File photo
HOS

ATRI promotes importance of greater HOS flexibility

Aug. 29, 2018
Trucking fleets could save at least $150 million in annual operational costs and 2.3 million driving hours if provided additional hours-of-service flexibility.

Trucking fleets could save at least $150 million in annual operational costs and 2.3 million driving hours if provided additional hours-of-service flexibility.

Those were the findings of a new study from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI).

“No two trips are the same; even with identical origins and destinations,” ATRI said in the report. “The opportunity for a driver to adapt to changing conditions and congestion levels throughout a day is critical, and could be greatly enhanced with the addition of flexible sleeper berth rules to the current HOS regulations.”

The study comes a week after the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration opened a public comment period regarding several potential changes to the existing HOS rules.

ATRI focused on a congested 40-mile stretch of urban highway in Atlanta. Using GPS data, it compared the current split rest break of 8 and 2 hour increments, with a more flexible 6 and 4 hour split.

The research showed the time it took to travel the route ranged from a low of 40 minutes to over 90 minutes during rush hours, a more than doubling of driving time and related operational costs.

Expanding that out to a larger 585-mile trip, the driver could avoid congestion, and save 45 minutes. Similar results were also found for 7/3 and 5/5 split scenarios, ATRI said.

ATRI said if only 25 trips per day avoided congestion, truckers would drive 4,700 fewer hours annually. For a fleet with 25 trucks, savings would be over $300,000 per year.

About the Author

Fleet Owner Staff

Our Editorial Team

Kevin Jones, Editorial Director, Commercial Vehicle Group

Cristina Commendatore, Executive Editor

Scott Achelpohl, Managing Editor 

Josh Fisher, Senior Editor

Catharine Conway, Digital Editor

Eric Van Egeren, Art Director

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Boost truck leasing profits with telematics insights! Reduce maintenance costs, improve uptime, and strengthen customer relationships. Learn how data drives success.
This free guide outlines simple steps for hiring and onboarding commercial drivers while ensuring that you meet Regulation Part 391 and maintain fully compliant driver qualification...
Ready to boost fleet efficiency by up to 50%? Learn how AI-powered dispatch and next-gen tech are transforming TMS workflows, improving driver planning, and streamlining operations...
Gain a strategic edge in today’s evolving fleet landscape. Join us to explore how fuel cards are helping fleet managers cut costs, enhance control, and prepare for an electrified...