Despite their insistence to both industry groups and their critics in congress that their HOS sleep rules are above reproach, the FMCSA has announced that it is commissioning a new sleep study to find out whether or not the rigid sleep schedule they’re currently imposing on drivers is actually the best.
FMCSA Research Chief Martin Walker announced on October 26th that the agency would launch a real-world test of the impacts of a more flexible sleep schedule. The FMCSA is looking to determine whether or not a split sleep schedule should be allowed for those drivers who prefer it.
The agency will look for 200 drivers who would “allow us to look at the different ways they split their sleep, and determine what may be the best way.” In the study, a driver would be allowed to sleep in the middle of the day without cutting in to their 14-hour workday.
Some pretty in-depth driver surveillance would be used in the study to compare driver fatigue levels such as measuring the percentage of eye closure, heart rate, respiration rate, physical activity and doing three-minute psychomotor vigilance tests regularly, the results of which would be uploaded via a smartphone app.
But even if you’re willing to put up with the driver surveillance in order to have a more flexible sleep schedule, don’t expect to be able to sign up for the study any time soon. According to Walker, “it will take at least a year through the administrative process to get the study started… don’t expect this study to start to collect data until January of 2016.”
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Cliff Downing says
70 years or more of split sleeper being used by drivers and the FMCSA needs to waste money on a study to see if it can be done. Just like government to waste more money on a study, and another one after that to confirm the previous study. With the inherent delays and wasted time. But then, the government known to waste money on studies to find the most efficient ways to drink water also, even though people have been drinking water since the beginning. Clearly, the inmates have taken over the asylum.
Don says
The only thing the FMCSA does effectively is waste money.
keith says
Another waste of time and money. Keep splitting hairs and they complain about being bald.
These people scare me.
Michael says
How about I be able to drive when I want and sleep when I want? Too complicated? Idiots.
Don says
Michael, that just makes too much sense. How will the DOT be able to make any money if they cant’ kick around truck drivers?
Brian White says
I have an idea.
Let’s make up some rules, publish all kinds of articles in the various industry magazines touting the accuracy and thoroughness of studies that support our conclusions on any subject whatsoever, make statements of there being “end user input”, all the while claiming we’re doing it in the name of safety.
What the FMCSA is really doing is chipping away at YOUR liberty, a little bit at a time.
Leftist bureaucrats make me nauseous.
rob says
I remember the right wing government loonies started imposing all this nonsense. My point is it really doesn’t matter which party is in power, they both stink it up.
Don says
They make anyone with a pulse and the ability to fog a mirror livid.
MrNA says
ver would be allowed to sleep in the middle of the day without cutting in to their 14-hour workday……Really. This study is already flawed from the get go. Sounds like split sleep is “scheduled”. How about drivers who run at night ?? Whats with all the rems and scientific theoried restful sleep behaviors to measure your nap results. Everyone in this world knows a nice siesta works. I applaud the FMCSA effort but hope they dont try to control the study.
Harold Melton says
I have been driving big rigs for over 48 years. That fact along with other men and women who have equal or close to this amount of experience be the talking point on this issue. Forget about another study, save our tax dollars. Many years ago we could drive for 5 hours then take 5 hours in the sleeper if we wanted. Now days we can split our sleeper time between 2 hours in the sleeper, finish the 11 hours of driving then 8 hours in the sleeper then get up and drive. The 5 0n and 5 off worked better for me because I could stop outside a city to avoid heavy traffic, get up and go in about 1 hour before my appointment and not have to fight for a parking space. Please leave the bean counters out of this and let the real people who drive for a living tell you what is best. I am so worn out after a trip with the e-logs, because now you have a machine telling you when to stop, that I have decided to give it up. Twice I have had to stop in the middle of no were and try to sleep during the day running the truck just to get up, exhausted to drive all night. Better let one of the bean counters take a trip on a truck as a second seat and watch what happens, and sleep when the driver sleeps. I think they would have there answer in about 1 week.
Don says
Those idiots who make the rules have never had to drive. They get all their info from focus groups.
Igor says
They are putting 200 drivers to risk to experiment something like n them. That’s not safe, FMCSA!
ozzy says
10 on an 8 off was ok……..now they force you to drive when you want to sleep……. why should we have to work 13 hrs a day to make a living………..