FMCSA asks for more volunteers for trucker hours-of-service study

Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is renewing its call for truck drivers to volunteer for an hours-of-service restart study.

FMCSA said drivers can earn up to $2,166 for taking part in the five-month study. Drivers who participate will be asked to:

• Drive a truck that features a camera facing inward and a camera facing outward to observe driving patterns (equipment will be provided)
• Wear an activity monitor on the wrist
• Finish a five-minute survey about health background
• Spend up to 30 minutes a day maintaining a sleep diary and caffeine log; taking smartphone-based assessments; and tracking HOS using an electronic logging device

The study was requested by Congress after lawmakers suspended a 34-hour restart rule in December. Researchers will analyze and compare results from drivers who take back-to-back nighttime rest periods during their break and drivers who do not. The study will measure safety performance levels, driver fatigue and other factors.

FMCSA said all information that is collected will be kept confidential and will not affect drivers’ medical or employment records.