The findings show that the metrics with the greatest impact are not always the most widely used.
Key takeaways
- ATRI research examines which telematics metrics matter most to motor carriers.
- Fleets may benefit from reassessing how they use telematics performance data.
- Telematics data can give fleets another way to evaluate safety, maintenance, and operations.
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ATRI research identifies high-value telematics KPIs for motor carriers
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) recently released new research identifying the telematics measures and functionalities most important to motor carriers for improving safety, operations, and maintenance.
The report, From Telematics Data to Decisions: High-Value Performance Metrics for Trucking Operations, found that cost per mile received the highest importance score in the operations category, but only 73% of respondents reported using it. The KPI gap analysis provides fleets and telematics providers with a framework for focusing on the KPIs that matter most.
For safety-related KPIs, the four most widely adopted metrics were critical events, speeding, risky driving behavior, and hard braking.
“This research identifies the performance metrics that fleets find most valuable and highlights those that, for some carriers, deserve more consideration,” said Robert Braswell, executive director of the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC). “The report gives carriers a practical guide for evaluating what they currently measure versus what they ought to measure to improve safety, maintenance, and operations.”
What this means for the trucking industry
The findings give fleets a way to compare the telematics metrics they currently use with those considered most valuable. That comparison can help fleet executives identify where existing telematics data may better support safety, maintenance, and operational decisions.
Noel Fletcher
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration must revamp operational safety regulations and resolve questions about automated surface transportation of hazardous materials to support wider use of autonomous trucks, according to new government guidance.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy released a national strategy report for autonomous vehicles meant “to empower our innovators to build faster, smarter and safer than ever before.”
The document identifies the Transportation Department’s current and future critical activities in a 12-page report called “America Leads: DOT’s National Strategy for Automated Vehicles.” The timeline for DOT actions spans fiscal years 2026-2030.
The report outlined DOT actions to eliminate red tape, update key regulations and ensure safety while promoting greater use of AVs.
“The Trump administration is committed to safely unleashing American innovation on our roads,” Duffy said. “We’re doing so because of the exciting promise new technologies like AVs have in reducing roadway fatalities, enhancing mobility and fundamentally reshaping how people move for the better.”
To facilitate the adoption of autonomous commercial motor vehicles, FMCSA is amending Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations “to ensure the safe introduction and oversight of CMVs equipped with automated driving system on roadways.”
The report underscored that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will continue evaluating AV road use for potential safety defects, including through crash reporting and recalls. The agency also will seek to resolve problems with manufacturers, developers and operators.
“This strategy will provide for strict safety oversight, while unlocking the potential for AV technologies to be safely deployed on America’s roads,” said NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison.
FMCSA activities
The report reinforced that DOT regulations, including those from NHTSA and FMCSA, currently allow the use and development of AVs, which still must adhere to federal rules unless granted exemptions.
Yet both agencies must adjust regulations crafted when lawmakers presumed only human drivers would operate vehicles.
“In addition to traditional oversight tools such as standards development and rulemaking, DOT will use its convening authority to engage stakeholders to solicit input and encourage consistent approaches and best practices for the safe deployment of these vehicles,” the document predicted.
FMCSA mainly faces indirect barriers because it must modify existing operational safety requirements to include automated CMVs.
The report said other areas under FMCSA’s authority “require modernization to ensure effective oversight and the safe operation of all CMVs” because the agency’s responsibilities include motor carrier operations and vehicle maintenance inspections.
“Many of these standards remain relevant to the safety of AVs, such as seat belt requirements for passengers. However, applying certain regulations to AVs creates unintended and unnecessary regulatory barriers that do not serve a safety purpose because they were created with the assumption of a human driver in the vehicle,” the report stated.
FMCSA has been tasked with developing an Emergency Response Framework for ADS-equipped CMVs. Research is needed to determine how emergency responders can safely and effectively interact with ADS-equipped CMVs. The goal is to create a standardized framework of emergency response protocols for autonomous CMVs.
Hazardous materials
Introducing greater transportation automation raises issues for DOT involving the surface transportation system and movement of hazardous materials.
Consequently, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has published a proposed rulemaking asking for stakeholder comments about possible changes to the Hazardous Materials Regulations to facilitate the safe transportation of hazardous materials using highly automated transportation systems.
Digital modernization of interstates
DOT highlighted the need to bring transportation stakeholders together to create interoperable national corridors across states.
“DOT is exploring a seamlessly integrated transportation network where real-time data connectivity transforms how people and goods move across the country and how services are provided,” the report noted. “By bridging the gap between physical infrastructure and digital intelligence along our interstate and other national highway system routes, we aim to create a safer, more efficient, privacy-protected and future-ready mobility environment for all road users.”
One initiative seeks to partner with stakeholders to enable real-time data sharing along interstate highway systems, including information about emergency road closures and temporary road realignments.
According to the report, road improvements, enhanced digital infrastructure and vehicle-to-everything communications are complementary technologies that may benefit AVs as well as transportation systems.
However, DOT noted:
- AVs “do not and will not” rely on available third-party information or smart infrastructure for safety-critical activities.
- Infrastructure and telecommunications changes aren’t required first steps to deploy AVs.
- Infrastructure owner-operators initially are not expected to invest in AV-specific physical or digital infrastructure prior to AV rollout.
New guidance for commercial vehicle inspectors distinguishes between more traditional logbook violations and tampered ELD data that can result in mandatory 10-hour out-of-service orders.
Deborah Lockridge
Commercial vehicle inspectors have new guidance on placing drivers out of service for falsified log violations.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance issued new inspection guidance aimed at cracking down on falsified records of duty status (RODS, more commonly known as driver logs) and electronic logging device tampering.
The bulletin, effective April 1, outlines how inspectors should handle altered logs of driver hours of service.
The move comes ahead of CVSA’s annual Roadcheck in May (where ELDs are a focus this year) and as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has been taking steps to crack down on fraudulent ELDs.
More traditional false log violations, such as misuse of personal conveyance or failure to log into the ELD, are typically easier for inspectors to detect.
If a driver is over hours at the time of inspection, CVSA explains, inspectors can usually determine how much rest was actually taken and whether the driver should be placed out of service.
ELD Tampering
More concerning, CVSA says inspectors are encountering RODS (records of duty status) that have been reengineered, reprogrammed or otherwise tampered with, and the bulk of the four-page guidance document is devoted to this topic.
These violations are harder for inspectors to identify and harder to determine whether drivers should be placed out of service.
CVSA gives an example of fraudulent use of driver credentials. A motor carrier created a fictitious ELD account using the same driver’s name but slightly altered credentials — such as changing a letter from uppercase to lowercase and modifying one digit in the CDL number.
The fraudulent use of driver credentials is an unauthorized alteration of the ELD and therefore considered tampering. This example shows a motor carrier creating a fictitious driver ELD account. Credit: CVSA
The driver alternated between the two accounts to continue driving after exceeding hours-of-service limits.
In another example cited by CVSA, a driver was shown as off duty in Tolleson, Arizona, at 9 p.m. on Aug. 10, 2024. However, a fuel receipt placed the driver in Strafford, Missouri, on Aug. 11 — more than 1,300 miles away.
Further review showed the RODS had been shifted back three days, concealing nearly 21 hours of driving time.
When Should Drivers Be Placed Out of Service for ELD Violations?
CVSA says the goal in enforcing ELD violations is to only place drivers OOS who pose an imminent hazard.
When it is possible for the inspector to determine when the falsification occurred, and the driver is not over hours at the time of inspection, CVSA tells inspectors to cite drivers under § 395.8(e)(1) and allow the driver to proceed.
If this is the case and a driver is over the HOS limits at the time of inspection, however, the driver should be placed out of service until he or she is eligible to drive again under hours-of-service rules.
For drivers whose RODS have been reengineered, reprogrammed or tampered with, and the ELD does not accurately record or retain required data, inspectors face a tougher job.
These altered logs may show no indication in the event details that any changes were made.
In such cases, inspectors must compare supporting documents, such as fuel receipts, to what’s in the ELD record. Because the actual time, duration, and location of rest breaks cannot be determined, enforcement becomes more serious.
If it’s not possible for the inspector to determine when driving occurred, CVSA says, the inspector should cite a § 395.8(e)(2) violation and place the driver out of service for 10 consecutive hours.
Mark Schremmer
Efforts to curb fraud in the trucking industry have been taken into overdrive.
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Monday, Aug. 31, that it is working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice and a White House task force to target criminal networks and fraud to reduce highway fatalities and protect Americans.
“USDOT has spent the last year-and-a-half strengthening the rules of the road and removing dangerous foreign drivers from our trucking industry,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a news release. “To fully root out the scourge of fraud, hold criminals accountable and restore safety, we need the support of federal law enforcement.”
DOT actions
According to DOT, over the past year-and-a-half, it has removed 28,000 truck drivers for failing to meet English-proficiency standards. In addition, the agency has forced states to revoke more than 30,000 licenses that were said to be issued illegally to foreign drivers. More than 8,000 training schools were also removed from the registry for not meeting FMCSA standards.
Now, the DOT has announced three more actions to remove bad actors and keep unqualified drivers from entering the industry.
- Emergency removal of training providers
FMCSA said it will remove more than 110 Entry-Level Driver Training providers from the registry for certifying drivers who did not meet English-proficiency requirements. The DOT said the providers must immediately cease all operations.
- Targeted investigations
In July, FMCSA sent 175 investigators in 40 states to conduct nearly 400 investigations of ELDT providers. DOT said the investigations uncovered several serious cases of non-compliance, including inadequate space, unlicensed instructors, missing documentation and fraudulent classrooms. The investigations resulted in more than 160 notices of proposed removals from FMCSA’s registry.
- Nationwide audit
FMCSA is launching a nationwide audit of third-party CDL skills testers and states’ oversight of the testers.
DHS actions
DHS completed a synchronized single-day sweep targeting more than 200 training schools across 23 states.
“Thanks to the recklessness of sanctuary politicians, there is a growing and alarming trend of illegal aliens being granted commercial driver’s licenses,” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said. “Many of them don’t speak English or understand the rules of the road, and yet they’re driving among us, endangering our loved ones … Our partnership with the Department of Transportation will help root out CDL fraud so that illegal aliens are no longer able to obtain CDLs and put American lives at risk.”
Additionally, the Department of Justice formed the Joint Task Force Crossroads of America to “safeguard the nation’s highway system and strengthen the security of our borders.”
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association said it supports efforts to remove fraud from the trucking industry.
“Nobody cares more about highway safety than professional truck drivers, and it is basic common sense that anyone operating an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle on public roadways should be properly trained, able to read critical road signs, follow emergency instructions, and communicate with law enforcement and first responders in English,” OOIDA President Todd Spencer said. “OOIDA and professional truck drivers across America commend Secretary Duffy and Administrator Barrs for taking concrete actions to crack down on fraudulent training operations and restore rigorous English language proficiency enforcement. Congress must now do its part and pass Dalilah’s Law to ensure CDL mills remain closed and English language proficiency enforcement is permanently made the law of the land.”
Jeremy Wolfe
Key takeaways
- Federal agencies are removing over 110 driver training schools and proposing to shut down more than 160 others for violations related to English proficiency and inadequate training.
- A new task force, the Joint Task Force Crossroads of America, aims to coordinate enforcement efforts and prosecute illegal trucking practices across multiple jurisdictions.
- FMCSA is conducting nationwide audits of CDL skills testers to ensure tests are conducted in English.
C-SPAN
FMCSA A dministrator Derek Barrs with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and other federal officials.
Federal officials are escalating their campaign against trucking fraud—and are putting carriers on notice that hiring non-compliant drivers might lead to prosecution.
Officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Justice (DOJ) met to announce several new enforcement activities across the trucking industry:
- Removing more driver training schools
- Auditing CDL skills tests nationwide
- Launching a new task force to prosecute illegal trucking practices
While carriers have been mostly insulated from the consequences of hiring non-English-compliant drivers, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy spoke directly to those carriers:
“Watch out. We’re going to come and look at you as well,” Duffy said. “Don’t hire people who can’t speak English or can’t read English, or you’re all going to be subject to this task force.”
The new enforcement announcement further expands DOT’s aggressive campaign against fraud in the trucking industry.
Removing driver training schools
FMCSA continues cleaning up its Training Provider Registry: The latest announcement cuts over 110 providers from its list and proposes to cut 160 more. The agency identified those schools by tracing out-of-service violations and directly investigating training locations.
For those 110 providers, FMCSA is immediately removing these driver training schools from its Training Provider Registry.
Looking at the records of drivers cited for missing English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements, FMCSA tracked down providers in the Training Provider Registry that repeatedly certified drivers who did not meet the English standard.
“The 110 schools that are being shut down willfully disregarded these regulations. Every single one of these schools passed at least 10 drivers who were subsequently cited for English Language Proficiency during roadside inspections by law enforcement,” Barrs said.
Barrs named some of those schools as examples: Platinum Plus Truck Driving School in California certified 36 drivers who later faced ELP violations. One of those drivers caused a fatality in an Oklahoma crash. ASC Technical Institute in Texas certified 58 drivers who would fail ELP assessments. One of those drivers ran a stop sign and killed someone in Texas.
The agency is also issuing proposed removals to more than 160 other training locations.
In July, FMCSA conducted nearly 400 investigations into training providers. The agency found that several training providers did not have enough space to complete truck maneuvers, did not have licensed instructors, or did not have records of drivers’ assessments.
“In California, operators claimed their classroom was the back end of an open semi-trailer. Their primary instructor was out of the country. That should tell you something,” Barrs said.
At Angels Transportation, in New Jersey, Barrs said the training took place in a parking lot so small that the drivers couldn’t do basic maneuvers.
On August 31, FMCSA also worked with Homeland Security Investigations on a coordinated sweep of more than 200 driving schools across 23 states, though the results of that investigation are still pending.
The announcement extends an already thorough enforcement crackdown on English proficiency and driver training facilities. FMCSA has recorded nearly 30,000 driver out-of-service violations since enforcing the requirement in 2025. The agency has removed nearly 10,000 CDL training locations (watch out for the distinction: “locations” is different from “training providers”) since December 2025.
Auditing CDL skills tests nationwide
FMCSA is also launching a nationwide audit of state-authorized CDL skills testers in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations.
“Federal regulators require that CDL skills testers must conduct this [skills test] in English—however, that is not being done,” Barrs said.
If the audit finds that a state is not conducting the tests in English, FMCSA will give the state a formal notification of noncompliance. The state then has 30 days to create a mutually agreed-upon plan to correct the issues—or else lose access to a growing percentage of federal funds.
The task force: Real prosecution?
The new task force—the Joint Task Force Crossroads of America—is comprised of several federal, state, and local officials.
The stated purpose of the task force is to reduce criminal activity, deter illegal trucking practices, and promote consistent enforcement across jurisdictions.
“We at FMCSA are not a law enforcement agency,” Barrs said, “and we cannot prosecute these cases. That’s why we need the people that are standing behind me, and their teams, to be able to root out the bad.”
Federal agencies in the group include DOT, FMCSA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
On the state side, the task force includes attorney’s offices in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.
“We can’t prosecute these cases at DOT,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “To have U.S. attorneys with us that are willing to lean in and prosecute—it’s important.”
Trucking industry celebrates crackdown
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) and Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) both issued statements supporting the initiatives.
American Trucking Associations
“Removing noncompliant carriers, unqualified drivers, and fraudulent training operations strengthens public confidence in our industry while ensuring that the next generation of professional drivers enters the workforce properly trained and fully qualified.”—Henry Hanscom, ATA chief advocacy and public affairs officer
Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
“OOIDA and professional truck drivers across America commend Secretary Duffy and Administrator Barrs for taking concrete actions to crack down on fraudulent training operations and restore rigorous English language proficiency enforcement. Congress must now do its part and pass Dalilah’s Law to ensure CDL mills remain closed and English language proficiency enforcement is permanently made the law of the land.” — Todd Spencer, OOIDA president
Robert Byrne, Truc Accident Lawyer
Click on following link to see video. https://youtu.be/KFLeSVyKyRM
