Field Study on the Efficacy of the New Restart Provision for Hours of Service December 2011 Final Rule

Goal

To evaluate the effectiveness of the new 34-hour restart provision on driver fatigue.

Background

Congress directed, in Section 32301 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP–21), to complete a field study on the efficacy of the restart rule published on December 27, 2011. The field study shall expand upon the results of the laboratory-based study entitled, "Investigation into Motor Carrier Practices to Achieve Optimal CMV Driver Performance: Phase I and II." Congress stated that ". . . in conducting the field study, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) should ensure. . ." the following:

• Field study is consistent with the laboratory-based study methodology.
• Data is representative of drivers affected by the maximum driving time requirements.
• Analysis is statistically valid.
• Field study follows the plan for ‘‘Scheduling & Fatigue Recovery Project."

MAP-21 requires the Agency to provide to Congress no later than September 30, 2013, a report detailing the results of this field study

Summary

This study was a field operational test of the 34-hour restart provision requiring 2 nights of sleep between work weeks. The study team designed a field evaluation that had a protocol that similar to the above-mentioned lab study for Phase I that was conducted at Washington State University. This field evaluation was with three volunteer carrier(s) and with commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers who were using the 34-hour restart period. The study agent recruited CMV drivers who routinely drove and worked approximately 70 hours per week. The minimum 34-hour restart, 2-night provision only really pertained to CMV drivers who drove predominately during the nighttime hours.

Outcomes

A report that identifies the efficacy of the new 34-hour restart provision at providing adequate rest for CMV drivers.

Milestones

Funding

Status 

Final report was published and can be accessed at https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/159

Contractor

Virginia Technical Transportation Institute