Overdrive reader owner-operators, small fleets and drivers recently named the required 30-minute break after 8 on-duty hours, instituted in 2013, among the top problems with the current hours of service regulations. The ALK Technologies company today introduced a tool to better assist planning around the break for small fleets with its latest version of its PC*Miler routing, mileage and mapping software. Allowing for greater comprehensive planning in the back office, among news tools in the package are the “HOS Manager,” factoring in hours-of-service regulated breaks directly into the route.
Such factoring allows the trip planning function to offer a better window into actual travel times and distance traveled, the company says. When planning a route, dispatchers can easily identify if a driver will be in violation as well as identify an appropriate stop to break if needed. They can even view a list of amenities located at a stop to help assist in choosing the best break location.