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17th March 2005, Page 67
17th March 2005
Page 67
Page 67, 17th March 2005 — DID YOU KNOW?
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Tachograph analysis

Exentra reckons 158 million tachograph records are created within the UK transport industry every year, but only a proportion (estimates vary from 10 to 30%) are analysed. Ensuring compliance wIth the VVTD it is not quite as straightforward as collecting charts and sending them off for analysis; you'll need to add extra data such as other work done, holidays and sick days.

Remember that using chart analysis as a tool to ensure working time rules are complied with only works if you analyse all the charts for every driver in the fleet all the time. Drivers will have to be trained to use the tachograph in all four modes, not just the two or three they are used to using, says Andrew Thornley of Siemens VDO. If you are relying on the tachograph chart or smart card to prove compliance with the WiD it must have complete information on it."

"Operators are going to have to get used to recording more data for each driver and learn the new rules," says Angela Earddey from Tachodisc. 'Drivers' hours reports are typically three weeks old, so managers will have to be especially careful they are not breaking the law as the end of each reference period approaches." Tachodisc has published a new record book, wall planner and laminated drivers' guides to help you comply The WTD could transform the humble tachograph chart into a transport planning tool, thanks to Internet access. Companies such as Siemens VDO and Exentra are already geared up to produce WTD compliance based on chart analysis.

Exentra's Smartanalysis software is used by tachograph analysis bureaux such as Tachodisc and is also available to any operator with an Internet connection on a pay-per-use bads. "Operators can turn a legal requirement into a management tool," says MD Steve Fisher. Data from individual tachograph

charts is scanned into a PC, S ernens VDO system is ready tor the WTI) and then uploaded on to the

Smartanalysis, either by the fleet operator or by one of The tachograph bureaux. The software can analyse paper-based charts and is configured to receive data from smart cards when digital tachographs are introduced. Fisher thinks this will help operators in the transitional period from analogue to digital tachographs: "Smartanalysis records all the data for each driver in the reference perbd, so drivers can switch between analogue and digital tachographs."

Siemens VDUs my-f is tachograph analysis system accommodates WM rules. Thornley expects compliance to get easier for operators as digital tachographs enter service: "'It currently takes about 30 to i15 minutes to analyse the data for a single driver for a month with analogue charts. With smart cards, that time will be cut to about five minutes, Old data does not matter so much at the beginning of a reference period, but can make a great deal of difference towards the end when drivers may be getting short of available hours."

Rollforward's software is used by several bureaux, including Novadata. "Driver compliance will be the big issue in meeting the WTD rules," says director James Boyle. 'Analysis of charts show some drivers frequently forget to switch from driving time to non-driving time. It will get worse when they have to remember the different modes," Trutac says its Trucontrol internet-based analysis service can cut labour costs by 10% and the risk of driver infringements by 30%. Tachograph data is sent electronically to Trutac, which returns the report within 24 hours.


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