In The News
FMCSA still seeking truck drivers to participate in 34-hour restart study
WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is still seeking truck drivers who typically use a 34-hour restart period to participate in its study of the "operational, safety, health, and fatigue impacts of the federal Hours of Service restart provisions," the agency said today.
The congressionally mandated study is required to have participating drivers from different fleet sizes, types of operations, and in various sectors of the industry.
"The study is designed to include a sample of drivers comprising fleets of all sizes (i.e., small, medium, and large) and operations (including long-haul, regional, and short-haul) in various sectors of the industry (including flat-bed, refrigerated, tank, and dry-van), to the extent practicable," the agency stated.
Drivers will be paid for their participation in the five-month study.
All personally identifiable information from the research will remain with the independent study team and will not be shared with the government.
Congress mandated the field study when lawmakers suspended the 34-hour restart provision put in place July 1, 2013.
That provision, which allowed use of the restart provision only once every 168 hours and required the restart to include two consecutive 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. time periods, was roundly criticized by the trucking industry, which after seeking relief from the FMCSA and not getting it, turned to Congress for help.
The suspension was part of an omnibus funding bill passed late last year. The suspension is set to end Sept. 30, the end of the federal fiscal year.
The less restrictive rule, which allows unlimited use of the restart and doesn't require the two overnight periods, was reinstituted when the suspension was passed.
The VTTI study is dividing participants into two groups, one following the more restrictive provision, the other following the provision now in place.
The research study is being conducted on-the-job for five months.
Drivers will be compensated by up to more than $2,000 for their participation.
Any driver interested in participating in this study or who would like to learn more, should visit www.restartstudy.com.
Drivers who have already volunteered to participate in the study are receiving updates from the study team by phone or by e-mail regarding their status as potential participants.
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