WASHINGTON – In response to concerns from trucking carriers and industry suppliers, regulators in the U.S. have made some technical changes to the new electronic onboard recorder rule.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration dropped its requirement that mandated EOBRs be able to operate in extreme temperatures ranging from -40 F degrees to 185 degrees.

The agency evidently agreed with EOBR suppliers and the American Trucking Associations that the range was excessive as most devices can withstand temperatures of between -22 and 158 degrees.

As well, the FMCSA will no longer require devices to come with a specific type of USB connector (type B) as well as certain wireless connectivity. It also said it would clarify its fault code requirements for EOBR reporting .

The rule, which goes into effect in 2012, will require truckers with a 10-percent or greater HOS violation rate during a single compliance review to install EOBRs on all their vehicles for at least a two-year period.

However, the mandate will likely be broadened to encompass more carriers. An announcement on that front is expected later this year.