Following driver requests for more flexibility in the Hours Of Service (HOS) rules, the FMCSA is conducting a study into allowing drivers to split time in the sleeper berth in more ways than the 8/2 split that is currently mandatory. With a pilot program put forward, the FMCSA is asking the public for comments on its proposal.
According to the notice filed in the Federal Register, after hearing that drivers wanted to “be able to sleep when they get tired,” the FMCSA examined a series of studies as well as conducting its own laboratory studies. It found that “The majority of sleep studies to date demonstrate that well-timed split sleep has either a positive or no effect on subsequent neurobehavioral performance.”
So now they’re going to take their test out into the real world with real drivers. The goal is to “produce statistically reliable evidence on the question as to whether split sleeper berth time affects driver safety performance and fatigue levels.”
Approximately 240 drivers will participate in the pilot program. It is estimated that 40 drivers will participate for 14 days, 75 drivers will participate for 30 days, 75 drivers will participate for 60 days, and 50 drivers will participate for the maximum 90 days. The drivers will be allowed to split their sleeper berth time, but only within parameters specified by the FMCSA – either 7/3, 6/4, or 5/5 splits.
At a minimum, FMCSA will gather the following data during the study:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) data, to evaluate duty hours and timing, driving hours and timing, rest breaks, off-duty time, and restart breaks.
- Onboard monitoring system (OBMS) data, to evaluate driving behaviors, safety-critical events (or SCEs, which include crashes, nearcrashes, and other safety-related events), reaction time, fatigue, lane deviations, and traffic density, road curvature, and speed variability.
- Roadside violation data (from carriers and drivers), including vehicle, duty status, hazardous materials, and cargo-related violations (contingent upon inspections).
- Wrist actigraphy data,2 to evaluate total sleep time, time of day sleep was taken, sleep latency, and intermittent wakefulness.
- Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) 3 data, to evaluate drivers’ behavioral alertness based on reaction times.
- Subjective sleepiness ratings, using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS),4 to measure drivers’ perceptions of their fatigue levels.
- Sleep logs, in which drivers will document when they are going to sleep, when they wake up, and whether they are using the sleeper berth. For splitsleep days, drivers will record how and why they chose to split their sleep.
You can leave a public comment on the proposal here.
Source: fmcsa, gobytrucknews, truckinginfo
id like the FMCSA move to a 70/7 instead of a 70/8, at least for team driven trucks.
Let’s see, we did the split sleeper thing from around 1939 on up thru the end of the last century and now they seem to think they need to do a “study” on it as if it is some sort of new idea. Probably as some insane cost since the gooberment can’t seem to do anything for less than $100K anymore. It should not be surprising to anyone why this country is in the mess it is when we got what passes for an insane asylum running it.
God no, the split sleeper just let’s companies run you day and night with no full nights sleep for days on end. It’s not natural. If you can switch days to nights and back in two days time and get sleep on demand, then I suppose it’s no problem. For us normal people though…it sucks. Hard.
The photo,here, doesn’t constitute a legal “sleeper berth” scenario. A driver actually has to be in the bunk to log “sleeper berth”.A driver can not use “sleeper berth” operating a truck not outfitted with a bunk.Just sayin’.
Well I will like to know what FMCSA and Mr President think about the medical doctors that kill more people than wars plus it’s all about rules for truck drivers but nobody talks about a pay increase for drivers it’s sad.. I been doing this for 25years I lost track of the millions of miles I have under my belt with an impeccable record but no one talk about us the hard safe rd runners I think it’s time to saddle and enjoy my…✌✌
Even when you say you are asleep you may not be.Drivers should be asked to keep a journal where they write down where they actually slept.where and for how long. Common sense stuff. Add being paid for all not driving work being performed as a requirement for companies. Hourly driving pay also. This would all cut down on tired drivers trying to keep the wheels turning to make money.
Back when fatigue was first being discussed and the 10hr break was but a gleam in FMCSA’s pocketbook, Parants Against Tired Trucker (PATT) came up with the correct answer to the problem. Their solution was an hourly wage and 12on/12off, regardless of what the driver was doing during their On Duty status. Drivers went batshit crazy because it was PATT’s solution and we were too stupid to want paid for all the off the clock work we did. “Not enough hours” drivers screamed, “Not enough flexibility” companies cried, “Not enough eff the drivers” the government pouted. So the solution was 14/10 with the 34 hr restart which set the ball rolling to required 30 by the 8hr mark, ELOGS, the coming driver facing cameras, and eventually so few trained monkeys willing to do the job that it become automated. So much for truck drivers.
They won’t have to keep a journal of when they actually sleep. Didn’t you read all the electronic stuff the driver will be wearing to detect ‘actual sleep’?
I thinking is too far gone if it keeps going DOWN the road it is now on , I’m really trying to find a better way of living living , too bad I love driving , the whole industry is something I would encourage people to very careful of !
Like the FMCSA gives a damn what drivers think. Don’t even waste your time…
Had less accidents back when you could do 5/5
I like the idea of split sleeper berth option for everyone, especially teams. These current one size fits all rules don’t work well as a team. The 5/5 or other options would be great.
To Ron you do not sound like a driver. Keep a log really. What do you think a log book is dummy. I must agree with you Jonny, they will make their decision on their own thoughts.
Split sleeper is a necessity if you want to implement e logs. Also there should be some flexibility on GPS positioning, like 50 mile radius doesn’t count violation. And 1 hr time to find parking after you are kicked off company’s premises by their security after delivery or pickup. No matter in what duty status you are. You got 50 mile radius and 1hr. Same rule should be implemented for “before delivery” You can park outside the company in 50 mile radius than wake up and go for your delivery appointment no matter what status of duty your log book is in. 50 miles 1hr drive doesnt count violation Never ever.
Also “no parking” signs, should be prohibited from at least industrial areas and near big company’s. Allot of them dont let you in up until 1hr before appointment. And they can’t let you in they just gonna be clogged. So the closest I can park to the company is the better. But often you cant find any street without “no parking” sign or truck stop in 30 mile radius. Plus truck stops are packed at night. Also total sleep time should be reduced to 8 hrs, why grown ass man needs to sleep like New born baby? And hours of service expanded to 16. Driving hours to 14 or 13. Than no body would quit trucking. Otherwise Even if no body’s gonna quit and all drivers start driving with ELDs by same rules it’s either gone be transportation collapse in the country right away if every body 100% obey logs. Or permanent transportation collapse in a little while after companys get shut down or bancrupt, from paying much fines due to log violations.
Does anyone know the meaning of “deregulation”?.
All we get now is govt refs. If they r gonna stick their nose in our “logging” business then they need to stick it ALL of the trucking biz. Including brokers, shippers, receivers, state DOT practices, states that refuse to address the parking issues, etc. And not just a 2 yr “blow smoke up our arse” think tank BS..
I started in 1979, & enjoyed every minute of my career choice & did up until around 1992 when CDL became mandatory & all these “schools” began churning out these half raised idiots with a CDL in their pocket & not a damn clue about this industry.
I’m a grown man and no when I need to sleep & I will, no matter what a dispatcher has to say about it.
We can’t get 3 drivers to agree whether a chicken house is open or locked up. We have the largest industry in the nation & if we only would stand together for once, we could change all this BS going on. But no one can see past theirselves & their wants.
Used to be, if a driver was broke down, a minimum of two trucks would stop to help, now u can’t get drivers to move over a lane. They put their bright lights on after you pass, knowing your looking in the mirror. Take showers while parked on fuel islands. When is the last time you had a decent conversation on the CB, EXACTLY, I don’t even put one in a truck anymore.
Ok, guess I’ve vented enough.
People be safe, be kind & be respectful to one another-WE ARE ALL WE GOT!!
For the love of God just reduce 70 to 50 hours a week. Very few drivers these days get anywhere near 3000 miles a week. The average seems to be more along the lines of 2000 or less. For those miles no one needs 70 hours. All 70 hours does is gives shippers/receivers an almost unlimited amount of time to waste.