The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Werner Enterprises began the pilot program of the Paperless Log System in June of 1998. The Paperless Log System stemmed from C.L. Werner, Founder and CEO's, dedication to safety. His motives involved more than just satisfying the Department of Transportation, his main concern reached to the safety of the professional drivers and the motoring public.
After six years of testing, Werner Enterprises became the only trucking company in the United States to be granted an exemption from the U.S. Department of Transportation's FMCSA agency to utilize its Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to record drivers' hours-of-service. The two-year exemption was a milestone for Werner Enterprises and the trucking industry.
Based on Werner's performance, the FMCSA stated its belief the exemption achieves a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, using paper logs provides.
FMCSA Administrator, Annette M. Sandberg, formally signed the exemption on December 2, 2004, recognizing Werner's outstanding creativity in the use of GPS to accurately track and report the work activities of truck drivers, Administrator Sandberg stated, "This supports Federal HOS regulations that help to ensure truck drivers get ample rest and, consequently, are more alert behind the wheel. Innovation and technology are critical to achieving our goal of improving safety on the nation's highways."
Timeline:
- 1992 - Werner installs QualcommTM satellite communications in its trucks.
- 1994 - C. L. Werner directs the Werner management team to develop technology to improve safety and eliminate the hassle drivers experience with paper logbooks. Werner commits to investigating and initiating paperless logs as a feature of its established satellite technology.
- 1995 - Werner drivers begin testing the Paperless Log System while continuing use of the traditional paper logbooks.
- 1996 - Werner contacts and updates the Federal Highway Administration on the Paperless Log System. The FHWA is enthusiastic about the system and approves Werner's continued testing of the technology, while continuing use of the traditional paper logbooks. Improvements in the system continue to be made during the year.
- 1997 - Werner makes final commitments to paperless logs and runs tests with approximately 2,000 drivers (while continuing use of the traditional paper logbooks).
- April 1998 - Werner's Paperless Log System entered into the Federal Register.
- June 10, 1998 - The Federal Highway Administration officially authorizes Werner's adoption of the Paperless Log System, and discontinuance of the paper logbooks.
- September 21, 2004 - The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) granted exemption from paper log usage.
- December 2, 2004 - Werner was formally granted an exemption from the FMCSA agency to utilize its GPS technology to record drivers' hours-of-service.