Summer 2006

Digital tachographs have finally arrived. Here is m.logistics' quick guide to the technology and how to manage the data

The technical spec

Any new truck over 3.5 tonnes gross registered since the middle of May this year has come equipped with a digital tachograph instead of an analogue unit. It is a legal requirement for operators to monitor and keep records of drivers' activities to show compliance with EU drivers' hours rules.

Digital tachographs comprise a speedometer/odometer unit (encrypted to prevent interference) and an in-cab vehicle unit which fits into a DIN-sized slot in the dashboard (a standard radio-sized aperture). The unit has a small LCD display and printer built in.

 

Driving time, rest and break periods, vehicle speed and distance travelled are recorded electronically, and the data is stored both on the in-cab vehicle unit and on driver smartcards. Faults and any attempts to tamper with the unit are also recorded.

A driver-specific smartcard is inserted into a slot in the tachograph at the start of each journey (there is also a second slot for a co-driver). Driver activities are then recorded throughout the journey. The clock is set to GMT which, as Siemens VDO points out, is something you need to remember during British summer time, as stored records will be one hour behind the official time.

The tachograph memory can store a year's worth of data. The driver smartcards stores 28 days of activity. Once the memory limit has been reached, the data already recorded is overwritten, so it is important to have in place a system for routinely downloading data.

Calibration is required every two years at an authorised calibration centre.

The cards

All cards are issued by the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency and are valid for five years. Company and driver cards cost £38 each, while renewals and replacements cost £19.

The company card is used to download data, which enables the operator to protect company-related data stored in the tachograph memory - in case the vehicle is sold, for example.

The driver card is the property of the driver and should remain with him. To obtain a driver card, drivers must have a photo card-style driving licence. Lost, stolen or malfunctioning cards should be reported in a formal declaration to the DVLA within seven days, either by telephone or with a special form.

The police have their own control cards allowing them to access the data on the road, and tachograph calibration centres have a card allowing them to activate the calibration function.

In addition to using the company smartcard, operators can opt to download data using IDE (intelligent dedicated equipment). For official records, data download has to be done without any risk of interference with the data.

Managing the data

The good news is that now the drivers' hours data is in digital format it is easier to analyse. Companies such as Road Tech Computer Systems have developed online analysis tools. Roadtech's Tachomaster systems offers free software for card analysis and the ability to store and review records online for as little as £1 per driver per week.

The bad news is that while the new digital tachographs and existing analogue models are both in use, some people may find themselves driving a mix of vehicles in which both types are fitted. Operators have to ensure records are complete, however the data is recorded. So while there is no legal obligation to convert existing vehicles, some fleets may end up doing so simply to avoid confusion.

Legally, operators must store and maintain complete records of a driver's activity and have them available for inspection for 12 months.

The manufacturers

There are just three tachographs models currently available in the UK that meet the specification: Actia Smartach, Siemens VDO DTCO 1381 and Stoneridge SE5000.