As part of ongoing research on the impact of driver detention, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute is asking for 60 carriers to participate in a study funded by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association.
Basics of the driver detention study
The purpose of this study, according to VTTI, is to better understand driver detention, what causes it, and its impact on the industry. The study will consist of three main stages:
- Collect data on driver detention time, and analyze that data to determine the frequency and severity of detention time.
- Assess the use of intelligent transportation system solutions to measure detention time.
- Prepare a report that summarizes the findings, answers research questions, and offers strategies to reduce detention.
How will the study go?
According to VTTI, 60-80 carriers will participate in a data collection effort with a combined 2,500 trucks. Twelve months' worth of data will be collected. There will be minimal fleet management interaction and limited driver interactions through the dispatching device to minimize burden.
Carriers will receive individualized consulting reports on the impacts of detention time on their safety and operations. Some carriers will also be interviewed to collect qualitative data to help understand the impact of driver detention time on safety and operations.
All participating carriers will remain anonymous to the public and FMCSA.
See also: FMCSA provides updates to driver compensation, detention time studies at MATS
Who is needed for the study?
Overall, VTTI is seeking providers of transportation management systems, telematics service providers, and motor carriers to participate in this study.
For interviews, VTTI is looking for carriers that fit in one or more of the following categories:
- Carrier size: 1 to 10 power units, 11 to 100 power units, or more than 100 power units.
- Carrier business type: For hire, private, or a combination of both.
- Carrier operational type: Truckload, less-than-truckload, or specialized
- Carrier commodity type: Dry van, refrigerated, tanker, flatbed, or intermodal.
Interested parties can email [email protected] to learn more.
Why is driver detention being studied?
Driver detention refers to holding a driver and truck at the dock for more than two hours while loading or unloading. According to VTTI, two-thirds of drivers experience detention time each month. These delays can negatively affect trucking operations and supply chain efficiency in addition to a driver’s on-duty time.
Previous FMCSA studies have focused on driver detention time, but the 2014 and 2018 studies included critical data gaps, according to FMCSA. Specifically, the previous studies estimated overall wait times but were unable to separate normal loading and unloading times from detention times.
