPS records to prove the vehicle was actually being used while on a rail, and not a public roadway," said Amy Daley, senior manager of transport products for J. J. Keller. "It also distinguishes between on-duty hyrail time, and on-duty time spent doing something else, such as working in the shop or at a worksite. This is a significant enhancement for railroad companies striving to maintain accurate Hours of Service records.



The ability to manage hyrail hours is a growing concern among railroad companies, J. J. Keller officials said, adding that the new hyrail functionality offered by the company allows a means of hours-of-service tracking well suited for this segment of the transportation industry. As a result, one of the nation's leading railroad freight hauling companies has made plans to manage their hours of service and driver vehicle inspection reporting through the J. J. Keller® Encompass® System, committing to the implementation of thousands of ELDs by December 2017.



"Hours of Service regulations continue to present complexities pertaining to specific areas of the transport industry, including challenges unique to the rail industry," said Tom Bray, senior transportation editor for J. J. Keller. "We're committed to using our knowledge of regulatory compliance to continue making robust enhancements to the Encompass® solution, ensuring we meet the needs of the marketplace and provide value to all customers and segments."